Amazing Spider-Man #23: This issue feels slapdash, but it does what it needs to do. Spencer ticks off the list of future threats emerging from "Hunted," with the Vulture reforming the Savage Six, Kraven, Jr. assuming the mantle of Kraven the Hunter, and the Chameleon thanking Sergei (at his grave) for sparing him the Hunt and pledging destruction and doom in the future. But, most importantly, Spencer thankfully throws out the "Women in Refrigerators" plot, as we learn MJ's injury came from slipping on Peter's costume and putting an arm through the coffee table. (She seems pretty OK given the severity of the cuts that should involve.) The creeper Goblin we previously saw hanging over her has taken the form of an inchworm -- yeah, I don't know how either -- observing Peter tearfully hugging her. The inchworm -- er, Goblin -- exposits that he's keeping MJ safe from her greatest threat -- Peter -- so that they can be together. If we were dealing with the post-collegiate versions of these characters, I'd say the creeper Goblin was Harry Osborn, but that makes less sense now. I guess we'll see, though I admit I have problems caring? Like, I thought the joy of Spencer getting MJ and Peter back together was that he'd avoid these sorts of clichés. Oh, well.
Detective Comics #1,005: I'll be honest that I'm not sure why DC felt the need to introduce the Arkham Knight to the comics continuity. In the video game, it was Jason Todd, thought killed by the Joker. As we learned last issue, it's now Jeremiah Arkham's secret daughter, Astrid. Raised in Arkham surrounded by convicts, she believed that Batman was the bad guy, particularly after he allegedly killed her mother. It's a lie Jeremiah allowed to persist because it meant that he could escape culpability in wife's death. (What a therapist, this guy.) After her previous dry run of setting off a small sun in Gotham, Astrid now tries to blind Gotham's citizens so they can't see Batman. To her, he's an agent of the darkness and shadows so, if everyone is blind, his power over them fades. In other words, she's crazy. For all the hoopla of introducing the Knight, it just feels so ho-hum, yet another lunatic with some diabolical plan that Batman easily foils. (Also, why go with the dry run and alert Batman to your existence? Why not just blind everyone from the get-go?) The end sequence of Batman and Robin surveying the city days later feels directly lifted from a "Batman: The Animated Series" episode, the first time I've felt that way about Tomasi's writing.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #7: I've been enjoying this series a lot, but this issue is an unfortunate miss. Taylor leans very, very heavily into eye-rolling clichés, from Marnie telling Peter that she didn't know May was a superhero to the cartoonishly villainous local businesspeople who prompt May's aforementioned "super heroics" when confronting her about opening F.E.A.S.T. It all feels rushed, as Taylor is more than capable of providing a better script that got across the same message.
Invaders #6: Zdarsky continues to make this series tense and unexpected as something that almost never happens in the Marvel Universe does here: the heroes lose. Cap fails to stop Namor from launching his bomb, which turns 3,000 people in a coastal Maine town (as well as Nay and Roman) into Atlanteans. Zdarksy also doesn't avoid pinning blame on Steve; in a character-honest approach, he has Tony frequently point out the fact that he told Steve they needed to act and not try to reason with Namor. I'm intrigued to see if Steve doubles down next issue on his belief that he can save Namor or if he accepts that he's too far gone.
Transformers #7: I had been disappointed by the slow pace of this series, but Ruckley really kicks it up a notch here. I can't believe he actually killed off Rubble! Bumblebee is devastated, and LaFuente and Burcham do a spectacular job here using the all-yellow panels to convey his grief, letting us know Rubble is dead before we're told. That event is the catalyst for all sorts of developments.
First, Ratchet informs Prowl that the modus operandi is different from the one that Brainstorm's murderer used, meaning that Cybertron has two different killers on the loose. Bumblebee isn't the only Transformer feeling guilt, as Prowl tells Chromia that he's going to get revenge, blaming himself for not finding the Voin more quickly. Ironhide informs Orion that Sentinel Prime, Starscream, and Nautica will all return from their colony tour once they reach the nearest Spacebridge; Ironhide isn't sure if it's a good or a bad thing.
Bumblebee visits the Ascenticon Guard after his conversation with Senator Soundwave last issue. Bumblebee tells Elita-1 that he needs to do something, as Cybertronians are dying, but Refraktor and Skytred make it clear that they don't want a Security reject on the team. Elita-1 isn't buying their toxic masculinity, telling Bumbleebee that the Guard wants to bring about the orderly and safe change that must come, as the Autobots' way of restraint is clearly not helping anyone. (Ruckley does a great job here of showing how the Ascenticons have a point. I'm also assuming Ascenticons are behind the murders.) But, Skytred can't keep his mouth shut and teases Bumblebee over Rubble's murder, sparking a fight between them and Refraktor. Elita-1 breaks up the fight, and Bumblebee notes that he isn't wanted, but also wonders where Quake is. (Dun-dun-DUN!)
Meanwhile, Cyclonus is clearly cuckoo for cocoa puffs, as he's haunted by the ghosts of Gridlock, Highfire, and an unidentified Transformer. Gridlock says Cyclonus is broken after Highfire wonders why he would hang around the Memorial Crater, the site of the last battle in the war "against the Threefold Spark." It seems the three frequently haunt Cyclonus (who Gridlock calls "boss"). Highfire encourages Cyclonus to stay focused on the "mission," but Gridlock tells him that he's wasting his time, because the war has ended and "Exarchon's gone." Cyclonus says that no one knows that, and he's surprised when he finds a loose cable at the Crater, part of his lament that no one is performing the necessary upkeep. He's surprised again when a smallish Transformer opens fire on him.
Again, Rubble's murder really injected some much needed energy into this series. I'm intrigued to see where we go from here.
Also Read: Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions #5
Showing posts with label Hunted. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hunted. Show all posts
Friday, April 3, 2020
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Not-Even-Remotely-New Comics: The May 29 Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Age of X-Men: X-Tremists #4: This issue ends in a riot, as Jubilee remembers that she has a son and Jean-Paul remembers that he has a husband. Along the way, we're treated to Jean-Paul insulting Bobby's sweater and Bobby stripping off said sweater, asking Jean-Paul if he liked what he saw. Twunk indeed, as Rictor says. For his part, Rictor is running a theater where mutants can get busy, an homage to old-school X-rated theaters. For the first time, Williams finally addresses the fact that the X-Tremists have two gay team members. By adding Rictor and the theater, she makes the obvious parallel to a world where the LGBT community often has to hide their lives to this "Utopia" that X-Man made where no one can show affection. Sucks, don't it, straight people?
Amazing Spider-Man #22: To be honest, I felt like Spencer swerved here from the more interesting outcome. Although I was pretty sure Peter wasn't going to fully buy into Kraven's exhortation that he becomes a killer, I thought that he would at least emerge shaken from understanding Kraven's point of view.
After all, Kraven makes a compelling point. When Spidey appears to discover that the Lizard killed a series of guards on the way to save Billy, Kraven argues that the lives of mercenaries -- killers all -- pale in comparison to the lives of an innocent boy like Billy and the woman trying to protect him, the Black Cat. Peter initially seems to be struggling with this argument. But, Spencer takes an easier road, showing this confusion, if you will, to be the result of Kraven's "herbs and potions" and, in even more of a cop-out, revealing that Kraven himself killed the guards to set up the crisis of conscience that Peter would undergo.
Peter shakes off the drugs and beats Kraven, arguing that he doesn't kill so that his family doesn't have to kill? I'm not really sure I follow that, to be honest. I think that Peter is arguing that humanity is inherently kind, that we were meant to help each other not hunt each other. But, he seems to be gliding over all those one-percenters gathered in that ballroom to do exactly that, isn't he?
In other words, Spencer is letting Peter have his Pollyanna-ism, something that we also saw in the "War of the Realms: Strikeforce - Land of the Giants" one-shot and again in this week's "Spider-Man and the League of the Realms," where Peter doesn't want to kill Frost Giants like Logan does. I'm not saying that I want a homicidal Spider-Man, but I feel like Spencer was at least pushing Peter's ethical boundaries here. Dan Slott trod similar ground in his Massacre story arc, using Massacre to show how different Otto was from Peter, since he was willing to kill Massacre to stop his rampage. Peter finding a way to stop Kraven without killing would've been a powerful statement. Instead, the tension all fades with the herbs and potions and Peter just magically beats Kraven, something that he'd previously struggled to do. To make matters worse, Kraven embraces Peter's point of view, seeing the humanity in him. He sacrifices himself -- dressed in a black costume -- to give Peter time to escape, and Kraven's son kills him thinking that he's Peter.
I'm not saying the ending invalidates the strong story that Spencer told over the course of this event. But, it is disappointing, because I feel like he could've pushed somewhat a little darker, but instead stayed in a safer place. Oh, well. As I said, all in all, I still enjoyed the event so I'll call that a win.
Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions #4: First, like Diplo, Hopeless be everywhere. But, given the caliber of this story, it's easy to see why. Hopeless shows us an unnamed protagonist looking to avenge his smuggler father's death on Coruscant, a death he could've prevented as a young boy if he had taken the shot that his father had trained him to take. The boy grows into a cocky young pilot whose audacity the Rebel command continually rewards. Sounds familiar? However, unlike Han, Leia, or Luke, this guy chokes at his big moment, unable to take the shot (again) to take out Darth Vader. He flees to base, bringing Vader and a squadron of Tie Fighters with him. After vomiting from fear, he's (again) forced to watch the consequences of what his inaction has caused. Hopeless shows us a corner of the galaxy where pluck doesn't really get you anywhere, a corner that I'm sure would feel more familiar to the average Empire resident than Han, Leia, or Luke's.
War of the Realms: War Scrolls #2: This issue contains a lovely coda to Gillen's "Young Avenger" series, as Loki seeks forgiveness for siding with the bad guys from Billy Kaplan. Beyond the beauty of getting to see an always-hot Teddy Altman, we also get to see him in context of an adult relationship with Billy. They're apparently now living together, and they're over 21 years old as Billy believes that he's meeting "Kate" for brunch and mimosas. But, since Loki can't just ask for forgiveness, "Kate" is Loki in disguise, trying to get Billy to forgive him without having to ask for it. (His plans are foiled when Teddy sees Kate in Los Angeles on Instagram and texts Billy. Get with the times, Loki.) But, Billy gives Loki his forgiveness anyway, and he and Teddy mourn when they watch Laufey eat Loki later. If I've ever been disappointed with Jason Aaron, it's because he seemed to ignore a lot of the work GIllen and then Ewing did with Loki. It was a thrill to see this Loki again (and a sexy Teddy, obviously).
Also Read: Marvel's Spider-Man: City at War #3; Spider-Man and the League of the Realms #2; Thor #13
Amazing Spider-Man #22: To be honest, I felt like Spencer swerved here from the more interesting outcome. Although I was pretty sure Peter wasn't going to fully buy into Kraven's exhortation that he becomes a killer, I thought that he would at least emerge shaken from understanding Kraven's point of view.
After all, Kraven makes a compelling point. When Spidey appears to discover that the Lizard killed a series of guards on the way to save Billy, Kraven argues that the lives of mercenaries -- killers all -- pale in comparison to the lives of an innocent boy like Billy and the woman trying to protect him, the Black Cat. Peter initially seems to be struggling with this argument. But, Spencer takes an easier road, showing this confusion, if you will, to be the result of Kraven's "herbs and potions" and, in even more of a cop-out, revealing that Kraven himself killed the guards to set up the crisis of conscience that Peter would undergo.
Peter shakes off the drugs and beats Kraven, arguing that he doesn't kill so that his family doesn't have to kill? I'm not really sure I follow that, to be honest. I think that Peter is arguing that humanity is inherently kind, that we were meant to help each other not hunt each other. But, he seems to be gliding over all those one-percenters gathered in that ballroom to do exactly that, isn't he?
In other words, Spencer is letting Peter have his Pollyanna-ism, something that we also saw in the "War of the Realms: Strikeforce - Land of the Giants" one-shot and again in this week's "Spider-Man and the League of the Realms," where Peter doesn't want to kill Frost Giants like Logan does. I'm not saying that I want a homicidal Spider-Man, but I feel like Spencer was at least pushing Peter's ethical boundaries here. Dan Slott trod similar ground in his Massacre story arc, using Massacre to show how different Otto was from Peter, since he was willing to kill Massacre to stop his rampage. Peter finding a way to stop Kraven without killing would've been a powerful statement. Instead, the tension all fades with the herbs and potions and Peter just magically beats Kraven, something that he'd previously struggled to do. To make matters worse, Kraven embraces Peter's point of view, seeing the humanity in him. He sacrifices himself -- dressed in a black costume -- to give Peter time to escape, and Kraven's son kills him thinking that he's Peter.
I'm not saying the ending invalidates the strong story that Spencer told over the course of this event. But, it is disappointing, because I feel like he could've pushed somewhat a little darker, but instead stayed in a safer place. Oh, well. As I said, all in all, I still enjoyed the event so I'll call that a win.
Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions #4: First, like Diplo, Hopeless be everywhere. But, given the caliber of this story, it's easy to see why. Hopeless shows us an unnamed protagonist looking to avenge his smuggler father's death on Coruscant, a death he could've prevented as a young boy if he had taken the shot that his father had trained him to take. The boy grows into a cocky young pilot whose audacity the Rebel command continually rewards. Sounds familiar? However, unlike Han, Leia, or Luke, this guy chokes at his big moment, unable to take the shot (again) to take out Darth Vader. He flees to base, bringing Vader and a squadron of Tie Fighters with him. After vomiting from fear, he's (again) forced to watch the consequences of what his inaction has caused. Hopeless shows us a corner of the galaxy where pluck doesn't really get you anywhere, a corner that I'm sure would feel more familiar to the average Empire resident than Han, Leia, or Luke's.
War of the Realms: War Scrolls #2: This issue contains a lovely coda to Gillen's "Young Avenger" series, as Loki seeks forgiveness for siding with the bad guys from Billy Kaplan. Beyond the beauty of getting to see an always-hot Teddy Altman, we also get to see him in context of an adult relationship with Billy. They're apparently now living together, and they're over 21 years old as Billy believes that he's meeting "Kate" for brunch and mimosas. But, since Loki can't just ask for forgiveness, "Kate" is Loki in disguise, trying to get Billy to forgive him without having to ask for it. (His plans are foiled when Teddy sees Kate in Los Angeles on Instagram and texts Billy. Get with the times, Loki.) But, Billy gives Loki his forgiveness anyway, and he and Teddy mourn when they watch Laufey eat Loki later. If I've ever been disappointed with Jason Aaron, it's because he seemed to ignore a lot of the work GIllen and then Ewing did with Loki. It was a thrill to see this Loki again (and a sexy Teddy, obviously).
Also Read: Marvel's Spider-Man: City at War #3; Spider-Man and the League of the Realms #2; Thor #13
Friday, March 27, 2020
Not-Even-Remotely-New Comics: The May 15 Non-X Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Amazing Spider-Man #21: Holy shit, this issue and "Star Wars" #66 make for a fucking intense week. Kraven eventually "rescues" Peter from the horde of Vermins, because they're just a prelude to his actual plan. Said plan is a doozy: to prove Peter is man enough to take on the Hunter, Kraven sets up Peter to rip out Curt Connors' inhibitor chip so the Lizard can, in turn, save Billy (and the Black Cat) from Kraven's son. Yup. To Kraven's mind, Peter is forced to sacrifice his "No One Dies" code (and, by extension, his view of himself as an uncompromising hero) to save Billy and Felicia. I wouldn't necessarily see it that way, but Spencer make a compelling argument that Peter does, and Peter's opinion is obviously the only one that matters. Moreover, on the road to this denouement, Curt and Billy reveal (to Peter and the Black Cat, respectively) that Billy remembers his dad eating him. Oy. As I said, intense. "Hunted" has been cruising on auto-pilot since the Gibbon issue, but Spencer floors it at the right moment. I can't wait to see how it ends.
Batman #71: Reading an issue like this one, I always wonder how exactly it got to be this bad. Yes, some people will continue to interpret (or, to my mind, confuse) King's obtuseness for genius, in the same way that I feel people interpret (or confuse) Hickman's obtuseness for genius. But, this issue goes beyond just the question of whether obtuseness equals genius. In both stories we see here, Bruce isn't Bruce. In both stories, he's spouting phrases that it's impossible to see him saying in any form, from repeatedly telling Bane that he's going to break his "damn back" to busting into a hospital mumbling paranoid dribble about seeing the truth behind Bane. King pretty clearly seems to be building to a reveal where we learn Bruce was right all along and Bane has been running Gotham in secret. But, King has dragged out this story well, well, well beyond any point where I could care. Taking into account that the Bat-family connects Bruce's current state of mind to Catwoman leaving him at the altar, King has functionally been telling this story for almost a year at this point. But, nothing has happened. Sure, maybe Bane, with the help of Bruce's father, is secretly running Gotham from Arkham and Bruce had to escape a machine designed to make him crazy to stop Bane. Or, maybe Bruce has just been...staring at the wall imaging that for the better part of the last year? Even if Bane is engaged in shenanigans, it's been 21 issues and we're not even close to confirming if he is, let alone to getting to the point where Bruce addresses it. I almost literally feel robbed.
