Not-So-New Comics: The September 13 Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Secret Empire Omega #1:  SO.  MUCH.  TALKING.

I didn’t really clock that Captain Nazi was still alive at the end of “Secret Empire.”  It’s right there, but I had other things on my mind at the time.  Here, Steve makes his way to the hole where they’re keeping Captain Nazi to confront the man who damaged his reputation so.  If Spencer falters at all here, it’s in his portrayal of Captain Nazi as a more dedicated fascist than the one we saw over the course of the series.  Captain Nazi has always been portrayed as having doubts about his path, though the man we see here is unrepentant.  Maybe his failure and the death of Elisa have steeled his resolve and finally made him a firm believer in the darker side of the cause, but it's a notable shift in his attitude Spencer doesn't really explain.

At any rate, Steve half-heartedly calls Captain Nazi on his bullshit:  Captain Nazi asserts he didn’t do anything the U.S. government didn't authorize him to do as part of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Act, but Steve dismisses this legalistic argument as hardly acceptable given his destruction of Las Vegas and murder of Jack Flag and Rick Jones.  Captain Nazi more or less asks why Steve is there, and Steve tells the story of a young boy who hesitated in fear when Steve tried to help him from the rubble of Washington, DC.  But, it’s not really that compelling of a reason, and Captain Nazi concludes Steve’s simply fascinated with the path untaken.  Captain Nazi is at his most persuasive when he tells Steve he underestimates the millions of people who whole-heartedly embraced HYDRA.  Spencer is at his best here, reminding us we can’t dismiss torch-bearing racists as easily as we’d like. Spencer wraps up the issue with a guard whispering “Hail HYDRA” in Captain Nazi’s ear, a promise to the reader we’ll hear from him again.

The problem is I'm not sure I care.  This part of the story more or less mirrors "Captain America" #350, where the Red Skull embedded his consciousness in a cloned version of Steve’s body.  I wouldn't be surprised if we see some accident burning away Captain Nazi's face, turning him into the new Skull.  But, I hope Marvel doesn't go that route.  Captain Nazi isn't wrong when he says HYDRA has changed:  as he says, it will no longer see conquering the world as getting the chance to rule it, but regaining a rule HYDRA once had.  Marvel has the opportunity to stop using HYDRA as just another incompetent terrorist organization, but a legitimate threat to the established political order.  If Marvel does that, "Secret Empire" will have really changed the game, Captain Nazi's continued existence aside.  That story would be a lot scary if we didn't have a warmed-over Red Skull redux leading the charge, but instead a new character (preferably a Millennial)  who speaks to those people who embraced HYDRA.

Overall, is this issue necessary?  No, not really.  But, it does remind us Marvel has allowed "Secret Empire" to legitimately change the game (with the possibility of changing it even more).  It's a rare cross-over event that does that, so I'll let Marvel have its victory lap.

Amazing Spider-Man #32:  Every once in a while, Slott turns in an issue that reminds us what he can do when he focuses on the story in front of him and not whatever overarching drama he’s trying to sell us.  In this one-and-done issue, we tour Norman Osborn’s soul.  The nanites Peter injected into him are successfully preventing the Goblin Serum from bonding with Norman's DNA, and he’s desperate to solve that problem.  An acupuncturist sends him to the Temple of No Name, and, in his first test, he’s revealed to possess great potential for the mystic arts.  (His comment that he always tests well made me LOL.)  Slott is uncharacteristically good at the details here.  Rather than let the similarity to other characters’ journeys go unmentioned, Norman makes exactly this observation to one of his three masters.  The master in turn observes certain patterns repeat themselves, but the details are specific to the person:  Norman’s struggle might be similar to Dr. Strange’s or Baron Mordo’s, but how it manifests and resolves itself is uniquely his path.  In the end, Norma rejects his totem animal (a tiger) and chooses the goblin instead.  He summons Spider-Man and defeats him.  But, when he kills him, he reveals himself to be a monster, appalling the three masters.  It’s here where Slott unveils his cleverest trick:  this entire sequence has actually been that first test, one that Norman failed.  The masters expel him, noting they’ll warn all the other orders about him. But, Norman, in typical Norman fashion, is undeterred, since the test revealed the Goblin is still somewhere inside him.  As I said, the copious details and thoughtful storybuilding are rare for Slott:  no loose ends, no deus ex machina, no miracle save.  If only we saw this Dan Slott more often...

Ben Reilly:  Scarlet Spider #7:  I’m not usually a fan of cosmic interference in storylines, but David’s literal deus ex machina here really works.  Marlo is revealed to be Death, and she’s visiting Ben because he’s special:  he’s died the most times of anyone in the Universe, and his soul is blackened and cracked.  Death is interested in him since he seems to be on a path to redemption, and she’s intrigued by his journey to fix his soul.  She assures him he can, but it will take time.  (I really hope we get some sort of soul meter at the end of every issue.)  Ben tries to convince her to bring back Abigail and Kaine, but she wants him to pick one.  He chooses himself (to even the scales), but she refuses.  He attacks her, and it’s clear he only wants her to kill him because he just can’t live with himself anymore.  It’s an emotional moment, but it ends with Death laughing, something (as you can imagine) she had assured us she didn’t really do.  Refreshed after this interaction with a mortal, she grants Ben’s wish.  (It’s interesting to note here not even his seemingly altruistic push for Kaine to be resurrected is totally heroic:  after all, he’s also somewhat suicidal.  It’s a reminder that David may have put Ben on the path to repairing his soul, but the asshole he was as the Jackal is still in there somewhere.)  Death even does him one better:  his face is fully healed.  This part is probably the most controversial one.  In terms of the larger story David is telling, neither Abigail nor Kaine needed to die, so returning them to life doesn’t really affect it.  But, I think most of us probably expected the degenerative disease Ben had to be more of a focus, a sort of race against time as Ben tried to cure it.  But, whatever.  I’m on board with David taking it off the board.  It’s really the last hangover of “The Clone Conspiracy,” and I feel like we’re on secure footing now.  Ben is Ben (if still a little damaged), and he’s on a quest to save his soul, with Kaine nipping at his heels.  That’s a story I’m interested in reading.

Generations:  Captain Marvel and Captain Mar-Vell #1:  Why do I keep falling for Marvel’s tricks and buying these issues when I know they won’t be good?  WHY?

Uncanny Avengers #27:  I don't know why Zub and Izaakse keep insisting on putting Johnny Storm in nothing but tight shorts, but I am not complaining.  Talk about an incentive to keep reading!  It helps that the story isn't half-bad either.  The Avengers engage in some honest-to-goodness teamwork here:  Voodoo provides Scarlet Witch an air elemental to help her survive in space, Rogue distracts Graviton so Wanda can return and wallop him, Rogue delivers the coup de grâce by stealing his powers, and Synapse helps her shake off the insanity that comes with said powers.  It's solid teamwork from start to finish and fun to read to boot.

Also Read:  Star Wars #36; Star Wars:  Doctor Aphra #12; X-Men:  Blue #11

Not-So-New Comics: The August 30 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Secret Empire #10:  This series ends more or less how I expected.  As I mentioned in my review of issue #9, some of the excitement has been missing in the last few issues since Spencer had done such a solid job of setting up the denouement.  But, Spencer still does his best to throw some surprises our way.  Bucky has Sam give Captain Nazi the last Cube fragment, figuring (correctly) that unifying the Cube would unify Kobik.  Under the guidance of Dream Steve, Kobik finds the courage to stand against Captain Nazi, erasing the history he and HYDRA created.  Spencer also answers some long-standing questions:  for example, we learn Elisa used a fragment of the Cosmic Cube to rewrite Mjolnir's rules, rewarding the strongest not the worthiest.  It explains why Captain Nazi could wield the hammer in "Secret Empire" #0, though I'm not quite sure we ever learn how Elise got her hands on the shard in the first place.  That said, I still have questions.  We never really resolve the implication in "Secret Empire" #1 that Steve had embraced HYDRA before Kobik rewrote history, and I'm still not sure we learned who the new Kraken is.  (I'm still pulling for it to be Ian.)  Spencer also does the unthinkable and doesn't use Kobik to retcon everything:  Natasha and Rick stay dead, Sharon stays old, etc.  The issue ends with Barf, the young Inhuman who began the series, reuniting with his little brother and returning home to find his house graffiti-ed with HYDRA slogans.  (I admit I teared up a bit at their reunion, a surprising reminder of how emotionally engaged I was with this series.)  The next day, Barf awakens to discover the community helping clean up the house, epitomizing the message Spencer is sending:  Kobik left the scars to remind us what happens when we embrace the easy answer.  Once again, it's not hard to see the parallels to current events, but Spencer gets us there without sounding too preachy.  All in all, as I've previously said, this event has hands-down been the best Marvel has published since possibly "Siege."  Spencer adroitly sets up the "Generations" mini-series and larger "Legacy" relaunch this fall.  But, perhaps more importantly, he told a well constructed and emotionally engaging story about the fight between good versus evil.  Back to basics, indeed.

