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

Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The December 28 Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Captain America:  Steve Rogers #8-#9:  The problem with Maria Hill's Jack Nicholson moment here -- as she pitches the idea of the a planetary defense shield to save her from getting ousted as the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. -- is that she never explains why she's the only person capable of building it.  If S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists were the ones who invented it, Sharon Carter could just as easily build the Shield, couldn't she?  My main issue right now is that I don't also want to have to start reading "Thunderbolts" to understand everything happening here.  For example, in issue #8, Steve wants to use the new Quasar to get in touch with Bucky, but it isn't clear why he does.  Presumably I'd understand if I were reading "Thunderbolts," but I can't read every series on the shelves, Marvel.

Civil War II #8:  I honestly don't know if the ending here is brilliant or the greatest cop-out of all time.  In the end, Ulysses "ascends," becoming a celestial being.  Before he does so, he confirms -- with his newfound insight -- that he really was seeing multiple futures, not a linear one.  However, no one seems to care Tony was proven correct.  Carol is somehow seen as the winner, despite beating Tony into a coma as he (correctly) tried to save Miles from her.  In fact, Beast tells Carol that Tony himself didn't see the issue as one between him and Carol:  he trusted Carol to use Ulysses' visions responsibly, but he didn't trust the person after her to do so.  I don't really buy that, to be honest.  Tony didn't believe Ulysses' visions were actionable, period; it didn't matter who interpreted them.  But, I guess it doesn't matter because Tony's in a coma.  In the end, Ulysses was the MacGuffin he always seemed to be.  The only real outcome of this event is the launch of "Champions," and I can't say that development alone was worth the $30+ I spent on this series.

Extraordinary X-Men #17:  For all the faults of the main series, Lemire does a great job here of showing us Storm's path to war:  she realizes she has to act after holding the hand of little girl who idolized her as she dies of M-Pox.  Despite the fact that the science driving this war has always been poorly explained, Lemire helps us move past that point.  He encourages us just to buy what he and Soule are selling:  the X-Men have to fight this war for survival.  I don't care about the Inhumans, so I'm not collecting any of their series.  As such, I don't know how they're spinning their side.  But, it's hard to see how they'd argue their religious beliefs justify the extermination of a race and the death of a girl, as we see here.  That's always been the other problem with this event, but I guess I have to get past that part, too.

Mighty Thor #14:  Just in case we didn't think Malekith was enough of an asshole, he burns Alfheim to the ground  and maims Queen Aelsa in this issue.  Yeah, he's a dick.  Jane pledges the League of Realms will end the War of Realms in its favor but, honestly, it's hard to see betting against Malekith at this point. 

Prowler #3:  I can't say I understand why Electro (Electra?) has singled out Hobie for abuse, other than the possibility she's just a bully.  But, it makes for an entertaining fight.  But, my real question is why Hobie believes he can only ever rely on himself when he's saved by Julia at the end of the issue.  Is it supposed to show us he's barely conscious and unaware of what she's doing?  Otherwise, it sounds pretty ungrateful, to say the least. 

Spider-Man #10:  I waited to read this issue until I had read "Civil War II" #8, since I had heard online that it spoiled that issue.  (Sometimes it's good to have a several week backlog of issues.)  Having now read it, two things struck me.  First, Bendis really does get Miles.  I mean, it makes sense, since he created Miles.  But, he delivers a really moving portrait of a young man struggling to be a better person than he thinks he is.  Miles is worried he's going to go the way of his father and uncle, and he confesses to his friends that he struggles with murderous impulses every time he fights.  It's a reminder of how young he is and how you want someone like Luke Cage or Peter Parker to take him under his wing to explain how normal that is, that his concern over those feelings is what makes him a good person.  But, I was also struck by how terribly Marvel has screwed up "Civil War II."  If you read this issue, you would believe Tony Stark died at the end of "Civil War II."  He doesn't, but you'd think he did.  It's not exactly service to the reader to preemptively spoil the ending of another series, only for said spoiling not actually happening.