Guardians of the Galaxy #5: This series has pleasantly surprised me from the start, but revealing that Thanos chose Eros, not Gamora, for his host was great. First, it makes total sense from a biological standpoint: as Hela says, it had to be a Titan. But, it also makes sense from a characterization standpoint as well, as it's so...cruel. Thanos delights in the fact that Eros thought himself to be a leader finally, assembling a team to do what it needed to do to save the galaxy from Thanos. In the end, he just achieved Thanos' goal of distracting everyone so they couldn't see the truth right in front of them. I'm used to this level of plotting from Aaron and Gillen, but it's nice to see someone like Cates throwing his hat into that ring.
Star Wars #66: Gillen actually gives Trios redemption here, something that I didn't think possible. She attempts to get Kanchar to end his aerial bombardment, but he refuses, committed to killing Leia even if it means killing Trios. (He assumes another "pampered aristocrat" will take the throne, so it's no great loss to the Empire, to his mind.) Trios realizes that she has no other option other than take out Leia and hopefully stop the assault, so she rushes Leia and her squad's position in the throne room. She and Leia have a full-on sword fight, which Leia wins. Trios calls Leia a monster at the start, and Gillen reminds us that she thinks Leia is trying to destroy Shu-Torun. After Leia strikes the killing blow, she explains that she's only trying to disable the Spike. Trios informs Leia that the plan has "gone awry." Leia promises to stop the Partisans, something Han notes might be a tall order. But, Trios' dying words are the best part here. She tells Leia that she fought for Shu-Torun like Leia would've for Alderaan. She curses the fact that she survived the attack on her family and laments that Shu-Torun may be destroyed because of her actions. As she dies, she tells Leia that she believes her and apologizes for making Leia believe her. It's sad. Gillen makes us really feel the weight on Trios' shoulder this entire time, as she was forced to choose between a set of increasingly bad options. The only good news for Trios as she dies is that she's leaving behind a pissed-off Leia committed to saving her planet.
Star Wars: Tie Fighter #2: This issue is interesting not because of anything its usual cast of characters does, but because of the issue's "villain." Shadow Wing finds itself captive after it fails to protect the Star Destroyer that it was supposed to protect and squad leader Broosh surrenders to the assailants. It turns out an Imperial officer, Admiral Gratloe, is running the outfit, hoping to operate a small mining operation outside the Imperials' notice. It's not entirely an enthralling issue, particularly since Shadow Wing goes all do-gooder here, in the sense that they plan on re-claiming the operation for the Empire. But, it does do something that we don't normally see, showing us the expanding chaos in the post-"Return of the Jedi" galaxy. Gratloe just wants to get him some, and I find myself relieved that the Powers That Be in "Star Wars" Land finally show this type of story. In all the galaxy, someone has to try to seize the moment. We often only see this galaxy far, far away through the eyes of ideologically motivated protagonists. But, I love watching a NPC operating on the margins and hope we get more issues like it.
War of the Realms #4: I haven't really written about "War of the Realms" mostly because I continue to enjoy it. Aaron hasn't really provided anything worth criticizing, but he also hasn't presented anything so amazing that I felt the need to comment. It's just a really solid event.
Aaron's plotting is above reproach, where he yet again manages to keep so many balls in the air while still giving each one its due. Virtually every other event author at this point in the story has you confused and tired, usually because they're trying to incorporate events that happen in the various tie-in issues. Not so here. The tie-in issues flesh out the events here, sure. But, honestly, you could really just read this mini-series and completely understand the events transpiring in it. How often do we get that, huh? Moreover, Aaron is funny as ever. The dwarves' reactions to She-Hulk calling on them to help her smash were hilarious, from one of them saying that he had dust in the eye to another one complimenting her on her motivational speaking. Thori is also great, as always, and Spider-Man continues to have such on-the-nose one-liners that I'd love for Aaron to write him one day. Dauterman is also, as always, on fire. The Iron Odin suit? Amazing. As Ghost Rider said, it's all very metal.
The only criticism I could find is that Aaron doesn't have a ton of space for emotional beats. Aaron has spent months, if not years, showing us the virtually non-existent relationship between Odin and Freyja. Here, Odin appearing to help her at her final stand on the Black Bifrost may have her claiming he finally "turned her on" for the first time ever, but it's rushed. If Aaron had more time, I could imagine him using flashbacks to remind us where we've been with these two, building to this rapprochement, instead of just hurling it at us to give us (presumably) the requisite event deaths. Again, it isn't a hideously off-note; it's just a note that I wish Aaron had more time to hit. It's a minor complaint for an otherwise great event, but there it is.
Also Read: Nightwing #60; Spider-Man and the League of the Realms #1; Star Wars: Age of Rebellion - Lando Calrissian #1; Transformers #5; War of the Realms: Strikeforce - The War Avengers #1
Batman #71: Reading an issue like this one, I always wonder how exactly it got to be this bad. Yes, some people will continue to interpret (or, to my mind, confuse) King's obtuseness for genius, in the same way that I feel people interpret (or confuse) Hickman's obtuseness for genius. But, this issue goes beyond just the question of whether obtuseness equals genius. In both stories we see here, Bruce isn't Bruce. In both stories, he's spouting phrases that it's impossible to see him saying in any form, from repeatedly telling Bane that he's going to break his "damn back" to busting into a hospital mumbling paranoid dribble about seeing the truth behind Bane. King pretty clearly seems to be building to a reveal where we learn Bruce was right all along and Bane has been running Gotham in secret. But, King has dragged out this story well, well, well beyond any point where I could care. Taking into account that the Bat-family connects Bruce's current state of mind to Catwoman leaving him at the altar, King has functionally been telling this story for almost a year at this point. But, nothing has happened. Sure, maybe Bane, with the help of Bruce's father, is secretly running Gotham from Arkham and Bruce had to escape a machine designed to make him crazy to stop Bane. Or, maybe Bruce has just been...staring at the wall imaging that for the better part of the last year? Even if Bane is engaged in shenanigans, it's been 21 issues and we're not even close to confirming if he is, let alone to getting to the point where Bruce addresses it. I almost literally feel robbed.
Guardians of the Galaxy #5: This series has pleasantly surprised me from the start, but revealing that Thanos chose Eros, not Gamora, for his host was great. First, it makes total sense from a biological standpoint: as Hela says, it had to be a Titan. But, it also makes sense from a characterization standpoint as well, as it's so...cruel. Thanos delights in the fact that Eros thought himself to be a leader finally, assembling a team to do what it needed to do to save the galaxy from Thanos. In the end, he just achieved Thanos' goal of distracting everyone so they couldn't see the truth right in front of them. I'm used to this level of plotting from Aaron and Gillen, but it's nice to see someone like Cates throwing his hat into that ring.
Star Wars #66: Gillen actually gives Trios redemption here, something that I didn't think possible. She attempts to get Kanchar to end his aerial bombardment, but he refuses, committed to killing Leia even if it means killing Trios. (He assumes another "pampered aristocrat" will take the throne, so it's no great loss to the Empire, to his mind.) Trios realizes that she has no other option other than take out Leia and hopefully stop the assault, so she rushes Leia and her squad's position in the throne room. She and Leia have a full-on sword fight, which Leia wins. Trios calls Leia a monster at the start, and Gillen reminds us that she thinks Leia is trying to destroy Shu-Torun. After Leia strikes the killing blow, she explains that she's only trying to disable the Spike. Trios informs Leia that the plan has "gone awry." Leia promises to stop the Partisans, something Han notes might be a tall order. But, Trios' dying words are the best part here. She tells Leia that she fought for Shu-Torun like Leia would've for Alderaan. She curses the fact that she survived the attack on her family and laments that Shu-Torun may be destroyed because of her actions. As she dies, she tells Leia that she believes her and apologizes for making Leia believe her. It's sad. Gillen makes us really feel the weight on Trios' shoulder this entire time, as she was forced to choose between a set of increasingly bad options. The only good news for Trios as she dies is that she's leaving behind a pissed-off Leia committed to saving her planet.
Star Wars: Tie Fighter #2: This issue is interesting not because of anything its usual cast of characters does, but because of the issue's "villain." Shadow Wing finds itself captive after it fails to protect the Star Destroyer that it was supposed to protect and squad leader Broosh surrenders to the assailants. It turns out an Imperial officer, Admiral Gratloe, is running the outfit, hoping to operate a small mining operation outside the Imperials' notice. It's not entirely an enthralling issue, particularly since Shadow Wing goes all do-gooder here, in the sense that they plan on re-claiming the operation for the Empire. But, it does do something that we don't normally see, showing us the expanding chaos in the post-"Return of the Jedi" galaxy. Gratloe just wants to get him some, and I find myself relieved that the Powers That Be in "Star Wars" Land finally show this type of story. In all the galaxy, someone has to try to seize the moment. We often only see this galaxy far, far away through the eyes of ideologically motivated protagonists. But, I love watching a NPC operating on the margins and hope we get more issues like it.