Generations:  Hawkeye and Hawkeye #1:  Man, as Katie herself says here, I miss these two.  Can we please get the band back together?

Spider-Gwen #23:  This issue might be the most perfect issue of a comic ever.  Mary Jane has to convince Glory to cover drums since Gwen is busy in Madripoor, and Blumenreich and Latour take us on an amazing tour of the girls' lives in the process.  Seriously, I would 100% read a Blumenreich-penned series just about the Mary Janes sans Gwen.  She really taps into what it feels like to be young in a way that reminds you how powerful of a medium comics can be.  We see the best and worst of Mary Jane here, from the self-centered whining Glory cites as the reason she originally left the band to her literal ass-kicking when she beats up the guy accosting Betsy because she wouldn't give him the time of day.  (I don't know how she did it, but Blumenreich immediately telegraphed this guy was bad news when he approached Betsy at the party.  When he accosts the girls on the street, it feels very much like the threat it is.)  The ending on the subway - with Mary Jane telling Glory she'd punch out all the guys for her and Glory not being able to stay mad at her - is just the magic of the friendships of our youth.  As Uatu says (seriously) at the start of this issue, this series used to be fun but it's gotten really dark.  Hurrah for a break from that, for Uatu and us.

Star Wars #35:  Aaron has really been on a roll lately.  After last issue’s great romp with Sana and Lando, I figured we’d be getting a multi-issue arc here.  Instead, we get another great one-and-done issue, as Han outmaneuvers Grakkus to trick him into revealing where his safe house (and all its weapons) is located.  Aaron has Han’s voice down so completely you can hear Harrison Ford speaking the dialogue in your mind.  Moreover, the art is great:  Delgado’s colors are downright cinematic as a result of his amazing use of lighting.  (After only a few pages I flipped back to the title page to see who the colorist was.)  Issues like this one remind me what a golden age of Star Wars it is.

Uncanny Avengers #26:  After all this time, I continue to believe this series is the real Avengers title.  Zub just gets it.  The sexual tension between Johnny and Rogue and Voodoo and Wanda reminds me of the good ol’ days, when everyone was sleeping with each other and it caused problems on and off the battlefield.  Johnny and Rogue are particularly charming here as a couple:  they both start with bravado but fade to honest-to-goodness feelings.  (Johnny Storm!  Talking about feelings!)  Izaakse is a great find, a less highly defined version of McNiven who works well for this title.  (Johnny in his little shorts is particularly a revelation.)  Moreover, Zub puts us squarely in that most Avengers of all moments:  after a great battle where they’re divided and exhausted, they have to find a way to keep on going.  Even the battle itself mirrors their situation:  they’re squatting in Avengers Mansion after the previous occupants abandoned it during “Secret Empire,” and Graviton turns everything upside down in his attempt to prove life is meaningless and random.  They’re literally fighting for meaning here, and it’s a great ride.  I would say I'd like Zub to do a little more with Janet here, as I feel like she's often portrayed as more inexperienced than she is.  I get Rogue is also experienced, but, I mean, Janet is Janet.

X-Men:  Blue #10:  From Hank’s dark-magic use to Bobby’s more serious mien, Bunn is reminding us we’ve gone beyond the point where these kids are the kids we knew.  They’re their own characters, and their new personalities are on full display.  Moreover, we get another amazing group of enemies here, as the Goblin Queen manipulates Hank into bringing her “Hex-Men” into the present.  Adding even more intrigue, this series seems to be the one where Marvel is exploring the fallout of “Secret Wars,” as Jimmy and Warren explore his origins.  When you add in there the possibility of Magneto and Polaris fireworks, this series is really the best soap opera in town!  (Also, Romeo, Jesus, return Bobby's calls!)  

Also Read:  Dungeons & Dragons:  Frost Giant's Fury #5; Rebels:  These Free and Independent States #6

Not-So-New Comics: The August 23 Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Secret Empire #9:  Spencer does a solid job of keeping up the suspense here.  It's hard to get us on the edge of our seats the way he did in early issues, given it's pretty clear how the story is going to end:  the heroes will take on a Cube-powered Captain Nazi while Dream Steve convinces Kobik to restore him to reality.  But, the story unfolds well; I only had two nitpicks.  First, I would've loved some sort of chart showing which side possessed which shards.  I initially thought the heroes had two shards -- one from Ultron and one from the Savage Land -- but last issue they only seemed to have the Ultron one.  That said, I don't care that much; it's why a chart would've been helpful, since it would've been simple to understand the status quo.  (Instead, we get the weird "cast of characters" page that adds nothing to the story.)  Second, it's hard to believe Sam managed to free New York from the Darkforce Dimension and bring down the Shield with only one shard (assuming his use of the shard allowed those events to happen).  If true, you'd have to imagine Steve doesn't need some Cube-powered suit to take out the heroes.  He might not be able to rewrite history without the final shard, but it seems like he could easily just wish away his opponents.  At any rate, we are where we are.  Spencer includes some grace notes here, like Carol and Sam taking a moment to reflect on how fun it is to kick the HYDRA troops' asses.  But, for the most part, it's really about following the silver ball through the Rube Goldberg machine while we wait for Kobik to right her wrongs.

Ben Reilly:  Scarlet Spider #6:  I love Peter David, and I'm willing to ride this one until the end with him.  However, I'm surprised I don't really have a great read on Ben Reilly as a character after six issues.  (Conversely, Miguel O'Hara was a fully formed character after just the first three-issue arc of the original "Spider-Man 2099" series.)  David portrays Ben as desperate:  he's trying to save Diva's daughter simply because he doesn't have a lot of great options when it comes to employment.  But, honestly, it's sort of hard to believe.  He could pretty easily just use his Spider-Powers to rob enough banks to set himself up nicely and then decide what he wants to do.  Instead, he just seems to be hanging around Vegas in search of a larger plan.  In other words, after six issues, I still don't get the core conceit of this series.  He's not wandering the country like an outlaw like he used to do or serving as a city's reluctant hero like Kaine did in Houston.  He's just...there.

Detective Comics #963:  I've mentioned previously it's sometimes hard to remember what changed from the DCU to the DCnU, particularly when it comes to Batman's continuity.  For the most part, everything stayed the same, except for some outrageous changes that DC wisely promptly ignored (like Joker manipulating Jason's life essentially from birth to Tim not figuring out Batman's identity).  However, sometimes the change feels more abrupt, as is the case here with Anarky.  Anarky was playing a key role in Fabian Nicieza's run on "Red Robin" when the DCU came to an end, and I think that version of the character is fresh in most of our minds.  Moreover, Buccellato and Manapul introduced a completely different character using that moniker in their own run on this title.  As such, it's hard to tell what character we're getting here.  I acknowledge I don't get all the Bat-family titles.  Maybe he's already debuted in "Red Hood and the Outlaws" or "Teen Titans" (or "Batgirl" since I stopped reading it).  But, it's this uncertainty that detracts from the story Tynion is trying to tell here.  I get why Spoiler would be attracted to Anarky in the abstract.  But, since it's impossible to know what this Anarky feels, it's also hard not to feel at least partially confused.

Iceman #4:  I really, really, really wanted Bobby to make out with Daken.  [Fan sigh.]  That said, something still isn't clicking for me and this series.  At times in this issue, it was an effort to make my way through the dialogue, something I don't think I should've felt given the sexually charged banter the fight between Bobby and Daken brought to the table.  But, I'm hoping Sina finds his groove in the same way I hope Bobby does.  Each issue feels like an improvement, and I'm hoping we'll really be cooking with gas (or, I don't know, freezing the lake?) in a few issues if it keeps improving.

Nightwing:  The New Order #1:  To use the cliché, Higgins leaves us with more questions than answers here, but so far it's a good thing.  First and foremost, Higgins doesn't tell us why Dick decided to turn against the metahuman community.  All we know is he activated a device that stripped 90 percent of metahumans of their powers; the remaining metahumans either were forced to take inhibiting drugs or, if they didn't work, imprisoned until a "cure" could be found.  It's a pretty serious shift to the fascist, and Higgins certainly has to explain how it happened at some point.  It appears Dick had a child with Starfire, so my original guess -- that a metahuman killed Barbara -- might not wind up being true.  Moreover, Alfred himself opposes Dick's approach -- particularly the indefinite detention of metahumans who don't respond to treatment -- making it even more unclear why Dick himself would take this position.  But, we also have the larger question:  why give us this series now?  Did Higgins just decide to launch this miniseries because he had the idea, or will we see either the themes or the outcomes of this miniseries impact the "real world?"  I'm intrigued.