Also Read:  Black Panther #9; Mighty Captain Marvel #0; Spider-Man #11; Star Wars #26; Uncanny Avengers #18

Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The November 30 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Batman Annual #1:  This issue is mostly fine, with stories of varying levels of quality about Christmas.  (The origin story of Ace is probably the best of the bunch.)  But, the last story is bizarre.  Someone named Haunter escapes from Arkham, but it's never totally clear how her powers work.  We just learn she uses your D.N.A. to kill you.  Scarecrow has created a diversion for Batman to help her escape, but we're never really told what their plan is.  Bruce eventually paralyzes them temporarily with a nerve gas.  However, he not only threatens to leave them to freeze to death, but also to break their jaws while they're paralyzed.  I have no idea how this one slipped through the cracks, but it felt like someone took grimdark Batman a little too far.

Extraordinary X-Men #16:  It wasn't until after I finished this issue that I found myself scratching my head.  During it, I was totally sucked into the excitement Lemire created as the two separate storylines we've been following over the last few issues merge.  Nightcrawler decides to free Apocalypse in exchange for de-Horseman-ing Colossus as Magik tries to free Sapna from the World Eater's control.  In the end, Nightcrawler hurls a freed Apocalypse into the void the World Eater created and Magik is forced to kill Sapna to sever her link with the World Eater.  Lemire and Ibañez do an amazing job of capturing the chaos happening in X-Haven as we approach those conclusions; it's definitely a page-turner.  But, upon reflection, I find myself wondering what actually happened.  The World Eater brags about destroying dozens of worlds and  leaving a lot of dead wizards in his wake.  But, Illyana easily severs his link with Sapna without any explanation why the Soul Sword is able to do what all those wizards weren't able to do.  Also, what exactly did Nightcrawler do to Apocalypse?  Did he kill him?  Don't the X-Men not kill?  Did he hurl him into space and time?  Isn't that a bit...reckless?  I mean, it was pretty reckless of Storm to bring Apocalypse to the present, so I'm not saying it's all Nightcrawler's fault.  But, it's clearly a loose end that the X-Men are going to have to resolve at a future point.  Overall, though, I'm still mostly happy with the way this series is going, even though Lemire seemed to wave his hands in front of the chalkboard a bit here.

IvX #0:  I can't remember being less excited about an event than this one.  After the disastrous "Death of X," I'm reading this series under duress.  Soule does what he can, but it's impossible to shake the feeling he's working under orders, forced to sell a conflict that stems simply from an editorial mandate.  In terms of the actual story (and not my continued whining), Hank discovers the Terrigen Mists affect each mutant differently.  That's problematic because it means he's not looking for a cure, but an individual cure for every mutant.  As if that challenge wasn't difficult enough, he then discovers the Mists are becoming absorbed into the environment.  To complicate matters, Hank overhears a conversation Medusa has with the other Inhuman leaders, implying she accepts the inevitability of war with the mutants.  Hank asks Ororo to convene all the mutant leaders on Muir Island, seemingly a prelude to war.  Meanwhile, Emma has developed her own plan of attack over the course of these past eight months.  If you can get past the editorial fiat making this fight necessary, Soule does a solid job of setting up the conflict.  My only gripe is the truly bizarre behavior of the Beast at the start.  Iso expresses her surprise at how chipper he is as they begin to research the Mists' impact on mutants, and he explain that he's just excited to engage in S-C-I-E-N-C-E.  I mean, sure, you had all that death and horror, but S-C-I-E-N-C-E!  I have to invoke pet peeve #3 here, since having a character concede to his bizarre behavior doesn't excuse the author from having him behave this way in the first place.