War of the Realms #4: I haven't really written about "War of the Realms" mostly because I continue to enjoy it. Aaron hasn't really provided anything worth criticizing, but he also hasn't presented anything so amazing that I felt the need to comment. It's just a really solid event.
Aaron's plotting is above reproach, where he yet again manages to keep so many balls in the air while still giving each one its due. Virtually every other event author at this point in the story has you confused and tired, usually because they're trying to incorporate events that happen in the various tie-in issues. Not so here. The tie-in issues flesh out the events here, sure. But, honestly, you could really just read this mini-series and completely understand the events transpiring in it. How often do we get that, huh? Moreover, Aaron is funny as ever. The dwarves' reactions to She-Hulk calling on them to help her smash were hilarious, from one of them saying that he had dust in the eye to another one complimenting her on her motivational speaking. Thori is also great, as always, and Spider-Man continues to have such on-the-nose one-liners that I'd love for Aaron to write him one day. Dauterman is also, as always, on fire. The Iron Odin suit? Amazing. As Ghost Rider said, it's all very metal.
The only criticism I could find is that Aaron doesn't have a ton of space for emotional beats. Aaron has spent months, if not years, showing us the virtually non-existent relationship between Odin and Freyja. Here, Odin appearing to help her at her final stand on the Black Bifrost may have her claiming he finally "turned her on" for the first time ever, but it's rushed. If Aaron had more time, I could imagine him using flashbacks to remind us where we've been with these two, building to this rapprochement, instead of just hurling it at us to give us (presumably) the requisite event deaths. Again, it isn't a hideously off-note; it's just a note that I wish Aaron had more time to hit. It's a minor complaint for an otherwise great event, but there it is.
Also Read: Nightwing #60; Spider-Man and the League of the Realms #1; Star Wars: Age of Rebellion - Lando Calrissian #1; Transformers #5; War of the Realms: Strikeforce - The War Avengers #1
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Not-Very-New Comics: The April 3 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
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Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Not-Very-New Comics: The March 27 Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Age of X-Man: X-Tremists #2: Williams does a great job of showing how tentative Nate's grasp on this reality is. First, we learn that the X-Tremists are setting the wildfires so that it gives the X-Men something to do. I'm assuming Nate is aware of that (though I'm also pretty sure that the X-Men aren't), but if he isn't then it raises questions about how actively Nate is calling the shots. After all, someone gave the X-Tremists the order to set these wildfires. But, Williams also shows how Nate's ability to prevent people from forming connections is doomed to fail, as Blob admits his feelings for Betsy. If even his enforcers can't live by his rules, Nate is in trouble. So far, the most interesting character in this series is Moneta. She's violent in her treatment of the pregnant woman the X-Tremists (or "Department X" as they're known in-world) rounded up last issue, though we haven't yet been shown why she's such an extremist (heh). She was created for this event, so she doesn't have a "real-world" analogue to give us a hint about her motivations. We'll see where we go from here.
Amazing Spider-Man #18: Spencer is on creative fire here. I mean, I already thought that it was ingenious to reveal that Kraven's fellow hunters were controlling the Kravenbots through "advanced VR control unit[s]" imbedded directly into their cerebral cortexes. But, he then turns it into Fortnite, as you can use your credit card to upgrade your hunter. Brilliant. But, I'll admit my enjoyment of this issue was constrained by Spencer going all "Women in Refrigerators" with Mary Jane. He reveals that the Goblin-looking figure we've seen a few times is in the apartment with her, and I found myself rolling my eyes. I mean, Spencer does some great work with MJ here, as she contemplates how much better she is about handling the stress of Peter's time as Spider-Man than she used to be. But, it's overshadowed by turning her into a helpless victim yet again. I get that Spencer seems to be setting up the next arc here: Peter isn't able to save MJ because he's trapped in Arcade's Thunderdome. But, I wonder if it was really necessary, because I would've preferred Spencer to spend more time on the fights in the dome.
Mr. and Mrs. X #9: This issue reads like Kelly Thompson just read a Brené Brown book, and I'm totally on board with that. Rogue realizes that it's her fear of connection that led her to keep her powers unchecked, putting a physical and psychological wall between her and the world. Rogue tears down those walls here as she leans into her fear. "Everything we've ever wanted. It's up to us and nobody else. Exactly as it should be." I kind of need to hear that today, to be honest. I can't wait for us to kick Mojo's ass next issue. #issueoftheyearcandidate
X-Force #5: This issue is a coda to "Extermination," which is why I'm tagging it here. We finally see the future events that cause Nathan to force the original X-Men to return to the past.
In the future, Nate is fighting his war against the New Canaanites when suddenly two of his Clan Chosen soldiers, Bava and Flintshard, dissolve into the timestream and another solider, Spheeris, becomes a different soldier entirely, named Dorna, who claims that they all know him. Eventually, Blaquesmith arrives and brings Nathan to one of the underground safehouses that older Nathan built. The computer recognizes him and informs him that 893 temporal breaches have occurred since he was last there, but only one was critical: Hank bringing the original X-Men to (our) present. Blaquesmith explains the results of this decision are now hitting the present as timelines gets confused. Blaquesmith and the computer introduce Nathan to Graymalkin, giving him his mission to maintain the timestream. Blaquesmith expresses his disappointment in Nathan's older self for allowing his emotions to blind him. (I'm still not entirely sure that we've ever gotten an adequate explanation for why Cable didn't send back the kids, but I think we'll get there eventually.) It's a cool moment, as Hopeless is essentially showing us the moment that Marvel rebooted Cable to his younger self. Cable then watches as his remaining allies, including his lover, Aliya, dissolve into the timestream. Hopeless makes it clear that it's this loss that hardens Nate against Cable, showing him appearing at the burnt-out Xavier Institute as he did in "Extermination." Meanwhile, we also see Stryfe and his Mutant Liberation Force learn about Nathan's activities from a pair of grotesque, Sugar Man-esque (but larger) figures. Stryfe and the MLF follow Nate into the timestream to prevent Nate, who they deem a terrorist, from destroying their timestream.
In other words, Hopeless does an amazing job of covering a lot of ground while also telling a coherent story. Is it functionally a reboot of the original Cable/Stryfe story? Yes. But, I love the return of Stryfe and his war with Cable, so I'm not complaining. I can't wait to see where we go from here.
Also Read: Avengers: No Road Home #7; Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions #2
Amazing Spider-Man #18: Spencer is on creative fire here. I mean, I already thought that it was ingenious to reveal that Kraven's fellow hunters were controlling the Kravenbots through "advanced VR control unit[s]" imbedded directly into their cerebral cortexes. But, he then turns it into Fortnite, as you can use your credit card to upgrade your hunter. Brilliant. But, I'll admit my enjoyment of this issue was constrained by Spencer going all "Women in Refrigerators" with Mary Jane. He reveals that the Goblin-looking figure we've seen a few times is in the apartment with her, and I found myself rolling my eyes. I mean, Spencer does some great work with MJ here, as she contemplates how much better she is about handling the stress of Peter's time as Spider-Man than she used to be. But, it's overshadowed by turning her into a helpless victim yet again. I get that Spencer seems to be setting up the next arc here: Peter isn't able to save MJ because he's trapped in Arcade's Thunderdome. But, I wonder if it was really necessary, because I would've preferred Spencer to spend more time on the fights in the dome.
Mr. and Mrs. X #9: This issue reads like Kelly Thompson just read a Brené Brown book, and I'm totally on board with that. Rogue realizes that it's her fear of connection that led her to keep her powers unchecked, putting a physical and psychological wall between her and the world. Rogue tears down those walls here as she leans into her fear. "Everything we've ever wanted. It's up to us and nobody else. Exactly as it should be." I kind of need to hear that today, to be honest. I can't wait for us to kick Mojo's ass next issue. #issueoftheyearcandidate
X-Force #5: This issue is a coda to "Extermination," which is why I'm tagging it here. We finally see the future events that cause Nathan to force the original X-Men to return to the past.