Also Read:  Generations:  The Unworthy Thor and the Mighty Thor #1; Pathfinder:  Runescars #4; Peter Parker:  The Spectacular Spider-Man #3; Star Wars:  Doctor Aphra Annual #1; X-Men:  Gold #10

Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The August 9 Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Captain America #25 and Secret Empire #8:  OK, here we go.  In “Captain America” #25, Tony reveals he’s figured out each Cosmic Cube fragment has its own juice.  I’ll be honest I’m not quite sure I understand his explanation of the discovery.  He apparently realized Ulysses’ vision of Miles killing Cap didn’t come true because Cap was holding a Cosmic Cube fragment when Miles had a chance to kill him in "Secret Empire" #7.  In other words, Steve wished Miles didn’t kill him, and it worked.  This development results in the usual cascade of problems I've come to expect when confronted with prophecy-based stories, as you have to wonder why Ulysses’ prediction didn’t factor in the Cube fragment’s presence.  But, if I know anything after 30+ years of reading comics, it’s not to expect prophecy-based or time-travel stories to make sense.  In other words, fine:  the Cube changed the history Ulysses predicted because, I don't know, it exists outside reality.  Whatever.  At any rate, Tony's realization sets up the plan we see unfolding at the start of “Secret Empire” #8:  Sam and Tony use the fragment they have to free New York from the Darkforce Dimension and destroy the Shield, freeing the heroes trapped on the other side.  To be honest, this issue is the first one to feel like filler, even though a lot happens.  Spencer builds some suspense by showing the heroes fail yet again to deliver:  Sam gets shot in his attempt to triangulate himself between the Darkforce Dimension and the Shield, failing to give the heroes the juice they need to free themselves.  As such, Dr. Strange’s spell and Rocket’s bomb fail.  But, Spencer reminds us the Cube works in mysterious ways.  Instead, Hawkeye’s jail break allows Maria Hill to kill “Bob,” a.k.a. Blackout, and Quasar’s coma comes to an end.  With the heroes reunited, Namor reveals the ace up his sleeve we saw at the end of “Captain America” #25:  Bucky is alive.  As I said, though, this issue is missing something, given the conclusion seems more and more inevitable.  It's not like the first few issues where I legitimately had no idea where Spencer was going.  It seems pretty clear the team is going to somehow use the Cube to "save" Steve.  That said, it might not have been the most exciting installment of this event, but I also have to admit we do have some momentum carrying us into the finale.

Amazing Spider-Man #31:  Something about Doc Ock makes Dan Slott just completely lose the plot, and I use that expression almost literally here.  Peter orders everyone in Parker Industries to active worms that destroy everything the company has created; he does so to prevent Otto from breaking into PI's systems and using its technology to advance HYDRA.  I get that, but, as usual, Slott takes it too far.  At one point, Phillip Chang physically burns his written notes.  Really?  How exactly was Otto going to access them remotely when he hacked into Parker Industries?  Couldn't Phillip just have left the building with them?  Also, does he really remember nothing of his research?  He basically says he'll never be able to introduce his clean fuel.  It's like he's Drew Barrymore in "50 First Dates" and forgets what he did the previous day until he reads his notes.  It's just one  of several examples showing why this development makes no sense.  In addition, Peter seems to deny Otto’s (entirely accurate) claim he, not Peter, started Parker Industries.  WTF, Peter?  On some level, the story supports this bias, since Peter didn't bother to make sure to scrub Otto from the system.  But, does Peter really not believe Otto started PI?  If he does, wouldn’t scrubbing Otto from the system be the first thing you'd do after discovering Otto had been in charge of your body for months?  OK, first, I’d take a shower at the idea of the dirty things he did with my penis.  Then, I’d make sure I eliminated any back-door programs.  Peter's inability to do so -- and, by extension, inability to acknowledge Otto's role in the creation of PI -- really challenges my ability to suspend disbelief.  It's part of Slott's approach to Peter as a bumbling idiot that I've never bought and just supports my hope we'll one day be freed from his control.

Generations:  Phoenix and Jean Grey #1:  If all "Generations" titles are as meaningless and poorly scripted as this one, I need to admit right now Marvel has yet again figured out a way to swindle me.

Ms. Marvel #21:  I've always been impressed with Wilson's ability to convey complicated social themes in an emotional yet somehow still neutral way, and she really tops herself here.  The revelation Basic Becky's creepy henchman is Josh isn't all that surprising.  It's more surprising Wilson is able to handle him with such care, showing a broken young man who wanted to be seen as more than a dumb white jock.  These sorts of messages can get lost in everyone shouting at each other today ("Poor little white boy!") but Wilson really manages to sell it.  As Kamala says, at some point, it's just Josh and Kamala sitting on the floor of the mosque talking about their hurt.  We probably need a lot more of that.

Star Wars:  Doctor Aphra #11 and Star Wars:  Rogue One - Cassian and K2SO Special #1:  I lumped these two issues together because they basically tell the same story:  both Aphra and Cassian have to deal with droids trying to kill them.  In so doing, the Story Group reminds us just how dangerous this far, far away galaxy is, as you not only have to contend with all sorts of humanoids trying to kill you but droids, too.  Triple-Zero is really the star of the show, though, as he not only manipulates Rur to get in the kills Aphra has denied him but also backs her into a corner as Vader boards the ship.  In so doing, Gillen is setting up a stark reminder about the limits of Aphra's occasional "good" impulses.  Would she allow Triple-Zero to kill more indiscriminately just to keep his talents on her side?  It feels like a safe bet to take.

Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The July 26 "Secret Empire" Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Secret Empire #7:  This issue is possibly the single best issue of an event -- possibly any comic -- ever.  I was holding my breath as we moved step by step to the end.  (I know I said that last issue, but who knew Spencer would top himself so quickly!)

Let's start at the beginning.  First, I would really love Spencer to write "Captain Marvel," because he gets her better than anyone since Kelly Sue.  Her monologue begging Quasar to awaken so she can redeem herself was a brilliant piece of characterization, as Carol realizes "Civil War II" put them on the path to this moment.  She realizes she's exactly like Tony, desperately seeking for someone to tell her she's the hero she hopes she is.  (It's clearly a bitter pill to swallow, and it really matches nicely what A.I. Tony said to Steve in issue #6).  Spencer's gift here is making everything seem like it's the logical conclusion of past events:  Carol's guilt from "Civil War II," Miles' destiny to kill Captain America from "IvX," Hank merging with Ultron in "Avengers:  Rage of Ultron."  They're important components of the tension Spencer builds throughout the issue.  In fact, Spencer has made it clear from the start the events of this series are not only grounded in the past but are unlikely to be simply ret-conned at the end.  It's really what has made it so enjoyable, to my mind.

Spencer also addresses the generational issues at hand as well.  Natasha locks up Miles so he can't realize his destiny to kill Captain America:  it's like she's saying she wants one more chance for her generation to clean up the mess it's made before the innocent get blood on their hands.  But, she can't.  Punisher stops her before she can pull the trigger, giving Miles time to escape.  She defeats Frank (of course she does), and Sorrentino does an amazing job showing her panicked dash to the scene of the battle between Miles and Steve.  He's equally adept at showing her death, as she leaps between them and Steve's shield shatters her skull.  Natasha Romanova has always, always deserved to be the hero, and she gets to be here, at the cost of her life.  (Sure, she's probably going to return.  But, in the moment, I believed the story Spencer was telling here, unlike most times a character dies.)  An enraged Miles attacks Steve with new vigor, but, picking up the theme of generation change, Wasp gets to him before he strikes the final blow.  She tells him he's not a killer, and she begs him to respect Natasha's sacrifice:  she died because she knew he wasn't a killer.  Miles agrees, and the kids are arrested by HYDRA's security forces.

Later, Steve has his troops bring him to Sharon, where he laments the losses surrounding him.  He whines it wasn't supposed to go this way; he was going to save everyone, not send Bucky, Rick, Elisa, and now Natasha to their deaths.  Sharon then tries to kill him, and I cheered.  Sharon fucking Carter, man.  She never doesn't come to play.  But, he stops her, and it's the last straw:  totally alone, he promises war.  The remaining members of the Underground are broken as they watch Natasha die, and Giant Man asks if it's over.  A voice says it's not, and I teared up a bit as I saw Sam Wilson stand in that last panel wearing his Captain America costume and holding the shield.  White nationalists paraded through Charlottesville the day before I wrote this review, and damn if I didn't feel better seeing Sam Wilson tell me to believe in America still.

Captain America:  Steve Rogers #19 and Captain America:  Sam Wilson #24:  I'm reviewing these issues jointly because they're flipsides of the same coin, with Steve finally putting on his HYDRA Supreme Leader gear and Sam putting on the Captain America uniform (as seen at the end of "Secret Empire" #7).  Steve's issue doesn't have that much emotional impact; Spencer is really just drawing a line under the sense at the end of "Secret Empire" #7 that Steve is putting away childish things.  He's lost everyone -- Tony, Bucky, Rick, Elisa, Natasha, and Sharon -- and he seems to finally accept he doesn't get to be the hero anymore.  I'd recommend reading that issue first, because Sam's issue is much more inspiring.  Misty tries to convince him to put on his uniform, revealing she defied his request to return it to Steve.  (She's right about how she made the right call.)  In a fit of anger, Sam tells Misty he doesn't believe America deserves Captain America anymore, and it's Patriot who convinces him otherwise.  He asks if you really just give up a war because you're outgunned and outnumbered, reminding Sam that giving up the uniform just gave his enemies what they wanted and left the vulnerable without a champion.  It's hard work, Sam, but someone has to do it.