Justice League of America #9-#10:  Hitch seems to rush the end of this story, which seems weird, given the ample amount of time he had to conclude it.  In the end, we never really get an answer about the true nature of the Infinity Corporation:  who they are, what they want, how they have powers.  Moreover, the Justice League itself doesn't really win; the Stones turn to Justin (from the Infinity Corporation) over Rao, allowing the younger Rao to kill the older one.  Again, it would've been nice to understand why Justin wound up having more influence over the Stones than Rao, particularly given my suspicion that they're the same set of stones.  But, compared to the stories he's currently telling in "Justice League," Hitch still delivers a solid performance here.  I felt the awe we're supposed to feel when Rao pulls ancient Krypton into Earth's orbit, and young Rao inspiring Green Lantern to act, even though he's only one man standing against hundreds of thousands of Kryptonian warriors, feels particularly relevant these days.  It's just a shame that this arc -- probably the most creative "Justice League" story since the DCnU started -- got short-changed in the end.

Star Wars Annual #2:  This issue would've felt meaningful when it was published before Carrie Fisher died, but it takes on all new meaning now.  Leia inspires a young woman, Pash, to join the Rebellion after she impulsively saves Leia's life.  But, the real highlight is Leia's meditation on Alderaan.  Pash tells Leia she doesn't like her because of Alderaan, because she allowed all those people to sacrifice themselves in her name.  Leia says it's always why people don't like her and then talks about how it's worse than Pash thinks:  she not only knows those people died for her and her dream, but she also knows she'd do it all over again if she had the chance.  That's some powerful stuff right there.  Pash comes to view Leia as the embodiment of hope, and I can't say, with the loss of Carrie Fisher and some of that hope, she's wrong.

Also Read:  Ms. Marvel #13; New Avengers #18

Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The September 28 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Captain America:  Steve Rogers #5:  This issue is unexpectedly very relevant to the plot of "Civil War II," though I'm not sure where it leaves us.  Although I'm sure a similar theme has been covered in the "Iron Man" series, it's actually the first time I've seen a real exploration into the nature of Ulysses' powers.  First, Cap and Dr. Selvig realize the danger Ulysses' visions pose to their plans, since he could obviously discover Steve's allegiance to HYDRA.  However, they also recognize Ulysses seems to prioritize global-level threats and seem to assume Steve's duplicity would be low on that list.  (It's again why I'm not buying the events of the "Ms. Marvel" tie-in issues, because I don't really think Ulysses is spending all his time trying to identify who plans on robbing a liquor store in Jersey City before the prom.)  Selvig sends some "research" to Bruce Banner, and it provokes the vision that kicks off "Civil War II."  Moreover, Cap's membership in HYDRA means he knows Ulysses' prediction that the woman Captain Marvel arrested for trying to take down the global financial system was wrong:  she wasn't working for HYDRA.  (This part is a little unclear, though.  Steve asks the Skull if she could've been working for an independent cell, but the Skull refuses to recognize that such a cell could escape his notice.  But, of course, Steve's cell exists, so it sort of casts some doubt on the certainty of the Skull's conclusion.)  If you accept the events of this issue are true, then it's impossible to believe Carol's side of the argument, since Steve has proven Ulysses' visions can be manipulated and also incorrect.  It reminds me of "Death of the Family," where the tie-in issues made it clear the Joker knew the Bat-family's identities, but the main issues supported Bruce's insistence that he didn't.  It casts an even greater shadow over an event that I already find to be poorly plotted.

Extraordinary X-Men #14:  It's pretty clear Lemire knows where he's going, though I'll admit it feels like the falcon is getting too far from the falconer.  It stands to reason the two stories he's been telling over the last few issues will converge, but it's hard to see how Sapna and her mysterious benefactor will combine with Apocalypse and a Horseman-ed Colossus.  Lemire ups the ante here even further by introducing concepts like the World Eater (presumably Sapna's benefactor) and the Lattice (presumably the system of portals Sapna manipulates).  As I said, I'm confident Lemire is in charge of the narrative, so I'm not overly worried.  But, hopefully he won't drag out this story too much longer.