In the future, Nate is fighting his war against the New Canaanites when suddenly two of his Clan Chosen soldiers, Bava and Flintshard, dissolve into the timestream and another solider, Spheeris, becomes a different soldier entirely, named Dorna, who claims that they all know him. Eventually, Blaquesmith arrives and brings Nathan to one of the underground safehouses that older Nathan built. The computer recognizes him and informs him that 893 temporal breaches have occurred since he was last there, but only one was critical: Hank bringing the original X-Men to (our) present. Blaquesmith explains the results of this decision are now hitting the present as timelines gets confused. Blaquesmith and the computer introduce Nathan to Graymalkin, giving him his mission to maintain the timestream. Blaquesmith expresses his disappointment in Nathan's older self for allowing his emotions to blind him. (I'm still not entirely sure that we've ever gotten an adequate explanation for why Cable didn't send back the kids, but I think we'll get there eventually.) It's a cool moment, as Hopeless is essentially showing us the moment that Marvel rebooted Cable to his younger self. Cable then watches as his remaining allies, including his lover, Aliya, dissolve into the timestream. Hopeless makes it clear that it's this loss that hardens Nate against Cable, showing him appearing at the burnt-out Xavier Institute as he did in "Extermination." Meanwhile, we also see Stryfe and his Mutant Liberation Force learn about Nathan's activities from a pair of grotesque, Sugar Man-esque (but larger) figures. Stryfe and the MLF follow Nate into the timestream to prevent Nate, who they deem a terrorist, from destroying their timestream.
In other words, Hopeless does an amazing job of covering a lot of ground while also telling a coherent story. Is it functionally a reboot of the original Cable/Stryfe story? Yes. But, I love the return of Stryfe and his war with Cable, so I'm not complaining. I can't wait to see where we go from here.
Also Read: Avengers: No Road Home #7; Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions #2
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Not-Very-New Comics: The March 13 Non-X Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Amazing Spider-Man #17: I initially decided not to pin this issue with the Women in Refrigerator tag, given that Felicia threatens to gut Kraven herself if he somehow defeats Spider-Man. (Note to self: send Nick Spencer a muffin basket for returning Felicia to us.) But, then we had the Mary-Jane-as-Barbara-Gordon moment, and I decided it was appropriate after all. Beyond that, though, it's a solid start to what could really be a great event. Spencer leans heavily into characterization here, from Felicia's struggle to comfort Billy when they awaken as captives in the Plaza Hotel to Kraven's melancholy reflections on how this new world doesn't value his ethos. Spencer is also clearly having a great time; the twist that Kraven has everyone stashed at the Plaza is pretty great. But, Spencer is using enough foreshadowing to let us know that it isn't all fun and games. I applaud his decision to make Peter fight Kraven with the flu, because I feel like "Amazing Spider-Man" has always done the best job among comic-book series of showing how Peter's need to act as Spider-Man doesn't always happen at the most convenient times for Peter himself. (If I remember correctly, he also had the flu in "Kraven's Last Hunt.") Spencer doesn't just use the Mary-Jane-meet-coffee-table moment to show us how high the stakes are: Ramos does a spectacular (heh) job of really showing how Kraven's son beat Peter's ass something fierce. Then, he puts him in the black costume in a dome filled with his enemies, and you're like, "OK, game on, Spencer." Then, he introduces Kraven robots trying to kill everyone, and you're like "OK, maybe I can look past the Mary Jane problem..."
Spider-Gwen: Ghost Spider #6: Jackal working with Man-Wolf! McGuire does a good job here of introducing Gwen's new status quo, where she has to deal with the ramifications of outing herself. For reasons that aren't yet clear, we learn that Jackal and Man-Wolf are working together to take her down, sending a group of thugs to attack her so that they can learn her fighting style. But, they're not Gwen's only problem, as she suffers a series of headaches in the issue and is unaware that she appears to be shedding spiders. Are they going to form the real Venom eventually? I guess we'll see. Meanwhile, she's hiring out her services, and we know that's going to end well.
Star Wars: Han Solo - Imperial Cadet #5: This story's conclusion is pitch perfect. Han and his fellow cadets find Valance, only to discover a group of slaves seeking to escape the planet in the chaos of the Empire's attack. The cadets learn that the slaves mine farium, and Kanina is shaken to her core, as her boyfriend Weegee is a farium miner on her home planet in the Huru system. She realizes that the battalion heading to the Huru system means the Empire is going to enslave her people. Han convinces her to let the cadets and he fake her death so she can save her planet. If Marvel is looking for a good sequel to this story, Kanina leading a rebellion against the Empire on her home planet gets my vote. I've always liked Robbie Thompson, but he's been particularly impressive here, infusing Han's four fellow cadets with solid backstories and clear personalities in just five issues. Unfortunately, the emotional denouement -- Kanina arriving on her planet to fall into Weegee's arms as Han spends time in the stockade -- is ruined in part because of the art choices. Weegee looks identical to Han, and Prianto's use of a sepia tone makes it seem like Kanina is happy to see Han years later, after he leaves the Empire. I'm surprised the editors didn't catch that, particularly given how many editors the Star Wars line has at this point. But, overall, this mini-series was one of the strongest ones that we've had so far.
Transformers #1: As a child of the '80s, I was very excited about this comic. As often as I complain about reboots, I'll admit Dark Horse's universe of Transformers-related comics made it difficult to figure out where I could engage. In other words, I'm loathe to admit it, but this reboot was exactly for people like me; I apologize to long-time fans who just saw their continuity swept into the dustbin for us. But, I also think Ruckley does a great job of offering something for everyone, as this issue starts us at the time before the Autobots and Decepticons go to war.
The main story involves Bumblebee leading a newly sparked Transformer named Rubble to a transmission station to learn the wonders of "energon engineering" from a fellow Transformer named Brainstorm. In their journey they meet with a Transformer named Windblade. She works for Security Operations, and she asks to accompany Bumblebee and Rubble because she's also heading to the station after Brainstorm reported some "anomalies with the monitoring equipment." She hypothesizes that it's sabotage, leading Bumblebee to wonder if "the Rise" could be out this far. Along their journey to the station, we learn that Rubble is in a period of exploration that all newly sparked Transformers experience, as they journey to choose their alternate form. We also learn that they can later change their choice, as Bumblebee "left" Security Operations (where he met Windblade) to become a Search and Rescue worker. (Windblade implies that he didn't leave Security Operations so voluntarily.) Arriving at the station, Windblade senses something is wrong. While she and Bumblebee scout around a bit, Rubble stumbles upon a murdered Brainstorm.
The second story gives us context to this scene. We learn Megatron is the leader of a group called the Ascenticons. They're marching on a place called Tarm, which seems to have some sort of religious connotation to the Ascenticons. Concerned about safety, Orion Pax calls for a meeting with Megatron, as a fellow Senator and old friend. Ruckley doesn't give us much information here on the substance of Megatron's dissent. We only learn that his last rally left dozens injured, and he paints the Autobots as fascists seeking to restrict Transformers' freedoms. Moreover, Ruckley makes it clear that Orion uses "friend" a little too loosely here; Ruckley even mentions in his interview at the end of the issue that they aren't exactly "friends.'
In other words, Ruckley manages to make the comic feel familiar yet fresh at the same time. One of the most interesting developments is his introduction of an organic race of ape-like creatures called the Voin. Windblade dismisses them as scavengers, though it's unclear what they would be scavenging as Cybertron does seem entirely inorganic. Moreover, some of the Voin are connected to a floating aquarium containing a squid-like creature that speaks for the apes. In other words, we have a lot to explore.
Winter Soldier #4-#5: Issue #4 was so gripping that I just went ahead and read issue #5. Jesus fucking Christ. I've been following Higgins for a long time now, and he really takes his work on "Nightwing" to the next level here. He's gotten the tone of each issue exactly right. After all, RJ's cautious hope about his father, Richie, makes it clear that it's all going to end in tears, because it's a Bucky Barnes story and not a Steve Rogers story.
In both these issues, Higgins perfectly uses RJ as a mirror to Bucky's own feelings of doubt and mistrust. RJ desperately wants to believe Richie is trying to start a new life after he was released from prison. But, RJ is who HYDRA made him, so he's also suspicious. For example, he doesn't believe Richie's story that he recognized RJ on television, because RJ was only a year old when Richie went to jail. But, Richie shows him a picture that RJ's mother (allegedly) sent him, and he tells a moving story about how all he did for the time he was in prison was stare at that picture and imagine who his son was. It's enough for RJ.
But, it's not enough for Bucky. Higgins makes it clear that Bucky needs RJ. He needs to believe that he (and he alone) can save RJ from himself, because Bucky needs to believe that he can save himself. He learns that lesson hard in issue #5, but in issue #4 he still hasn't fully come to grips with his own motivations. The problem is that he's obviously not wrong in his suspicion of Richie. When RJ beats away some goons who came after Richie for money that he borrowed from them, it's the proof that Bucky needs that, at best, Richie is a small-time hood who can't go straight. After all, what kind of guy looking to go straight borrows money from a loan shark on his first day on the outside? But, RJ has faith in him, and he convinces Bucky to do for Richie what Bucky does for other people looking to leave "the life."