Also Read:  Occupy Avengers #9

Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The July 19 Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

I'm back!  It's been a hectic few weeks, so sorry for the delay.  I've got a few reviews in the can, so hopefully I'll be current soon!

Secret Empire #6:  I know some people aren't reading this event because they object to Captain Nazi, and I understand that, but, OMG, it's so good and I feel bad for them.  This issue starts off fairly staid but Spencer just keeps building and building the tension until I realized I was holding my breath.  The issue begins with the Champions arguing with Nadia because she refuses to be part of Natasha's new Red Room.  (Natasha is training them for their assault on HYDRA.)  Miles later encourages Natasha to be more forthcoming with the team to address Nadia's concerns.  I thought the rest of the issue would be filled with similar sorts of character vignettes, serving as a stock-taking of the characters' emotional states before the push to the finale.  But, um, no.  First, Spencer reveals Mockingbird wasn't communicating with Cap; she's in cahoots with Maria Hill.  (Hurrah!  Spidey is going to get some!)  Hill has several plans she wants to put into action, but Mockingbird convinced her to delay while they waited to see if Hawkeye could pull off the win.  It turns out Scott betrayed the team because HYDRA got to Cassie.  Spencer does an outstanding job in this sequence, perfectly capturing Quicksilver's outrage at Mockingbird's accusation he was the spy as well as Scott's devastation over once again falling short of being a hero.  On HYDRA's ship, Bruce is speaking in lower-case lettering, making me wonder if he's not the Ultimate Universe version of Bruce Banner.  He refuses Cap's offer to get vengeance on the people Cap claims hated him for never submitting to their will, so Cap activates the Hulk instead.  Cap leads an attack on the Mount, and Giant-Man helps turn the tide when he reveals he's replicated Egghead's robot Avengers.  It gives the team enough time to evacuate the refugees after Thor turns a blind eye.  But, it's the last few pages of this issue that take the cake.  In possibly his most real moment ever, Tony admits to Steve he keeps trying to be him, but he keeps failing because he's not made of the same stuff.  He was trying to save him this time because he wanted to be to Steve what Steve has always been to him:  his hero.  But, he acknowledges he failed, and he activates a nuclear bomb.  However, Elisa sacrifices her life to save Steve, teleporting him from the blast zone.  Devastated upon hearing the news, Natasha assumes everyone is dead and tells the Champions it's time to kill Steve.  It's a gripping ride, from start to finish.  It's one of the best comics I've ever read, and it's probably the best issue of any event ever.  I can't wait to see where we go from here.

Astonishing X-Men #1:  Marvel has marketed this series as an ambitious one, in the mode of Whedon's run on this title.  So far Soule and Cheung don't disappoint.  They really summon the energy of the 1990s X-Men as they assemble an all-star 1990s lineup:  Archangel, Beast, Bishop, Fantomex, Gambit, Psylocke, Rogue, and Wolverine.  The premise is also pretty solid:  the Shadow King is scheming, seemingly killing lesser psychics in his attempt to enter our world.  He then tries to possess Psylocke since she's stronger, but she manages to call for help, hence the all-star lineup.  Archangel and Bishop agree to stay with Psylocke to protect her while she sends the rest of the team onto the Astral Plane to take on the Shadow King.  I'm perfectly content with this start, though I did have some questions about the status quo of several of the characters.  For example, I initially thought Angel and Archangel were still two separate entities, but I was reminded after reading the Marvel Database of the events of "Apocalypse Wars," where they were united.  However, I thought this new Angel still wasn't the same person as the old Angel; he didn't have old Angel's memories or personality.  Soule necessarily deny that, but he does depict enough chemistry between Betsy and Warren that you have to wonder.  I also hadn't realized Bishop had returned from the desolate Earth where Cable stranded him at the end of "Homecoming."  But, again, the Internet tells me otherwise.  This confusion means it probably is time some of these characters returned to the mainstream, so I already feel like Soule has achieved what he intended here.  ResurrXion indeed.

Mighty Thor #21:  Aaron seems to imply both War Thor's hammer and Jane Foster's hammer are scheming against them, pushing Volstagg to kill when he doesn't want to do so and encouraging Thor to sacrifice her health by appealing to her decency.  I'm intrigued to see where he goes with this idea.

Peter Parker:  The Spectacular Spider-Man #2:  I can't say Zdarsky hits a home run here.  Some aspects of the plot are completely ridiculous.  For example, I still don't buy Peter going on a date as Spider-Man.  He may have tried to do that as a 16-year-old, but he's a grown-ass man now.  It's irresponsible, as his date herself notes when she observes it's more dangerous for her to be on a date with Spider-Man than it would be his alter ego.  (Peter argued he stayed in costume because people who know his identity get hurt.)  Also, Riri apparently can't trace the phone Peter gave her but she can trace the "environmentals."  She "scanned" every component of the phone and the "lowest layer of particulates" tells her the phone came from somewhere in a specific square block in Lower East Manhattan.  Tha fuck?  Can she also bend space and time?  I mean, seriously.  Why not just have her find a way to trace the supposedly untraceable phone?  As the writer, you don't have to create such a fakakta method for her tracking down the Kingpin (the owner of the phone).  But, all that said, Zdarsky does a marvelous job of getting down Peter's voice.  He's a little too adolescent at times, but, for the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm actually reading about Peter Parker and not whoever that guy in "Amazing Spider-Man" is.  We get a focus on him as a person, from his friendship with Johnny to his relationship with his "sister."  It's comforting and something we've been missing for a long time.  Moreover, Kubert makes it all look great. If Zdarsky could tone down the sophomoric behavior a bit, I think this title could easily become the Spider-Man title for me.

Spider-Man 2099 #25:  Only Peter David could wrap up the loose ends of this series (and the preceding ones) so well.  As expected, Miguel survives his foretold "death" because Strange teleports him from the moment he dies to the "present" -- brilliantly, New Year's Eve 2100 -- removing any possibility of a time paradox.  But, how we get there is equally brilliant.  Miguel learns he dies saving Tempest in 2017, and Gabri and he (though, notably, not Tempest) agree he has to return to the past to make sure it happens exactly that way.  He does, and we learn Tempest kills him:  Tyler programmed a post-hypnotic suggestion for her to kill him the minute he kisses her.  She also immediately forgets it was her, and Miguel fades to his death hiding that from her.  But, before he saved Tempest, he had sent Roberta to 2099 after confirming it had returned to the way it was.  Gabri apparently traveled to the future to tell Roberta about Miguel's fate, and she had Strange pull him to 2099 the minute he "died."  (I'm not sure how Gabri knew who Roberta was, but I'll ignore that part.)  All's well that ends well!  Including the initial 12-issue run of this series and "Secret Wars" 2099, this issue brings to a close a 42-issue series that introduced Miguel to a new group of fans.  I sincerely hope Marvel pulls the trigger on "Defenders 2100" so we can see what David didn't show us, namely, what the 2099 (now 2100) world looks like.  David also didn't wrap up all the loose ends.  Although we know Tempest and Gabri traveled to 2019 to prevent Tyler Stone from destroying New York (and creating the timeline Miguel was trying to prevent from coming into reality), we don't know why they became time travelers in the first place.  After all, in 2019, Gabri would be no more than two years old.  When's their "real" time?  It may explain why Gabri knew about Roberta, but we don't know for sure.  I'm also not entirely sure why Miguel's presence in the past opened the door to Tyler trying to destroy 2019, something he allegedly wouldn't have done if Miguel hadn't traveled to the past.  But, I'm willing just to concede it did somehow.  David lays the foundation for future shenanigans as well, as Miguel ends the series doubting his ability not to contact Tempest and Gabri.  Fingers crossed Marvel lets him.

X-Men:  Blue #7-#8:  First, who the fuck is Briar Raleigh?  Also, when the fuck did she start paying for the Mansion?  I don't recall seeing her at all in "X-Men Gold," and you'd figure Kitty would be dancing a jig over someone paying for the Mansion.  Also, when the fuck did Havok become Magneto?  I mean, he's not physically Magneto.  But, you could replace him with 1980s Magneto here and his dialogue would perfectly match.  In addition to these mysteries weighing down the issue, Bunn falls into the unfortunate pitfall of most event tie-ins, not having time to explain why everyone chose the side she or he chose.  Firestar is suddenly part of the New Tian strike force?  Has she ever really associated with the mutants?  For that matter, Marrow is totally OK with New Tian?  Shouldn't she view it as one more example of mutants failing other mutants by allowing humans to live there?  As a result, all the fights feel random.  I like the sexual tension between Jean and Jimmy, but everything else just feels poorly aligned.