Ms. Marvel #11:  The best tie-in issues are the ones where the main event provokes changes in the character's life.  Willow delivers that in spades here, as a paralyzed Bruno tells Kamala he never wants to speak to her again (and announces he's moving to Wakanda) and Ms. Marvel ruptures her relationship with Carol over "predictive justice."  (Willow also gets in an amazing shot at the premise of "Civil War II," as one of the minor characters tells Ms. Marvel she should watch "Minority Report.")  Nothing here is easily fixable.  Under normal comic rules, Bruno would get some sort of neural implant that magically heals him, and we're never talk about his paralysis again.  The entire incident would just be forgotten, part of the group's usual shenanigans.  But, Bruno has finally decided the consequences outweigh the benefits, not only because his accident lost him scholarships but because Kamala doesn't seem to care.  Kamala doesn't really argue with him, and she ends the issue with no one standing by her side (not Bruno, not Carol).  The image on the cover for next issues shows her on a journey of self-discovery, and it doesn't feel like a random "NEW DIRECTION!" arc like Babs' does in "Batgirl."  Willow makes it clear why such a journey is necessary at this point, and I'm intrigued to see where Kamala goes, physically and mentally.

Star Wars #23:  Han and Leia as a couple are obviously an icon of the Star Wars universe, even more so after "Star Wars:  The Force Awakens."  However, Aaron tweaks that status here, giving us an insight into the experiences of everyone surrounding the couple during the time period where they aren't actually a couple.  Han and Leia's race to the bridge to see who gets to be captain is childish in many ways, from leaving such an important role to chance to forcing Luke and Sana to deal with a threat that presents itself during their race.  But, Aaron uses it brilliantly, showing us the awkward period where Han and Leia haven't admitted their feelings to each other while also allowing other characters -- such as Luke and Sana -- to shine.  Although it might elicit some raised eyebrows on the ship (and from the readers), it's a reminder these characters are human and not just icons.

Titans #3:  I don't have too much to say here other than noting Abnett seemed to confirm here that Kadabra is from the future but also a victim of Dr. Manhattan's machinations.  He knows Wally and Linda should know one another but don't and that Dr. Manhattan is behind it.  Abnett has Kadabra claim he threw Wally into the timestream, but Dick isn't buying it, a sign it's probably not true.  I have to wonder though how much truth we're going to get since DC doesn't seem to be in a hurry to address the Dr. Manhattan situation.

Also Read:  Batgirl #3; Bloodshot Reborn #17; Captain America:  Sam Wilson #13; Captain Marvel #9; Detective Comics #941; New Avengers #16; Spider-Gwen #12

Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The July 27 Everything Else Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

I'm current!  Hurrah!

All-New, All-Different Avengers #12:  Waid spends this issue driving home the point that the team is starting to act like one, as each member takes a turn fighting Annihilus in the Negative Zone.  But, it's Vision immediately finding the second Nega-Band to switch places with Miles that got me.  For too long, authors have written Vision as little more than a robot, unrecognizable from his days with the West Coast Avengers.  Waid uses this moment of loyalty and selflessness to remind us why he's been such an enduring character for so long.

Black Panther #4:  I could really just read Ramonda arguing with Changamire every issue.  Changamire believes himself to be morally superior to the kings and refuses to provide information on the Great Mound massacre to Ramonda, asserting that he won't do the work of her agents.  In other words, he's the pacifist who relies on others to keep him safe and refuses to acknowledge that.  But, Ramonda isn't having any of it, lecturing him that philosophy never built a well or fed a child.  Changamire laments a lack of wisdom in Wakanda and the fact that it was supposed to be a "Golden City."  However, he provides no roadmap on how to make it so.  As we learn, even his pupil, Tetu, has resorted to Zeke Stane providing him (I think) with the technology that grants him his powers.  How will Changamire feel about that?  He is essentially alone atop the hill.  That said, Coates doesn't make it that simple, as we're also seeing the results of Ramonda being too operational.  After all, her by-the-book condemnation of Aneka inspired the revolution that she and Ayo are now leading.  The fact that I haven't even mentioned T'Challa yet in this review just shows what a complex and detailed story Coates is weaving.