The problem is, Bucky is right. Sharon gets video of Colt paying Richie a visit, and it seems clear that Colt arranged his coincidental release to bring back in RJ. But, it's even worse than Bucky thought, as Richie is also using his old contacts to put together a job to rob a high-stakes poker game, figuring RJ's particular skill set would come in handy. But, Higgins goes one step further, in the other direction. When Bucky confronts Richie, telling him to leave town, Higgins has Richie full of fury over Bucky's sense of entitlement over RJ. Richie's right in this way: Bucky has decided he's better for RJ, and he's impatient to be rid of Richie. When Richie dies accidentally in their fight, Bucky struggles once again to come to grips with his lack of control.
Everything spirals into chaos in issue #5. Colt lays in wait for RJ at Richie's place, knowing he'll come looking for his father when he doesn't show for breakfast. He tells RJ the truth about what Bucky did, while Bucky calls Sharon for help as he plans on burying Richie's body in the woods. Higgins uses this scene perfectly to show how much Bucky is struggling to make his own good decisions. Sharon convinces him to tell RJ the truth, but his instinct not to do so calls into question his motivations. Higgins once again shows us that Bucky's need to save RJ is more about him than RJ. When RJ rejects his attempt to apologize, seeing how he heard from Colt first, Bucky is devastated. Sharon pulls in favors to get Richie buried in a proper cemetery, but she warns Bucky she's depleting that store of favors. Bucky tearfully admits to Sharon that he was trying to save RJ from the fate that he so clearly feels, from hating himself so much that he can't imagine someone not hating him. Sharon comforts him, reminding him that helping someone and saving them are different paths. She encourages him not to forget that, not to try for perfection. His hotline rings, and despite his misgivings he answers. Meanwhile, RJ takes out Colt dressed in his uniform and tearfully fades in to the night.
In other words, wow. This mini-series has been spectacular from start to finish, but it ends so fucking strongly. It's an amazing psychological study of Bucky, and I honestly don't understand why they aren't just handing Higgins the keys to this kingdom here. We rarely get an author explore the savior complex that runs through superheroes, and Higgins does it so perfectly here.
Also Read: Avengers: No Road Home #5
Spider-Gwen: Ghost Spider #6: Jackal working with Man-Wolf! McGuire does a good job here of introducing Gwen's new status quo, where she has to deal with the ramifications of outing herself. For reasons that aren't yet clear, we learn that Jackal and Man-Wolf are working together to take her down, sending a group of thugs to attack her so that they can learn her fighting style. But, they're not Gwen's only problem, as she suffers a series of headaches in the issue and is unaware that she appears to be shedding spiders. Are they going to form the real Venom eventually? I guess we'll see. Meanwhile, she's hiring out her services, and we know that's going to end well.
Star Wars: Han Solo - Imperial Cadet #5: This story's conclusion is pitch perfect. Han and his fellow cadets find Valance, only to discover a group of slaves seeking to escape the planet in the chaos of the Empire's attack. The cadets learn that the slaves mine farium, and Kanina is shaken to her core, as her boyfriend Weegee is a farium miner on her home planet in the Huru system. She realizes that the battalion heading to the Huru system means the Empire is going to enslave her people. Han convinces her to let the cadets and he fake her death so she can save her planet. If Marvel is looking for a good sequel to this story, Kanina leading a rebellion against the Empire on her home planet gets my vote. I've always liked Robbie Thompson, but he's been particularly impressive here, infusing Han's four fellow cadets with solid backstories and clear personalities in just five issues. Unfortunately, the emotional denouement -- Kanina arriving on her planet to fall into Weegee's arms as Han spends time in the stockade -- is ruined in part because of the art choices. Weegee looks identical to Han, and Prianto's use of a sepia tone makes it seem like Kanina is happy to see Han years later, after he leaves the Empire. I'm surprised the editors didn't catch that, particularly given how many editors the Star Wars line has at this point. But, overall, this mini-series was one of the strongest ones that we've had so far.
Transformers #1: As a child of the '80s, I was very excited about this comic. As often as I complain about reboots, I'll admit Dark Horse's universe of Transformers-related comics made it difficult to figure out where I could engage. In other words, I'm loathe to admit it, but this reboot was exactly for people like me; I apologize to long-time fans who just saw their continuity swept into the dustbin for us. But, I also think Ruckley does a great job of offering something for everyone, as this issue starts us at the time before the Autobots and Decepticons go to war.
The main story involves Bumblebee leading a newly sparked Transformer named Rubble to a transmission station to learn the wonders of "energon engineering" from a fellow Transformer named Brainstorm. In their journey they meet with a Transformer named Windblade. She works for Security Operations, and she asks to accompany Bumblebee and Rubble because she's also heading to the station after Brainstorm reported some "anomalies with the monitoring equipment." She hypothesizes that it's sabotage, leading Bumblebee to wonder if "the Rise" could be out this far. Along their journey to the station, we learn that Rubble is in a period of exploration that all newly sparked Transformers experience, as they journey to choose their alternate form. We also learn that they can later change their choice, as Bumblebee "left" Security Operations (where he met Windblade) to become a Search and Rescue worker. (Windblade implies that he didn't leave Security Operations so voluntarily.) Arriving at the station, Windblade senses something is wrong. While she and Bumblebee scout around a bit, Rubble stumbles upon a murdered Brainstorm.
The second story gives us context to this scene. We learn Megatron is the leader of a group called the Ascenticons. They're marching on a place called Tarm, which seems to have some sort of religious connotation to the Ascenticons. Concerned about safety, Orion Pax calls for a meeting with Megatron, as a fellow Senator and old friend. Ruckley doesn't give us much information here on the substance of Megatron's dissent. We only learn that his last rally left dozens injured, and he paints the Autobots as fascists seeking to restrict Transformers' freedoms. Moreover, Ruckley makes it clear that Orion uses "friend" a little too loosely here; Ruckley even mentions in his interview at the end of the issue that they aren't exactly "friends.'
In other words, Ruckley manages to make the comic feel familiar yet fresh at the same time. One of the most interesting developments is his introduction of an organic race of ape-like creatures called the Voin. Windblade dismisses them as scavengers, though it's unclear what they would be scavenging as Cybertron does seem entirely inorganic. Moreover, some of the Voin are connected to a floating aquarium containing a squid-like creature that speaks for the apes. In other words, we have a lot to explore.
Winter Soldier #4-#5: Issue #4 was so gripping that I just went ahead and read issue #5. Jesus fucking Christ. I've been following Higgins for a long time now, and he really takes his work on "Nightwing" to the next level here. He's gotten the tone of each issue exactly right. After all, RJ's cautious hope about his father, Richie, makes it clear that it's all going to end in tears, because it's a Bucky Barnes story and not a Steve Rogers story.
In both these issues, Higgins perfectly uses RJ as a mirror to Bucky's own feelings of doubt and mistrust. RJ desperately wants to believe Richie is trying to start a new life after he was released from prison. But, RJ is who HYDRA made him, so he's also suspicious. For example, he doesn't believe Richie's story that he recognized RJ on television, because RJ was only a year old when Richie went to jail. But, Richie shows him a picture that RJ's mother (allegedly) sent him, and he tells a moving story about how all he did for the time he was in prison was stare at that picture and imagine who his son was. It's enough for RJ.
But, it's not enough for Bucky. Higgins makes it clear that Bucky needs RJ. He needs to believe that he (and he alone) can save RJ from himself, because Bucky needs to believe that he can save himself. He learns that lesson hard in issue #5, but in issue #4 he still hasn't fully come to grips with his own motivations. The problem is that he's obviously not wrong in his suspicion of Richie. When RJ beats away some goons who came after Richie for money that he borrowed from them, it's the proof that Bucky needs that, at best, Richie is a small-time hood who can't go straight. After all, what kind of guy looking to go straight borrows money from a loan shark on his first day on the outside? But, RJ has faith in him, and he convinces Bucky to do for Richie what Bucky does for other people looking to leave "the life."
The problem is, Bucky is right. Sharon gets video of Colt paying Richie a visit, and it seems clear that Colt arranged his coincidental release to bring back in RJ. But, it's even worse than Bucky thought, as Richie is also using his old contacts to put together a job to rob a high-stakes poker game, figuring RJ's particular skill set would come in handy. But, Higgins goes one step further, in the other direction. When Bucky confronts Richie, telling him to leave town, Higgins has Richie full of fury over Bucky's sense of entitlement over RJ. Richie's right in this way: Bucky has decided he's better for RJ, and he's impatient to be rid of Richie. When Richie dies accidentally in their fight, Bucky struggles once again to come to grips with his lack of control.