Also Read:  Ms. Marvel #20; U.S.Avengers #8

Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The June 14 Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Secret Empire #4:  Spencer handles the Avengers' fucked up family dynamics and history so well here I hope they hand him the reins of that book after this event ends.  I'll admit I can't quite remember where we left things with Hanktron after his arc in "Uncanny Avengers."  But, it seems totally reasonable to me that his response to the current situation is to hide in a city full of his clones in Alaska and wait for everyone to kill each other.

Spencer does a great job of slowly building to the conflict as Tony and his team and Steve and his team make their respective ways to Alaska and the Cosmic Cube shard.  When they unexpectedly encounter each other, we're all ready for a battle royale.  But, instead, Ultron captures everyone and makes them suffer through an awkward family dinner.  Just as I was wondering why Odinson, Scarlet Witch, and Vision were on Steve's side, Spencer uses the dinner as a vehicle to explain:  Thor wants back the Hammer Steve took in "FCBD:  Secret Empire #1," Wanda is possessed by Chthon, and the Vision has a virus.  But, everything goes to Hell in a handbasket why Tony antagonizes Hank, realizing his raging inferiority complex means he might actually be Hank.  Hank just wants everything to be like it was, but it can't be, Tony says, because no one ever forgave him for beating Jan.  I mean, talk about dropping a bomb of truth!

I love Spencer using the Avengers' history as the catalyst for the fight here.  It really heightens the sense I've had throughout this event that Marvel might actually make the developments stick (and not magically erase them with the Cosmic Cube.)  By the second or third issue of most cross-over events -- I'm thinking particularly of "Age of Ultron" and "Avengers vs. X-Men" -- it's pretty clear some device (metaphorical or physical) is going to be used to undo the developments occurring in the event.  But, you really get the sense this event is going to have consequences, as Spencer keeps it firmly rooted in the Marvel Universe's history.  For example, Hank stresses how everyone is tired of Steve's strategizing and Tony's plotting, reminding them how disastrous "Civil War" was.  In other words, everything we're seeing here has been a long time coming, not an artificially manufactured crisis to test our heroes.

In the end, it's Scott Lang who saves the day.  He tells Hank he's his idol because he, too, screwed up his life in one moment, but he kept on going.  Scott says he lives his life by asking what his daughter would do in difficult situations, and he asks Hank what Jan would want him to do.  Hank gives Scott the shard and sends everyone on his way.  But, Spencer has two aces up his sleeve.  First, the destruction of the Atlantean temple in issue #3 sends Namor to Washington to surrender his shard, disillusioning Hawkeye's team.  Mockingbird tries to rally them, reminding them they just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other one.  But, Cap reveals to Dr. Faustus he has a mole on the team.  It's hard to see how the heroes are going to win this one, and it's why this series so far is legitimately exciting.

Uncanny Avengers #24:  This issue starts off oddly, since we ended last issue expecting the team to head to New Orleans to fight Brother Voodoo's brother.  But, Zub makes it clear the team is as surprised as we are to find themselves suddenly trapped in New York.  Spencer hasn't had a lot of time to focus on New York in the main "Secret Empire" title; we've only really seen Dagger lighting the city when she can and Kingpin planning for the post-bubble days.  As such, I'm intrigued to get this insight into New York as it struggles with the isolation imposed by Blackout.  The events in this issue happen right after "Secret Empire" #0, so the team is basically acting as first responders.  Presumably, if we fast-forwarded to where we are in "Secret Empire" #4, they're connected with all the other heroes.  But, right now, they're trying to save who they can.  The weirdest part is Jan and Rogue fighting.  Jan is trying to convince Rogue they need a strategy, and Rogue is just trying to punch stuff.  It's like Zub hasn't read a comic with Rogue in it since 2008.  But, hopefully it's just a weird blip, an attempt to illustrate how rattled they all are by the sudden turn of events.  We'll see.

Ben Reilly:  Scarlet Spider #3:  I can't say it doesn't feel forced, but David at least puts Ben in his original costume in this issue, so I feel like I have some hope for the future.

Ms. Marvel #19:  Willow doesn't pull any punches here, as HYDRA Chuck from the previous gentrification arc has somehow gotten himself made into Mayor Worthy and placed Basic Becky (a.k.a. Lockdown) in charge of the Gestapo.  (They're actually called Keepers of Integration, Normalization, and Deference, or KIND.)  Kamala puts two and two together pretty quickly when KIND "agents" accost her outside her house, revealing they're looking for someone with superpowers.  Like any good bureaucrat, Becky delegates the fight with Kamala to her henchman, Discord.  (I can't remember how Kamala connects KIND to Becky but she does.)  When Discord neutralized Kamala with electricity, she realizes he's spent a lot of time studying her, since he knows it's her weakness.  (We're obviously supposed to believe it's Bruno, but that seems too obvious.)  He eventually zaps her into unconsciousness.  Elsewhere, KIND winds up arresting Aamir, Kamala's brother, believing him to have the superpowers.  Moreover, all these events take place against the backdrop of Eid al-Fitr celebrations.  Although KIND takes in Aamir for allegedly possessing superpowers, it's not hard to see the larger point Willow is making.  (She also has Zoe panic when she hears about KIND, revealing she's an illegal immigrant:  she was born in France.)  Willow makes it even more complicated as Discord gets Kamala to admit to herself the crowds who rallied to Worthy side's in the gentrification arc didn't do so simply because they were mesmerized:  some people really believed what he was saying.  By returning to this issue, Willow shows she's telling an ongoing story about the struggle between freedom and fear.  She manages not to get preachy as she does it, keeping the story focused on the emotions people feel on both sides.  I'm intrigued to see where she goes in the next three issues in this arc.

Star Wars #32:  I have to admit, I'm really enjoying the Screaming Citadel arc.  Aaron cleverly uses a rebooted Rur to exposit not only the regret Aphra feels for abandoning Luke but the fact she doesn't normally feel this way about someone she betrays.  Rur correctly posits they understand each other because of their shared tragedies and all I have to say is I'm beyond excited if we're getting a buddy-comedy series featuring Aphra and Luke.  Aphra reminds us why she's a survivor when she not only returns to save Luke but also infects him with the symbiote.  I know it doesn't sound like doing Luke a solid, but it is:  Aphra correctly figures the Hive is run by the strongest will, setting up a conflict between Luke and the Queen.

X-Men:  Blue #5:  First, I love Bunn adding Jimmy to the team as a way to make sure they always have some sort of Wolverine.  Clever.  Moreover, the fight sequence with the Marauders was really one of the best I've read in a while, exactly the sort of excellent match of opposing personalities and powers that makes for archenemies.  But, Bunn raises the stakes when he reveals the Marauders are all displaced from other realities, presumably ones destroyed as part of "Secret Wars."  They've had their memories wiped, and Miss Sinister reveals to Jean she's taken advantage of that situation to turn them into weapons.  She allows Jean to keep Jimmy since his resistance to telepathy is too strong to make him useful to her, and Jean is left wondering about her agenda.  Bunn doesn't stop the mystery there, though.  First, we have no idea how many of these reality-displaced mutants there are (and how many Miss Sinister controls).  Second, Jean, Magneto, and Miss Sinister all observe something "different' about these mutants:  they're not "just" mutants, but it's unclear what that means.  In other words, Bunn has given us enough questions to keep us interested for a good long while.  Along the way, he's doing a great job with the characterization as well:  Bobby and Quicksilver essentially compete in out-annoying the other one, and I could read that all day.

Also Read:  Captain America:  Sam Wilson #23; Dragon Age:  Knight Errant #2; Dungeons & Dragons:  Frost Giant's Fury #3; Generation X #3; Secret Empire:  United #1

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

The Flash #22:  Williamson does what he can here, given the editors' clear instructions to give us a peak behind the curtain without drawing it back entirely.  As expected, Thawne encounters Dr. Manhattan, who destroys him, likely because he doesn't want anyone to be able to identify him.  (I'm still not sure how Thawne recognized him, but I feel like that's a story for another time.)  As Barry and Bruce are left flailing in the timestream, Jay Garrick calls to Barry.  Barry says his name, allowing Jay to rescue them.  However, Barry doesn't recognize Jay the way he did Wally, causing Jay to seemingly disappear back into the timestream.  Williamson makes it clear both Barry and Bruce are shaken by this arc's events:  Bruce was unable to save his father and Barry was unable to save Jay.  The biggest unanswered question is why Dr. Manhattan would risk exposing himself by arranging this experience in the first place.  After all, Barry and Bruce are clearly committed to investigating the incident now.  But, it seems less an accidental oversight than an intentional mystery, presumably one to be answered later.  Meanwhile, in an ad after the issue concludes, we're told the "Doomsday Clock" event is coming in November as the blood on the smiley-face button morphs into Superman's shield.  I'm not sure if I'm excited, but, if I am, King and Williamson handling this cross-over event with such aplomb got me there.