Captain America:  Steve Rogers #3:  Spencer ups the ante in this issue, as we settle into the reality that Kobik has rewritten Steve's history to make him a HYDRA sleeper agent.  Here, Darth Steve communicates via hologram with an Emperor-like Red Skull, explaining his success in killing Baron Zemo and Dr. Selvig (after sending their jet into a building) but acknowledging his failure to eliminate Jack Flag.  The Skull obviously orders Steve to take out Flag, but Spencer shows that Steve is bucking his programming:  he crushes the communications device and then asks Dr. Selvig, revealed to be alive, if he's ready to do what needs to be done.  That said, we don't know what Steve thinks needs to be done.  Does he think that the Skull lacks honor?  (He mentions that he was upset that the Skull's plan wouldn't let Flag have a proper funeral and that he tried to save the agent sent to blow up the train because he felt that it was the waste of a good agent.)  Even if he's rebelling against the Red Skull because he doesn't agree with his methods, he is still likely seeing HYDRA as a tool to take down S.H.I.E.L.D.  In other words, we're not wrapping up this story quite yet.

Extraordinary X-Men #12:  The "Apocalypse Wars" have been...odd.  They were seemingly billed as a cross-over event, but the three series involved in the "event" never actually connected.  "All-New X-Men" told the story of Evan trying to save En Sabah Nur in the past, "Uncanny X-Men" told some sort of story about Archangel and Warren in the present, and this title focused on stopping Apocalypse in the future.  However, Lemire seems almost to run out the clock quicker than he expected.  Storm is forced to bring a dying Apocalypse to the present with the team to save Colossus, but Apocalypse transports Colossus into Clan Akkaba's clutches.  However, it's unclear when this Clan Akkaba exists.  Plus, I'm really, really, really tired of Colossus always playing the patsy.  First it was Juggernaut then it was Phoenix and now it's Apocalypse.  Enough.  Really.  We also get some dark vision of a future that Sapna creates when she breaks bad, but I'm really struggling to care about that story.  It might be interesting on its own, but Illyana's tutoring of her in magic has been mostly a distraction.  I'd rather Lemire have taken the time to tie up the Colossus story before leaping into yet another story about an apocalyptic future.

Mighty Thor #9:  I don't remember the Silver Samurai being anywhere near as cool of a villain as he is here, but I invite him to return as often as he wants!  He's particularly awesome considering that he's part of the Sinister Six (or so) that Aaron has assembled here, working with Oubliette to learn all of Dario's secrets.  In fact, this issue is all about excellent pairings:  Jane and Roz are a fun (and tense) duo looking to save New York from the Agger Imperative, and Dario and Oubliette hate each other so much I expect that they'll be dating when the dust settles.  We've been a little wobbly in this series lately, but I think Aaron is at his best when he leaves behind the Asgard shenanigans and focuses on Jane operating in the real world.

Also Read:  Uncanny Avengers #11

Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The June 29 Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Black Panther #3:  Man, T'Challa just can't catch a break.  On one hand, he finally tracks down Tetu, but he seems to have become one with at least some part of Wakanda, displaying control over trees and the like.  Continuing on that theme, Shuri is encouraged in the afterlife to remember that Wakanda was great before it had vibranium.  Coates definitely seems to be telling a story where all the characters involved will need to get in touch with the Wakanda that was and use that connection to try to defeat each other.  Meanwhile, the Midnight Angels have realized that they need to form their own army of the women who they save to stop the White Gorilla Army.  Will T'Challa and Tetu take out each other, leaving Aneka and Ayo to step into the void?  Will Shuri return to find Wakanda destroyed by civil war?  I guess we'll see.