Everything spirals into chaos in issue #5. Colt lays in wait for RJ at Richie's place, knowing he'll come looking for his father when he doesn't show for breakfast. He tells RJ the truth about what Bucky did, while Bucky calls Sharon for help as he plans on burying Richie's body in the woods. Higgins uses this scene perfectly to show how much Bucky is struggling to make his own good decisions. Sharon convinces him to tell RJ the truth, but his instinct not to do so calls into question his motivations. Higgins once again shows us that Bucky's need to save RJ is more about him than RJ. When RJ rejects his attempt to apologize, seeing how he heard from Colt first, Bucky is devastated. Sharon pulls in favors to get Richie buried in a proper cemetery, but she warns Bucky she's depleting that store of favors. Bucky tearfully admits to Sharon that he was trying to save RJ from the fate that he so clearly feels, from hating himself so much that he can't imagine someone not hating him. Sharon comforts him, reminding him that helping someone and saving them are different paths. She encourages him not to forget that, not to try for perfection. His hotline rings, and despite his misgivings he answers. Meanwhile, RJ takes out Colt dressed in his uniform and tearfully fades in to the night.
In other words, wow. This mini-series has been spectacular from start to finish, but it ends so fucking strongly. It's an amazing psychological study of Bucky, and I honestly don't understand why they aren't just handing Higgins the keys to this kingdom here. We rarely get an author explore the savior complex that runs through superheroes, and Higgins does it so perfectly here.
Also Read: Avengers: No Road Home #5
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Not-Very-New Comics: The March 6 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Amazing Spider-Man #16.HU: Of all the crimes that Dan Slott committed while writing "Amazing Spider-Man," turning Felicia Hardy into a villain was second on my list (after the Octo-Spider bullshit). As Nick Spencer carefully undoes Slott's legacy, I was thrilled when Peter revealed his identity to Felicia. He righted a great wrong by putting them back on good footing. Spencer even goes further here, treating Felicia, of all things, as a person with feelings. First, we now know that Felicia's heel turn was at least partly inspired by the sudden loss of her memories of Peter, a pretty unveiled swipe at how casually Marvel erased everyone's memories of Peter's secret identity. Then, Spencer explores what it's like for someone to experience a decade of those memories suddenly rushing back at them. Along the way, Spencer treats us to the greatest hits of Felicia and Peter's relationship, from Peter's wide-eyed amazement at how forward Felicia is to Felicia's ongoing surprise at how charming she finds Peter. The story culminates in Peter giving her the Spider-Tracer that we saw last issue, presenting it in a jewelry box that she understandably mistakes for something else. The fact that Felicia mistook it for an engagement ring tells us just how deeply she loved Peter, and it makes me mad all over again at how callously Slott treated that. But, it also means that I couldn't be happier with how Spencer is handling her. I highly recommend this issue for any Felicia fan.
Avengers #16: This issue is another solid installment of Aaron's vampire civil-war arc. First, the Shadow Colonel's motivations actually make sense. The first phase of the war involved purging vampiredom of the bloated old guard. The second phase is turning some of Russian's worst criminals into vampires to strengthen the ranks. To accomplish this second task, the Colonel sends the Rat Bombers' rats into the prison where the Winter Guard is holding Dracula, and their blood bombs usher in the transformations. Meanwhile, Red Widow shows her brutality by slaughtering Dracula's consorts into front of him, forcing him to give up his secrets. (For his part, Dracula thought he'd extract his own dacha from her for his secrets. I guess not.) Meanwhile, Blade somehow uses his vampiric powers to suck the poison from Robbie, allowing him to regain control of himself. He's incredibly shaken, crying on Cap's shoulder that he didn't meant to hurt them. He doesn't tell them he's also shaken because he ran across Johnny Blaze in Hell. Figuring he's an even worse monster than Blaze, Robbie isn't exactly optimistic about his future. Carol then voices what I'm sure most everyone is thinking as she wonders why they're involved into this civil war in the first place. Blade not incorrectly reminds her that they'll all come after the Avengers sooner or later, but you have to wonder if that isn't a bet worth taking, given the damage this fight has already done.
Batman #66: In reading this issue, I think Tom King doesn't understand Batman or Bruce at all, but he understands Selina perfectly. It's why the best issues of his run on "Batman" have involved her. Here, her conversation with the Question as he seeks the answer (heh) to why she left Bruce at the altar is the only thing selling me on "Knightmares." Bruce is unprepared for this assault, and he sends the Question to interview Selina. Selina insists that she left Bruce to make him stronger, but the Question rightfully points out her plan has left him captured, so maybe her plan isn't working. She then admits she lied. I think the real question is if I still care at this point. (Spoiler alert: I don't.)
Die #4: Gillen gives the party a rest as they arrive in Glass Town, the first town established in Die. An impenetrable, d20-shaped translucent barrier exists around it, and it sits on the edge of Eternal Prussia and Little England. The townspeople throw open the doors to the party, declaring them the Paragons that prophecy says will save them from the "Devil Boy." Realizing the townspeople are on their side, the party members settle into a night of drinking.
Before she can join them, Isabella makes peace with one of her gods, the Mourner, so she can heal her. As part of the deal, Isabelle is forced to read to the Mourner's followers from the diaries that she kept during their first time in Die, along the way discovering that they've become holy texts. (Mistress Woe, one of her other gods, apparently told Isabelle that she'll "pay [her] back in [Isabelle's] own time." Ruh-roh.)
Later, Chuck and Isabelle both press Ash to talk about why he chose to become a woman in Die, something for which Isabelle notes they didn't have the words to discuss when they were there the first time. Angela intervenes on Ash's behalf, but starts to bawl. Like Matthew, she worries about what her absence means to her children. She laments her terrible choice in partners, and here we learn that Chuck was her first boyfriend. But, she later confesses that her tears are about the spell that she's dying to cast, because it means she'll need to find Fair gold every day lest "he" dies. Conveniently, the dwarven drinking companion they've accumulated just happens to have Fair. As the issue's cover shows, Angela uses it to cast the aforementioned spell and summons her dog, Case. Her joy is clear, and Gillen does a good job of showing just how much Angela has to lose -- her arm, her dog -- in transiting to the real world again. Sure, she'll see her children again, but Case's arrival on the scene in Die ups the stakes.
Later, the town's leader (or, possibly, chief diviner) arrives, informing the party the road to Sol's fortress is blocked. To enter it, they'll have to get three keys, found in the depths of three dungeons guarded by 12 "perils." The party members are enraged, as it's clear that Sol is fucking with them with such an obvious quest. Isabelle wonder if they could even successfully destroy him at Twenty, since masters are the most powerful in their homes. However, Ash's idea for solving the problem shows how Sol might not be ready for the adult versions of his friends: Ash suggests they destroy Glass Town, which Sol has molded in his image, to bring him to them. That should go well.
Doomsday Clock #9: OK, we've officially moved past the careful storytelling phase of this event and entered the ass-kicking phase. The Justice League -- namely the Green Lanterns and Constantine -- examine the blast site in Moscow. They realize that someone was trying to kill Superman and pin the blame on Firestorm. They trace the energy to Mars and take virtually every hero on Earth with them to confront Dr. Manhattan. Meanwhile, Bruce awakens from his coma and tries to send a message to the Justice League, saying they're being played. Alfred reminds Bruce that he himself told Clark that Firestorm wasn't the culprit, but Bruce simply looks at Rorschach's journal and says he should've listened. Clark remains in a coma, and Lois is surprised when Lex comes to "visit." He tells her that he sent her the footage of the Justice Society heroes and that a "force" is undermining all existence. He then cryptically asks her if she's ever heard of Wally West. On Mars, Dr. Manhattan reveals to Firestorm that the Professor purposefully created the accident that merged them to examine metahumans from the inside. (Later, we learn that the Professor was the head of the Department of Metahuman Affairs and likely the creator of the metahumans revealed as part of the Superman Theory.) Wonder Woman addresses the United Nations, and President Trump renounces Superman (hilariously saying in his tweet that he'd done more for the world anyway). It all comes to a head as Batman's message fails to arrive with the League in time and Dr. Manhattan destroys all the heroes on Mars. Meanwhile, on Earth, Black Adam arrives with Giganta and the Creeper to break into the United Nations, announcing he's "making a move." Indeed.
Star Wars #62: "I hate to sound like your dad, kid, but what the hell are you doing hanging around with death cults?" Ha ha ha. Well played, Gillen, well played. Other than that line, the best part of this issue is Leia having to deny that it's a revenge mission as she gathers former allies and colleagues to destroy Shu-Torun.