Secret Empire #2:  Spencer avoids the "Age of Ultron" trap here by making the heroes' next steps pretty damn logical.  Tony eventually reviews the thumbdrive the new Patriot brought him, revealing a message from Rick detailing the truth behind Steve's betrayal.  (He hacked into Hydra's files to get the information.)  Hawkeye wants to lead a team to track down the pieces of the Cube, but, since Dr. Selvig was smart enough to hide them outside HYDRA territory, he and his team have to get smuggled past the (very secure) border to do so.  On the other hand, Natasha feels it's a fool's errand.  She recalls all the people they lost in previous attempts to prove Steve was a clone or a LMD and argues (pretty convincingly) Steve would want them to kill him if he knew how he was being used.  Miles doesn't necessarily agree with her, but he feels his destiny is to kill Steve (per "Inhumans vs. X-Men") so he and the Champions join her.  (Yes, I'll be getting "Secret Empire:  Uprising.")  Meanwhile, Clint and his team are on the border in a Mos Eisley sort of town.  Ant-Man leads them to Sam, who helped him smuggle Cassie across the border.  Let's just say Sam isn't too thrilled to see them.  In the Darkforce dimension, Dagger is killing herself to provide the only light the city gets while Kingpin is providing help to the population with the request that people remember his help when the sun "returns."  Throughout the issue, Spencer does an excellent job keeping up the pace while still taking us through all the steps necessary to make these developments feel organic.  But, it's the last page that brings an honest-to-goodness surprise.  Seriously, these sorts of developments are usually so telegraphed that it's rare to be surprised anymore.  However, a rugged-looking Steve Rogers saving a mysteriously glowing woman from members of the Serpent Society and asking her for help to get home?  Let's just say I don't think I'm as cocky about knowing what Spencer has in mind as I was.

Teen Titans #8:  Maybe it's because this cross-over arc has three writers, but this issue made little sense to me.  First, we have Kid Flash deciding to spend the day with some older guy with a cool car.  I get he misses his father and likes working on cars, but going for a joyride and then burgers with a stranger (with an eyepatch) you just met is a pretty clear no-no, teenage superhero or not.  Then we've got the weirdness of Dick's deal with Deathstroke, which drives the tension of this issue.  We don't know what it is yet, but I feel like we're not going to get a satisfying answer in the end.  Deathstroke seems to have kidnapped both Wally Wests to activate some sort of battery that will not only resurrect his son but make himself more powerful.  But, what would Dick have to do with that?  Is the deal completely unrelated and just so happens to come to light when Deathstroke is being all villain-y?  Seems unlikely.  Percy actually does a solid job in scripting the tired "good guys initially fight as a result of an obvious misunderstanding" bit; the rumble on the roof of Titans Tower actually sounds the way I think it would, all chaotic and jumbled.  But, for Percy to sell this issue, you still have to believe Kid Flash not only spent the day with Deathstroke but also then helped him with his time-travel plans even after he revealed himself.  I just don't believe even a rookie would be that naive, but there you go.

The Wild Storm #4:  Not a lot happens in this issue, but it's beautiful to behold:  Davis-Hunt and Buccellato are geniuses, truly.  After the Wild C.A.T.s escape Angie's bunker via Void (before one of the surviving members of Razors 3 detonates a grenade), the action stops and everyone gets a moment to breathe.  Miles recaps the last two issues for his husband over wine and leftovers, and we then get our first prolonged exposure to Henry Bendix.  We don't learn much, other than the fact he prefers spending his time in his enormous space station orbiting Earth (as opposed to Earth itself) and he engages in a whole lot of bluster with everyone other than his assistant, Ms. Pennington.  (I don't know if it was a conscious choice, but Pennington looks a lot like Carol/Cheryl from "Archer," which makes it all the more awesome.)  We conclude the issue with Mike telling Miles his brain tumor is inoperable and Miles asking him if he wants to keep working.  Meanwhile, Angie walks along a deserted highway (after initially crashing into the ocean when she fled the bunker at the start of the issue).  Ellis does a great job keeping us guessing mostly because his characters are all in the same situation:  no one really has any clue what's happening.  That said, Henry Bendis, Miles Craven, and Jacob Marlowe aren't exactly the types of guys who handle that well, so we'll see where we go.

X-Men:  Gold #4:  Guggenheim's telling a number of stories here, and they're all pretty great.  First, we've got the mundane.  Kitty, Kurt, and Rachel easily take out some members of the Serpent Society as they rob a bank.  Kitty is anxious to get the fight concluded so she can get to her meeting with the city about hooking up the Mansion to the sewer and water system, a clever reminder of the team's struggles to get itself established.  (I'm also intrigued how they're going to pay that rent bill the city presented them earlier.)  Plus, Guggenheim is reminding us Kitty wants to improve the X-Men's visibility not just by eliminating mutant threats, but regular ones, too.  Then, we're got the mysteries.  Dr. Reyes informs Colossus the alien-looking guy from the Brotherhood is actually an alien; in fact, he's an alien whose language is even unknown to the universal translator.  Meanwhile, Logan and Storm go all "X-Men:  SVU" when they convince a NYPD detective to tell them more about the  murder of a mutant.  (This entire sequence is great, in part because Guggenheim uses the pacing and phrasing of "Law and Order."  It makes me realize I would 100% read a comic where Logan and Ororo just went around town solving crimes.)  But everyone has to put their day on hold to help Remy.  You see, he swiped some nanites for Bolivar Trask's granddaughter.  (Before you worry, he didn't know who she was when he took the job; he took it explicitly to find out the buyer's identity.)  Trask planned on connecting the nanites to an artificial intelligence for military (and, allegedly, non-mutant killing) purposes, and Remy decides to stop her.  But, he sorta accidentally breaks the containment tube and the nanites fly into Trask's computer system.  Given the amount of anti-mutant AIs on your average Trask computer, the nanites bond with such an AI and become a nano-swarm Sentinel.  Ooopsie!  Remy obviously glides over his role in creating said Sentinel when he calls for help.  (It's all part of his charm.)  Seriously, it sounds like Guggenheim would've been rushed given how much happens here, but the pace is really fun, a sort of "day in the crazy life" approach.  It's a great start for this new arc.

Also Read:  Batman #23; Generation X #1; The Mighty Thor #19; Nightwing #21; Star Wars #31; U.S.Avengers #6

Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The May 3 Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Free Comic Book Day 2017 (Secret Empire) #1:  This issue doesn't really provide a lot of material to review.  At first I thought it was a preview of the heroes' final conflict with Captain Nazi and Hydra.  However, after reading "Secret Empire" #1, it's actually showing the heroes' initial conflict with them, setting up the establishment of the totalitarian state that we see fully formed in "Secret Empire" #1.  The most interesting part is Captain Nazi picking up Thor's hammer.  Spencer is clearly toying with us here, holding out the idea Steve is still Steve, as he's said all along.  I'll address that more directly in the next section, but it's staking out some pretty strong territory.

Secret Empire #1:  OK, here we go.

Before I read the issue, I thought about the task Spencer has before him.  Given the string of incredibly disappointing cross-over events Marvel has imposed upon us lately, I have to admit said task seems Herculean.  First, he can no longer avoid spelling out why Steve believes in Hydra.  So far, Steve has simply stated Hydra can make "us" stronger, but he hasn't ever explained why he thinks we're weak.  Is it because homosexuals and women have rights?  Is it because Black Lives Matter exists?  Does he think Mexicans are stealing our jobs?  After all, Spencer has to remember the public outrage over this heel turn comes because he's saying Steve has been Hydra all along.  If he was simply under the Cosmic Cube's influence, we could easily accept this cognitive dissidence.  But, Spencer has gone to pains to say he's always been a Hydra plant.  As such, Steve supported Hydra throwing in its lot with the Nazis, even though they were supporting a genocidal regime.  How can he still be worthy of lifting Thor's hammer?  Spencer has so far waved his hands in front of the blackboard on that point, but he really can no longer ignore it.  Second, Spencer has to improve upon recent history when it comes to cross-over events.  Even the likes of Matt Fraction and Jeff Lemire have been brought low by an event that spiraled beyond their control.  (Marvel invoking the memory of "Fear Itself" with Steve picking up Thor's hammer may not have been a great idea.)  We've already endured "Civil War II" and "Inhumans vs. X-Men" in the last year.  Both those events are good examples for Spencer on how not to run a cross-over event.  (To whit, if the central conflict could easily be resolved by a phone call, it's a problem.)  But, it's been so long since we had a good event that I can't even point to an example for how he should manage one.