Captain America:  Steve Rogers #2:  Spencer goes down the route that I expected him to take, revealing that Kobik sought out the Skull after her "birth" and he used her to create Steve's "new" past as a loyal servant of HYDRA.  Spencer even goes one better, showing that "Avengers Standoff" was all part of the Skull's larger plan.  In so doing, he actually improves on that event, explaining some of its weaker moments (even though it was already a pretty solid event).  I know a lot of people were upset after the first issue, but I feel pretty comfortable now.  I'm hoping that Spencer doesn't make the mistake that Slott did with Spider-Ock, drawing out the story longer than he should.  But, I could see Spencer going with a year-long arc similar to what Remender did with Dimension Z.  If he does that successfully, we really will be in a golden age of "Captain America."

Captain Marvel #6:  This issue is fairly important to the overall story that we're seeing unfold in "Civil War II," because it sheds some light on why Carol takes the position that she's taken in this event.  First, the Alpha Flight Board -- led, of course, by Henry Gyrich -- calls her on the carpet for the last-minute save that she and Alpha Flight managed against the Satori (as far as they know).  Gyrich compares it unfavorably to the Avengers' commanding defeat of the Celestial with limited damage.  Carol alludes to the Inhumans' ability to predict the future in explaining the Avengers' success, though doesn't directly mention Ulysses.  The Board orders her to collaborate with the Inhumans, and she decides to do so after she fails to prevent Dr. Minerva from killing a group of townspeople with one of her experiments.  (She overlooks the fact that she saved everyone else in the town, though Minerva did manage to escape.)  The Gages show us that Carol's decision to employ Ulysses is grounded firmly in these losses.  That said, I still don't agree with her.  She's playing a little fast and loose with the truth at times in her conversation with the Board, and she's really only paying lip-service to Tony's worry that they're putting way too much faith in Ulysses.  It's clearly all going to end in tears.

Extraordinary X-Men #11:  We're at the endgame here, as Kurt and Storm face Apocalypse while the rest of the team fights the Horsemen.  The interesting part is that Kurt has gone totally over the edge.  Moon Knight (one of the Horsemen) even comments on it, telling him that he's almost as crazy as Marc Spector was.  Lemire shows us how true that is when Kurt kills Moon Knight.  Surprisingly, Storm doesn't comment on that.  Is it because it's the future, so it's not really killing people?  Lemire doesn't say.  It isn't until Kurt kills Apocalypse in a rage over him destroying the embryos that Storm sees fit to comment, but then only because Omega World begins to collapse without Apocalypse supporting it.  Beyond Kurt and Storm's sudden comfort with murder, the most interesting part of this issue for me is that the heroes lose:  Apocalypse does destroy the embryos.  It makes sense from a narrative perspective, since I think it would've been a little difficult to suddenly have the X-Men raising 600 babies.  But, it's rare that we see the heroes lose, and I'm intrigued to see how Lemire handles the fallout from that, assuming they all survive.

Spider-Man #5:  As I've mentioned before, this series is the first time that I'm following Miles Morales.  As such, I don't really know much about his supporting cast.  That becomes particularly relevant in this issue, because I'm not sure if the revelation that his father was a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent is news just to me or if it's news to everyone.  Either way, Jefferson is now in some form of cahoots with Maria Hill without Miles' knowledge, and, in my experience, nothing good comes from being in some form of cahoots with Hill.  I wonder what Jefferson has promised in exchange for S.H.I.E.L.D. protecting Miles.  That said, he's not wrong that Miles needs the help:  it's only through S.H.I.E.L.D. wiping all record of him from all databases that prevents the Black Cat and Hammerhead from learning his identity.  Moving onto Miles, his use of a souped up venom blast to take out everyone is one of the cooler moments I've seen in comics in a while.  I was right proud of him, as I was when he later confronted the Black Cat with nary a hint of fear.  Pichelli does a really outstanding job of conveying this grit in his confrontation with Felicia:  even she saw the anger in him and knew that it wasn't time for a fight.  This entire sequence reminds us how brave and driven Miles is.  It's a good thing that he is, because he's now also got Jennifer Jones on his tail, after his grandmother hires her to figure out his coming and goings.  He's going to need all his cleverness and smarts to stay one step ahead of the now legions of people after him.