Uncanny X-Men #13: I’m surprised to say it, but this series may be the most exciting one on the stands right now. For the first time in a long time, Rosenberg gives the X-Men a purpose, as Scott puts together a target list of the X-Men’s greatest threats and thorniest problems. (Logan calls it a kill list. Magik calls it a suicide pack. Probably most accurately, Alex calls it the invite list to the worst party ever.) First on their list is Dark Beast, who they capture only after learning he’s been torturing Jamie Madrox in an underground bunker. (My only complaint with this issue is this part. Not only has Marvel still not told us how Jamie allegedly survived yet another brush with death in "Death of X," when everyone was clear that Jamie Prime was dead even in the "Multiple Man" miniseries, but we have yet another villain torturing him. Can we please put this plotline to rest so we can get back the Jamie that we “X-Factor” fans know and love?) Rosenberg is at his best when he focuses on the team’s dynamic. Alex is the same disgruntled mess that we last saw in the promising “Astonishing X-Men.” In fact, by making the team live in the back of Harry’s Bar, Rosenberg seems to be (wisely) treating this series as an extension of that one. But, that said, Alex has pulled himself together a bit, as he threatens Scott here by telling him that he won’t let Scott become the man that he was (or the X-Men become the team that they were before they died). Rosenberg is underlining Alex as the moral center of the team, which makes sense on a team where the only other members in full charge of their faculties are Scott, Logan, and Illyana. Next issue, Rosenberg picks up where “X-Men Disassembled” ended, with the MLF hitting pharmacies that are distributing the mutant vaccine. The X-Men hiding in the shadows while trying to make the world a better place is exactly where they should be.
Also Read: Age of X-Man: Prisoner X #1; Avengers: No Road Home #4; Conan the Barbarian #4; Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions #1
Avengers #16: This issue is another solid installment of Aaron's vampire civil-war arc. First, the Shadow Colonel's motivations actually make sense. The first phase of the war involved purging vampiredom of the bloated old guard. The second phase is turning some of Russian's worst criminals into vampires to strengthen the ranks. To accomplish this second task, the Colonel sends the Rat Bombers' rats into the prison where the Winter Guard is holding Dracula, and their blood bombs usher in the transformations. Meanwhile, Red Widow shows her brutality by slaughtering Dracula's consorts into front of him, forcing him to give up his secrets. (For his part, Dracula thought he'd extract his own dacha from her for his secrets. I guess not.) Meanwhile, Blade somehow uses his vampiric powers to suck the poison from Robbie, allowing him to regain control of himself. He's incredibly shaken, crying on Cap's shoulder that he didn't meant to hurt them. He doesn't tell them he's also shaken because he ran across Johnny Blaze in Hell. Figuring he's an even worse monster than Blaze, Robbie isn't exactly optimistic about his future. Carol then voices what I'm sure most everyone is thinking as she wonders why they're involved into this civil war in the first place. Blade not incorrectly reminds her that they'll all come after the Avengers sooner or later, but you have to wonder if that isn't a bet worth taking, given the damage this fight has already done.
Batman #66: In reading this issue, I think Tom King doesn't understand Batman or Bruce at all, but he understands Selina perfectly. It's why the best issues of his run on "Batman" have involved her. Here, her conversation with the Question as he seeks the answer (heh) to why she left Bruce at the altar is the only thing selling me on "Knightmares." Bruce is unprepared for this assault, and he sends the Question to interview Selina. Selina insists that she left Bruce to make him stronger, but the Question rightfully points out her plan has left him captured, so maybe her plan isn't working. She then admits she lied. I think the real question is if I still care at this point. (Spoiler alert: I don't.)
Die #4: Gillen gives the party a rest as they arrive in Glass Town, the first town established in Die. An impenetrable, d20-shaped translucent barrier exists around it, and it sits on the edge of Eternal Prussia and Little England. The townspeople throw open the doors to the party, declaring them the Paragons that prophecy says will save them from the "Devil Boy." Realizing the townspeople are on their side, the party members settle into a night of drinking.
Before she can join them, Isabella makes peace with one of her gods, the Mourner, so she can heal her. As part of the deal, Isabelle is forced to read to the Mourner's followers from the diaries that she kept during their first time in Die, along the way discovering that they've become holy texts. (Mistress Woe, one of her other gods, apparently told Isabelle that she'll "pay [her] back in [Isabelle's] own time." Ruh-roh.)
Later, Chuck and Isabelle both press Ash to talk about why he chose to become a woman in Die, something for which Isabelle notes they didn't have the words to discuss when they were there the first time. Angela intervenes on Ash's behalf, but starts to bawl. Like Matthew, she worries about what her absence means to her children. She laments her terrible choice in partners, and here we learn that Chuck was her first boyfriend. But, she later confesses that her tears are about the spell that she's dying to cast, because it means she'll need to find Fair gold every day lest "he" dies. Conveniently, the dwarven drinking companion they've accumulated just happens to have Fair. As the issue's cover shows, Angela uses it to cast the aforementioned spell and summons her dog, Case. Her joy is clear, and Gillen does a good job of showing just how much Angela has to lose -- her arm, her dog -- in transiting to the real world again. Sure, she'll see her children again, but Case's arrival on the scene in Die ups the stakes.
Later, the town's leader (or, possibly, chief diviner) arrives, informing the party the road to Sol's fortress is blocked. To enter it, they'll have to get three keys, found in the depths of three dungeons guarded by 12 "perils." The party members are enraged, as it's clear that Sol is fucking with them with such an obvious quest. Isabelle wonder if they could even successfully destroy him at Twenty, since masters are the most powerful in their homes. However, Ash's idea for solving the problem shows how Sol might not be ready for the adult versions of his friends: Ash suggests they destroy Glass Town, which Sol has molded in his image, to bring him to them. That should go well.
Doomsday Clock #9: OK, we've officially moved past the careful storytelling phase of this event and entered the ass-kicking phase. The Justice League -- namely the Green Lanterns and Constantine -- examine the blast site in Moscow. They realize that someone was trying to kill Superman and pin the blame on Firestorm. They trace the energy to Mars and take virtually every hero on Earth with them to confront Dr. Manhattan. Meanwhile, Bruce awakens from his coma and tries to send a message to the Justice League, saying they're being played. Alfred reminds Bruce that he himself told Clark that Firestorm wasn't the culprit, but Bruce simply looks at Rorschach's journal and says he should've listened. Clark remains in a coma, and Lois is surprised when Lex comes to "visit." He tells her that he sent her the footage of the Justice Society heroes and that a "force" is undermining all existence. He then cryptically asks her if she's ever heard of Wally West. On Mars, Dr. Manhattan reveals to Firestorm that the Professor purposefully created the accident that merged them to examine metahumans from the inside. (Later, we learn that the Professor was the head of the Department of Metahuman Affairs and likely the creator of the metahumans revealed as part of the Superman Theory.) Wonder Woman addresses the United Nations, and President Trump renounces Superman (hilariously saying in his tweet that he'd done more for the world anyway). It all comes to a head as Batman's message fails to arrive with the League in time and Dr. Manhattan destroys all the heroes on Mars. Meanwhile, on Earth, Black Adam arrives with Giganta and the Creeper to break into the United Nations, announcing he's "making a move." Indeed.
Star Wars #62: "I hate to sound like your dad, kid, but what the hell are you doing hanging around with death cults?" Ha ha ha. Well played, Gillen, well played. Other than that line, the best part of this issue is Leia having to deny that it's a revenge mission as she gathers former allies and colleagues to destroy Shu-Torun.
Uncanny X-Men #13: I’m surprised to say it, but this series may be the most exciting one on the stands right now. For the first time in a long time, Rosenberg gives the X-Men a purpose, as Scott puts together a target list of the X-Men’s greatest threats and thorniest problems. (Logan calls it a kill list. Magik calls it a suicide pack. Probably most accurately, Alex calls it the invite list to the worst party ever.) First on their list is Dark Beast, who they capture only after learning he’s been torturing Jamie Madrox in an underground bunker. (My only complaint with this issue is this part. Not only has Marvel still not told us how Jamie allegedly survived yet another brush with death in "Death of X," when everyone was clear that Jamie Prime was dead even in the "Multiple Man" miniseries, but we have yet another villain torturing him. Can we please put this plotline to rest so we can get back the Jamie that we “X-Factor” fans know and love?) Rosenberg is at his best when he focuses on the team’s dynamic. Alex is the same disgruntled mess that we last saw in the promising “Astonishing X-Men.” In fact, by making the team live in the back of Harry’s Bar, Rosenberg seems to be (wisely) treating this series as an extension of that one. But, that said, Alex has pulled himself together a bit, as he threatens Scott here by telling him that he won’t let Scott become the man that he was (or the X-Men become the team that they were before they died). Rosenberg is underlining Alex as the moral center of the team, which makes sense on a team where the only other members in full charge of their faculties are Scott, Logan, and Illyana. Next issue, Rosenberg picks up where “X-Men Disassembled” ended, with the MLF hitting pharmacies that are distributing the mutant vaccine. The X-Men hiding in the shadows while trying to make the world a better place is exactly where they should be.
Also Read: Age of X-Man: Prisoner X #1; Avengers: No Road Home #4; Conan the Barbarian #4; Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions #1
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