The good news is Spencer starts strong, mirroring the excellent first issue of "Age of Ultron" by starting in media res.  Instead of Ultron destroying the world, Steve and Hydra taking over the United States is a fait accompli.  Steve's top priority is finding the Cosmic Cube to "correct" history, but, in the meantime, he uses his dictatorial powers to impose his version of history on the people.  Spencer starts the issue by showing us schoolchildren "learning" it was Arnim Zola, not Abraham Erskine, who created the Super-Soldier Serum; it's suitably chilling.  Spencer then goes a step further; when the teacher reminds the students to dime out anyone who could be a traitor, one of the students reports that another students' older brother is acting "weird."  It turns out the older brother is an Inhuman; Hydra forces storm his house almost immediately after the report, and he's sent to a detention center for Inhumans.

At this point, Spencer pulls back the camera and we get a better sense of the larger status quo.  The mutants have seemingly avoided the Inhumans' fate by creating a nation of their own in the Pacific Northwest; it's called New Tian and seems to be run by Zorn, of all people.  Meanwhile, Carol is still stuck outside the Shield trying to hold off the Chitauri, and Las Vegas has become the site of the resistance, led by Hawkeye and Black Widow.  Spencer does a solid job of conveying emotion despite this rushed tour of the situation, as Hawkeye starts to crack under the pressure of the war of attrition he's fighting with Hydra.  Our eyes and ears here is the new Patriot we saw in "Captain America:  Sam Wilson."  He has contacted the Champions with information Rick Jones somehow gave him (Spencer doesn't elaborate how).  He claims it can save Steve, but Iron Man (or, at least, A.I. Iron Man) is skeptical.  Tony exposits for us that they've tried many times to prove Steve was a clone or under Faustus' mind control or something.  After suffering many casualties in these efforts, they eventually had to accept reality:  Steve is Steve.  Meanwhile, the Hydra Council pushes Steve to be more evil than he wants to be, and Elisa puts her finger on the problem:  they'll think he's weak if he doesn't take a harder line on traitors, but they'll know he's weak if he does.  Ultimately, he does; he has Rick Jones executed, and he orders Hydra to destroy Las Vegas.

Overall, the story...is actually pretty solid.  First, when Tony is talking about the various assaults on Steve, McNiven makes the "casualties" indistinct.  As far as I can tell, we never see, like, Iceman with a beam through his skull.  One of the problems with "Age of Ultron" was that it was pretty clear from the start this reality was going to get rewritten (as cool as it would've been for that not to happen).  Here, Marvel seems to hold out the possibility we're playing for keeps.  Rick Jones dying isn't that big of a deal; after all, we killed off Bruce Banner and (more or less) Tony Stark in "Civil War 2."  Even if we know -- as Marvel has repeatedly told us -- that Steve will be the freedom-lovin' hunk he's always been at the end of the event, it's not to say other parts of the Marvel Universe won't be a smoking crater of woe.  The longer Marvel can convince us of that, the more exciting this event will be.

Champions #8:  I love, love, love that Mark Waid gives Nova a win here by making him the only member of the team not gazing at his navel.  Everyone else was acting, well, adolescent, fretting about the Freelancers copywriting their name.  Only Nova realized the answer was simply telling people not to buy the stuff.  Bam, problem solved!  It seemed so simple, but Waid did a really great job of showing us why it was so hard for the rest of the team to get there.

Hawkeye #6:  I love everything about this issue.  The plot is almost irrelevant.  (Dahlia is an Inhuman; she emerged from her cocoon looking amazing, but she's also a dragon.  Brad promised her a new body but couldn't deliver.  He's an asshat.  Kate is going to put her in touch with the Inhumans.)  Thompson has given Kate such a very clear voice, it's a joy to spend time with her.  Also, Pizza Dog is back!  Hurrah!  The only thing I didn't understand is how Kate knew about the LMD angle.  Thompson shows us Kate's conspiracy board, where the acronym LMDs appear near her father's name.  I think we don't yet know why she made that connection; Thompson had to show it to us simply so we knew the connection existed.  It's a reminder how deep of a story Thompson is telling, because Kate knows a lot that we don't yet know.  But, we all know Brad is an asshat.  That part is clear.

Nova (2017) #6:  Ho, boy.  Loveness and Pérez reveal the truth about Richard's escape from the Cancerverse.  After years of dying at the hands of the Revengers in battle after battle, Rich eventually pours the entirety of the Nova Force into the Cosmic Cube he used to seal off the Cancerverse from our Universe.  He uses the revived Cube to open a portal to our Universe, inadvertently leaving behind the Worldmind as he escaped.  The Worldmind has now adapted, seemingly taken over all "life" in the Cancerverse.  As expected, Sam arrives to save Rich, but the Worldmind has already absorbed him.  Rich is in trouble, y'all.

Spider-Gwen #19:  With the conclusion of the pretty awesome cross-over event with "Spider-Man," Latour returns to this series' ongoing concern, namely restoring Gwen's powers.  The path he lays out here is...complicated.  If I'm following correctly, Matt Murdoch secretly recruited one of Norman Osborn's scientists, the foreshadowingly named Dr. Elsa Brock, to examine the radioactive isotope Frank Castle gave Osborn several issues ago.  (Latour reminds us Frank agreed to sweep Harry's crimes under the rug in exchange for Osborn unlocking the secrets of the isotope.  But, as Murdoch notes, Castle is now a fugitive, so Harry is still out there dangling in the wind.)  Brock informs us that Cindy Moon's research into the alien "spider parasites" that infected Jesse Drew (as seen in the "Spider-Women" event) led Curt Connors to develop his Lizard Formula.  (I'm not sure if we really have enough information about how Connors developed the Formula to make this connection on our own.  Was that also in "Spider-Women?"  I guess I should just assume it was.)  Given this connection between the radioactive isotope and the Formula, Brock thought she could use the former as a cure for the latter.  It worked, but not how she expected.  Instead of burning out the Formula's regenerative powers, the mixture created "venom."  (DUN-dun-DUN!)  It absorbs and amplifies the isotope, but unfortunately kills the host through the radiation it emits.  However, Gwen's body is immune to the radiation:  if she injects herself with the venom, she'll get back her powers, since its side effect is powers similar to the ones she had.  (That makes sense, given her powers and the venom come from the same source.)  Murdoch wants to infect Harry with the isotope, use the interaction between the formula in his bloodstream and the isotope to create the venom, and then draw out the venom in the process.  At this point, they can then inject Gwen with the venom and everyone's problems are solved:  Gwen gets back her powers, the venom has a home, Harry is cured, and Norman is happy.  Gwen asks what Murdoch gets from it, but he doesn't answer.  At any rate, feeling she has no choice but to help Harry, she agrees and heads to Madripoor, where Matt's Hand has located Harry.  In previous series, I feel like it's exactly this sort of complicated plot that made me dislike Latour, because it was rare that I understood all the steps that got us to the conclusion.  But, here, I get it, and I'm admittedly excited about it.  Latour could go a lot of different directions, building some genuine suspense.  Also, Wolverine!

Spider-Man 2009 #23:  David gets right to the point, as Miguel travels to May 15, 2019 to stop the disaster that sets the stage for the alternate future he's trying to prevent.  (That said, I still don't understand how it's connected to the actual future he's trying to resurrect, since someone clearly happened to turn New York into Nueva York.  But, I digress.)  He stumbles upon the cause:  a terminally ill Tyler Stone wants to release a virus that kills millions, though we're still not sure what his motivation is.  (I think it's just to be an asshole.)  Miguel tries to stop him, but the future Sinister Six get in his way.  However, Honey Bee -- i.e., Tempest in her insect form -- arrives and grabs the vial.  She's distracted when she sees Miguel, who she calls Spider-Man, and Tyler shoots her, regaining control over the vial.  However, seemingly the original version of Miguel -- in his original costume -- stabs him, and Tyler orders Aisa to release New York against the heroes.  It's now "our" Miguel, seemingly original Miguel, and Honey Bee against New York.  I'm not sure how the Fist got control over New Yorkers or where we go from here, but it seems like we're getting there soon.

X-Men:  Gold #3:  Guggenheim is really building momentum here.  First, Kitty is a bad-ass to the max, from coldly telling the students the rescue mission isn't a field trip (after Rockslide complains she only took him and Armor with the team) to using her powers to save Amara as the Brotherhood's HQ explodes.  But, she's at her best when she threatens Lydia Nance.  During their confrontation, Rachel gleaned from Mesmero's mind that  hired him to form the Brotherhood of "Evil" Mutants to further her own ends.  Professor X might've delivered some sort of speech about looking past their differences; Kitty threatens Nance and makes sure she knows she's being threatened.  We've got a new sheriff in town, folks.

Also Read:  Spider-Man #16

Not-Very-Deep Thoughts: The April 19 "Secret Empire" Marvel Edition (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

OK, here we go.  If you've been reading my posts as we built to this event, you know that I'm not as vehemently opposed to Captain Nazi as some other fans are.  I think it's mostly because Spencer isn't out there swearing to God that Steve will be Captain Nazi forever, as Steve Wacker and Dan Slott did when they subjected us to Spider-Ock.  Spencer is telling a story that feels limited in its ambition; after 75+ years, it was probably time for Cap to have his heel turn.  If you come to the issue that way (and I totally understand why you wouldn't), then Spencer has to be judged by whether it's actually a good story.  A lot of cross-over events have started as great ideas only for the execution to rob it of all greatness.  ("Age of Ultron" is probably the best example to me of a cross-over event with an awesome premise that rapidly devolved.)  As such, let's see how Spencer does.