Uncanny X-Men #9:  Bunn has really lost me here, to be honest.  I get that Genocide is using his Angel's wings to create a "death flight" of Angels.  Angel comments how he agreed to submit to having his wings removed because he could feel the evil in them, so I'm assuming that his feather wings will become the metallic ones when placed on the members of Death Flight.  I still don't understand what plans Magneto has for Psylocke, but I assume that we'll get there.  But, the part that has me the most confused is Archangel's arrival.  First, he arrives with an entire squad of Archangels.  How did that happen?  He has his own Death Flight?  But, also, I don't get why the inhabitants of the town -- all seemingly mesmerized as servants of Clan Akkaba -- are so excited about his arrival.  They have their own Angel.  Why do they need an Archangel, too?  In other words, I am seriously confused. 

Also Read:  All-New, All-Different Avengers #11; Spider-Gwen Annual #1; Uncanny X-Men #9

Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The April 20 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Dragon Age:  Magekiller #5:  Given that the other blog that I write is about "Dragon Age," I was obviously excited about this miniseries.  I was particularly excited that it was set in Tevinter.  As I said in my review of the first issue, I figured that it might be a prelude for the upcoming "Dragon Age 4."  After the second issue, it seemed clear that Rucka would use Marius as his tool to introduce us to the Imperium, particularly through exploring Marius' past a slave.  Then...we just didn't do that.  The characters are somewhat awkwardly brought to the attention of the Inquisition in the third issue, revealing that the series actually takes place during the game.  I barely remember the fourth issue, other than its forced introduction of a relationship between Tessa and Charter, seemingly done solely to introduce doubt into Tessa's mind about her relationship with Marius.  This issue is entirely focused on those doubts, as Marius and Tessa play a minor role in the Inquisitor's eventual confrontation with Corypheus.  Instead of showing us unseen parts of an unexplored continent and delving into the history of the series' main characters, Rucka leaves us with little more than a coda to the game and a not very interesting one at that.  The squandered potential here really leaves me bummed.

Extraordinary X-Men #9:  I don't have too much to say about this issue, since, after all, not a lot happens:  Anole, Ernst, Glob Herman, and No-Girl are forced to wander through the six lands that remain in post-Apocalyptic Earth as they try to find a way to contact the X-Men.  But, I have to give Lemire props for characterization and imagination.  On the latter, we learn that Apocalypse found these six lands -- including Atlantis and Wakanda -- worthy and preserved them in bubbles; everything else on Earth is gone.  It's a clever twist on Apocalypse's "survival of the fittest" mantra; I didn't think it was even remotely possible to add anything new to Apocalypse stories, so I take off my hat to Lemire for finding something.  But, this issue is really made by the conversation that the kids have on the raft, with Anole and Glob Herman lamenting that they'll likely never get a chance to ask out their crushes (Striker and Jean Grey, respectively) as Ernst wishes that they could just go home.  The kids wind up stuck in the bubble worlds for a year, and Lemire and Ramos show us how much more experienced and powerful they are at the end of it.  But, it's this conversation on the raft that reminds us that they're just kids, making where they are at the end of the issue all the more impressive (and sad).

Also Read:  All-New Hawkeye #6; Bloodshot Reborn #12; Captain America - Sam Wilson #8; Captain Marvel #4; Mighty Thor #6; New Avengers #10

Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The February 17 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Amazing Spider-Man #8:  I don't know how Slott's managing it, but this series keeps getting worse and worse with each issue.  First, we have pet peeve #1 in full effect here, with the intro page informing us that Ling is Peter's girlfriend.  (I mean, sure, she was feeding him dumplings a few issues ago, but it's exactly the fact that she hadn't been introduced as his girlfriend that made that sequence so weird.)  But, to make matters even worse, Peter is totally happy to overlook her being both the Parker Industries mole and trying to kill him simply because she was doing it to save her mom.  Hopefully he'll extend that same courtesy to the reformulated Sinister Six when they eventually attack him under the direction of the mysterious guy bringing back their families.  After all, they'll just be doing it for their families.  Also, Slott doesn't even bother explaining why Ling didn't feel comfortable asking her genius boyfriend running a cutting-edge bio-technology firm to help with her mother's illness.  [Sigh.]

Batman and Robin Eternal #20:  Aha!  I was wondering how Mother was somehow going to get control of the children of the world, but it makes total sense that she'd use Spyral's Somnus satellite to broadcast the Ichthys virus around the world.  Given how "Batman Eternal" discovered new and improved ways to defy logic, I can't believe that this revelation makes so much...sense.

Extraordinary X-Men #7:  It's interesting that Sunfire helped Scott do...whatever it is that he did.  That said, it's still unclear to me if the public thinks that whatever it is that Cyclops and Sunfire did caused the M-Pox (or the "cloud cancer") or if it's something else entirely.  I guess we'll see.

Mighty Thor #4:  OK, we have a full rebound here.  Between Freya's diatribe against Odin and Thor's amazing entry onto the scene here, I can't wait to see what the ladies do to show Odin just how much the patriarchy is done and done.

Also Read:  Avengers Standoff:  Welcome to Pleasant Hill #1; Dragon Age:  Magekiller #3; Star Wars #16

Extraordinary X-Men #5 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Lemire gets to the point pretty quickly here, though the catch -- that "Cyclops" is actually a clone that Sinister created from Scott's DNA -- is spoiled in a great example of pet peeve #1.

Once the X-Men realize that they're not dealing with Scott, the battle gets easier.  The clone begins to lose corporal coherence and Jean discovers that it isn't capable of actual thought, allowing the team to change its goal to destroying it humanely.  As the fight spills onto the street, it thrusts the X-Men into the open, seemingly for the first time in a while.  But, it also gives them the opportunity to show that they're the good guys.  Bobby frees an Inhuman trapped under a bus; when the kid says that he was afraid Bobby wouldn't help him because he was an Inhuman, Bobby tells him that he'd save him because he was an X-Man.  Meanwhile, Sinister comes to the conclusion that mutantkind is doomed, since the Inhuman DNA in the clone seems more dominant than the mutant DNA.  Eventually, the clone explodes.  Storm then addresses the crowd, telling them that they have nothing to fear from mutantkind; she reminds them that it's mutantkind, not humans, that are dying from the Terrigen Mists.  She offers all mutants and their families sanctuary at X-Haven, and pledges to help anyone in the world -- human, Inhuman, or mutant -- that needs it.  However, she also makes it clear that the X-Men will defend themselves (and mutantkind) if attacked.  The X-Men return home, where Anole tells them that all sorts of mutants have contacted them and Forge says that Maria Hill has offered S.H.I.E.L.D.'s help.  The issue closes with Jean convincing Logan to join the X-Men full-time.

All in all, it's a solid ending for this first arc.  I can't say that I was particularly moved by Storm's speech, but that has less to do with Lemire and more to do with the fact that we've seen countless X-Men leaders deliver a similar one over the last 30 or 40 years.  But, it does seem to put the legacy of "Secret Wars" firmly behind us:  the X-Men are no longer in hiding and scattered.  We finish this arc with them reassembled with a clear purpose, to save mutantkind.  It's a pretty good jumping-off point, even if we're still not clear on what Scott did.

*** (three of five stars)