Secret Empire #0:  I inadvertently read this issue first, even though it eventually became clear I should've read "Captain America:  Steve Rogers," "Thunderbolts," and "U.S.Avengers" first.  Oh, well.

As widely discussed in the media at this point, Spencer implies the "true" story is the one we've seen unfold over the course of the last few issues:  a mystically powered Elisa Sinclair identified Steve as the agent of change HYDRA needed to take over the world. In this issue, starting in 1945, Kraken has revealed himself to be alive as Steve arrives at the "source of all HYDRA's powers" in Japan.  It's the remains of Ashomia, "a lost city of the wicked and the abandoned."  Steve is introduced to a mysterious figure, and Kraken informs us he's the man who "birthed HYDRA from the spear" and made him Kraken.  Let's call him Father HYDRA.  Father HYDRA tells Steve that the Allies' Cosmic Cube will allow them to re-write history so they win the war; in other words, the history we used to think was the "true" story.  As the Cube begins to do exactly that, Father HYDRA has Steve enter a pool so his memories are preserved; we see him fade into the block of ice where the Avengers will find him in the now "fake" story.  As he escorts Steve into the pool, Father HYDRA warns Steve the Cube will eventually become Kobik and the Skull (called the "usurper" here) will use Kobik to rekindle Steve's memory of the "true" story.  This part answers one of my main questions, namely why no one else remembers the now "true" history.  Spencer has sent conflicting messages on this front, but at least he comes down firmly here on one side (some evidence in previous issues to the contrary).

In the present, we are at a moment of crisis as three separate events happen at once:  the Chitauri horde arrives; Baron Zemo is leading the villains imprisoned at Pleasant Hill on a rampage o' revenge in New York city; and the Crescent, the Helicarrier Sharon sent to Sokovia in "Captain America:  Steve Rogers" #15, has gone missing.  In terms of the Chitauri invasion, a HYDRA suicide bomber has apparently blown up the Shield.  Ironheart (a.k.a. Riri Williams) and Iron Man (who's apparently alive again) are frantically trying to fix the Shield as Alpha Flight, Quasar, and the Ultimates hold off the Chitauri.  In New York, Luke Cage leads an expanded Defenders line-up to protect civilians; meanwhile, Sharon and Steve are heading to Sokovia on the Iliad to try to find out what happened to the Crescent.  Spencer makes it immediately clear Steve has orchestrated these events so the President will put into action the S.H.I.E.L.D. Act.  With Steve now able to rule the United States by fiat, he activates his plan.  Ironheart realizes the Shield is somehow not as damaged as she thought it was; they're able to activate it, and the world watches as the Chitauri are unable to cross it.  Eventually, Ironheart and Iron Man discover the damage to the Shield's hardware was superficial; it was lowered not because of the bomb but because someone at command used the software to do so.  Meanwhile, Sharon and Steve come upon the Crescent, which rams into the Iliad.  As mind-controlled S.H.I.E.L.D. agents rush aboard.  Steve reveals himself to Sharon; Dr. Faustus' voice is broadcast throughout the Iliad, bringing more S.H.I.E.L.D. agents fully under Steve's control.  Steve then tells Carol he's locking her outside the planet (with the Chitauri horde).  Finally, Baron Zemo uses Blackout to plunge New York into the Darkforce Dimension, taking all New York's heroes off the board.  Steve then heads to Washington to complete his coup.

All in all, it's not terrible.  Again, if you go into it assuming Cap won't be evil forever, then it's easier to enjoy the story.  After all, it's clearly Spencer has carefully constructed this story; the only weakness I can identify is some ambiguity in previous issues about why people didn't remember the new "true" history.  At this stage, I think the question for me is how far we really go here.  As I mention below, "U.S.Avengers" #5 shows us where I hope we won't go, with Steve being reduced to a mentally unstable cliché of a super-villain.  This event will be scarier if Steve is just as calculating and strategic as we know he can be.  If he is, then it could even be great.

Thunderbolts #12:  Reading this issue after "Secret Empire" #0, it feels like Zub had to rush the ending so he could make sure the Masters of Evil (with Atlas) could be in place for Baron Zemo's attack on New York.  Events move more quickly than they probably should have as Zub is forced to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible.  For example, I was surprised the main drama in this issue is Kobik apparently throwing such a temper tantrum that she threatened reality.  I get she's upset about Bucky not believing in HYDRA, but it feels like she's gone a little too far here, even for a child.  It would've helped to see more of Erik trying to calm her, since it would've established why she's so upset.  But, we move almost immediately to Fixer developing a device to strip Kobik of her personality (I think); instead, it shatters her into many pieces.  Zemo recruits Moonstone (easily) and Fixer to help him track down the pieces.  He also convinces Atlas to join them, a wink to Zub's characterization of Atlas as a follow at his core.  In the aftermath, Jolt is unconscious after Kobik's explosion (inexplicably) drained off her energy, and the Ghost swipes her.  (For some reason, she's also miniaturized by the blast, allowing Ghost to drop her into his pocket.)  After the team's now-abandoned headquarters collapses on them, Melissa emerges from the rubble, but Mach-X is missing.  Melissa trudges into the snow, and the series concludes behind her.  I have a feeling Marvel will revisit the team after "Secret Empire" concludes.  They had grown on me, and they deserve a better ending than they get here.

U.S.Avengers #5:  In terms of plot, this issue is solid.  Cap visit Roberto to remind him that he works for him, making sure Roberto is willing to follow orders he initially finds questionable.  Meanwhile, a HYDRA agent within A.I.M. convinces Red Hulk to allow him to override his safety protocol after he express frustration when he de-Hulks during a fight; Steve clearly plans to use a berserk Hulk at some point.  The most important development, though, seems to be Steve learning that Roberto has trained A.I.M. agents in Xavier's techniques to block telepathic incursions, meaning Dr. Faustus' mind-control techniques won't work on them.  (I know why that's important after reading "Secret Empire" #0.)  But, it's the characterization that leaves you scratching your head.  Steve acts like a cut-rate villain here, adopting various personas during his talk with Roberto.  First he's obsessed with people getting him coffee then he's berating Roberto for being elitist.  He seems totally insane; if his goal was not tipping off Roberto that something was wrong with him, it seems unlikely it worked.

Captain America:  Steve Rogers #16:  This issue completes setting up "Secret Empire" #0 in a number of ways.  First, the Masters of Evil (unexpectedly, to me) complete the search for the last fragment of Kobik.  I had initially thought their search for the Cube was going to occur throughout "Secret Empire;" after all, its reunification would clearly set up someone using it to rewrite history.  However, Spencer cleverly finds a way to delay this moment and take a major player off the board.  Dr. Selvig is disturbed by Zemo's insistence on reassembling the Cube and not letting Kobik pull herself together.  (Zemo wisely would rather a non-sentient Cube since it's easier to control.)  As such, Selvig sends the fragments to an unidentified place before killing himself.  Steve is furious when Zemo eventually tells him, since his plan was not only to conquer the world for HYDRA but use the Cube to "right" history.  However, Zemo is now free to lead the Masters of Evil on the assault of New York in "Secret Empire" #0.  Meanwhile, Maria Hill breaks into Taskmaster's computer and discovers the video of Steve saying "Hail HYDRA."  She tells Rick Jones Steve is an agent of HYDRA just before HYDRA captures her, but Cap calls Rick just in time, after Taskmaster alerted him to Maria's actions.  He tells Rick that Maria is off the reservation; in his story, she's going to use the override codes for the Shield as leverage to get back her old job.  Rick believes him and sends Steve the codes to the Shield.  Black Ant than knocks him unconscious, and we see the HYDRA suicide bomber seemingly blow up the Shield.  (However, we know from "Secret Empire" #0 that Steve uses the codes to take down the Shield; the damage to the Shield was purposefully superficial.)  Finally, Steve laments the loss of Xavier's brain to Elisa, but she reminds him of Dr. Faustus' powers; he takes control of the Cresent here.  The other big development is Steve allowing Zemo seemingly to kill Bucky in the same way his father died.  It seems unlikely Bucky is dead, but it's yet another player off the board for a while.  At this stage, the only people who know of Cap's treachery are Carol, who's stranded outside Earth, and Maria, Rick (to a certain extent), and Sharon, all of whom are in Steve's custody.

At this stage, Spencer has set up two main storylines.  We're going to have the struggle against Steve as he tries to impose his will on the United States.  But, I also imagine we're going to have the quest for the Cube, as both sides try to "right" history.  It feels like the story I thought we were going to get in "Age of Ultron," and I'll be a happy camper if Spencer accomplishes that.