Jiminy Crickets!
David decides to go for fun over plot here, and I can't say that it's a bad call. OK, to be fair, it's not like David totally abandons the story that he wast telling. We learn that it was Roberta's husband that injected her with the Super-Soldier Serum and that Black Widow really does eat her prey. Also, Miguel throws Tyler from the top floor of Alchemax after Tyler revealed that he sent the Specialist after Roberta because he though that she wasn't meeting expectations. (Apparently this Miguel does have a conscience somewhere in there.) That said, though, we don't learn why Roberta's husband decided to inject her with the Serum and why it had to be kept a secret from her. We also don't learn what big secret Tyler was going to tell Miguel (if any), as he swore that he was going to do right before Miguel threw him out the window. In other words, we get some answers, but they really only lead to more questions.
Instead, Peter decides to take a sharp turn to the loony. Apparently, the Defenders' escape from the Alchemax building last issue cut the power to the cell where Miguel was keeping Hargood. (Remember him? He had something to do with the hit on Roberta, because the Specialist had his card on him, but I don't think that we really got any more clarity on that connection.) Anyway, it turns out Hargood is a descendant of Baron Mordo, so he uses the virtual-unreality portal at Alchemax (that he conveniently knew existed) to bring through the Dweller in the Darkness. (Why? Who knows? Roberta winds up knocking him unconscious before he can go Bond villain and explain it to us.) Miguel calls Roberta, turns her into Cap remotely, and tells her that everyone gets forgiven if they come defeat the Dweller. The Defenders leap into action, and Roman eventually arrives with an even bigger creature to take on the Dweller. Meanwhile, Hercules and Roberta deliver the aforementioned knocks, and Strange closes the portal. 'Nuff said.
Was it a totally weird ending? Yes. Would part of me preferred that we wrapped up a number of the open plot points that David left unclear? Yes. Am I excited by the end of the issue saying "The end...for now!" Yes. At the end of the day, even if the Dweller pushed other plots to the background, I can't deny that it was a fun issue. This series had little to nothing to do with "Secret Wars," but, again, I'm not complaining. Sometimes being a comic-book fan means that you just enjoy watching some superheroes prevent a giant squid from devouring the world.
*** (three of five stars)
Showing posts with label Secret Wars 2099 (2015). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Secret Wars 2099 (2015). Show all posts
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Friday, October 2, 2015
Secret Wars 2099 #4 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
I honestly don't have too much to say about this issue, because David pretty efficiently moves us from Point A to Point B.
Captain America rebels against Miguel's attempt to imprison the Defenders and recruits Hercules in her effort to help them escape. (Unfortunately, David doesn't make it clear exactly why Roberta knew that Hercules would side with her or, conversely, why she felt like the Black Widow and Hercules wouldn't. Did she just figure that Herc would like a good fight?) Miguel's attempts to get her to revert to her Roberta persona fail, so he calls in her "husband" Henry to initiate a special override sequence. At that moment, Strange appears to pull Cap through a portal to her sanctum, only to discover a panicked Roberta wondering where she is and why she's dressed like Captain America. Meanwhile, Herc manages to escape with Hulk, Namor, and the Surfer. Shenanigans will definitely ensue.
If we were dealing with the usual Marvel Universe, I'd put money on the outcome of this series being Roberta finally unifying her personalities and joining the Defenders to fight Alchemax (much as Miguel originally did). But, part of the excitement of "Secret Wars" is the sense that all bets are off. It could be just as likely that Alchemax manages to re-assert control over her. Maybe they just kill her and get a new stooge. I guess we'll see!
*** (three of five stars)
Captain America rebels against Miguel's attempt to imprison the Defenders and recruits Hercules in her effort to help them escape. (Unfortunately, David doesn't make it clear exactly why Roberta knew that Hercules would side with her or, conversely, why she felt like the Black Widow and Hercules wouldn't. Did she just figure that Herc would like a good fight?) Miguel's attempts to get her to revert to her Roberta persona fail, so he calls in her "husband" Henry to initiate a special override sequence. At that moment, Strange appears to pull Cap through a portal to her sanctum, only to discover a panicked Roberta wondering where she is and why she's dressed like Captain America. Meanwhile, Herc manages to escape with Hulk, Namor, and the Surfer. Shenanigans will definitely ensue.
If we were dealing with the usual Marvel Universe, I'd put money on the outcome of this series being Roberta finally unifying her personalities and joining the Defenders to fight Alchemax (much as Miguel originally did). But, part of the excitement of "Secret Wars" is the sense that all bets are off. It could be just as likely that Alchemax manages to re-assert control over her. Maybe they just kill her and get a new stooge. I guess we'll see!
*** (three of five stars)
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Secret Wars 2099 #3 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Uncharacteristically, David gets somewhat predictable here. Cap gives her word to Strange that the Defenders won't be detained if they come to Alchemax to learn more about Hargood, and Miguel, natch, attempts to detain them once Strange refuses his "offer" to work for Alchemax. We learn (possibly in an example of pet peeve #1) that all superheroes are legally obligated to work for Alchemax, explaining why Miguel does what he does here. But, we still don't know why it's the case. I think that it's supposed to be a reminder that corporations control the 2099 world, but David doesn't make that entirely clear. Also, I'm not sure if we're supposed to believe that Cap thought that she was telling the truth to Strange when she said that they wouldn't be detained.
Although entertaining at points, this conflict between the Avengers and Defenders obscures the fact that the plot of this mini-series hasn't really been made clear to us (if it has one). Before the inevitable confrontation that concludes the issues, Hargood revealed under torture that he didn't know who hired him to try to assassinate Cap, since he received his orders through middlemen. But, he threatened that they'd all be sorry when the "Dweller" comes. Strange informs Miguel that several people call themselves the "Dweller," so it doesn't really help us (or the characters). (David also continues to keep the story isolated from the larger "Secret Wars" storyline, so we don't really have any hints from there.)
In terms of the other open questions, we get some answers. Miguel was the one to incapacitate the Hulk with his venomous fangs, confirming (beyond the red eyes) that he's still Spider-Man in this reality and that at least the Avengers know that. Also, although it initially appears that this 2099 is an entirely different reality from the one that we've seen in either volume of "Spider-Man 2099," David uses the same Sub-Mariner that we first met in issue #43 of the first volume of the series. As such, it seems possible that this future comes extends the timeline of the first volume, where Miguel was CEO.
In sum, this issue has its moments, but I do wish that I had a better sense of where we're going.
** (two of five stars)
Although entertaining at points, this conflict between the Avengers and Defenders obscures the fact that the plot of this mini-series hasn't really been made clear to us (if it has one). Before the inevitable confrontation that concludes the issues, Hargood revealed under torture that he didn't know who hired him to try to assassinate Cap, since he received his orders through middlemen. But, he threatened that they'd all be sorry when the "Dweller" comes. Strange informs Miguel that several people call themselves the "Dweller," so it doesn't really help us (or the characters). (David also continues to keep the story isolated from the larger "Secret Wars" storyline, so we don't really have any hints from there.)
In terms of the other open questions, we get some answers. Miguel was the one to incapacitate the Hulk with his venomous fangs, confirming (beyond the red eyes) that he's still Spider-Man in this reality and that at least the Avengers know that. Also, although it initially appears that this 2099 is an entirely different reality from the one that we've seen in either volume of "Spider-Man 2099," David uses the same Sub-Mariner that we first met in issue #43 of the first volume of the series. As such, it seems possible that this future comes extends the timeline of the first volume, where Miguel was CEO.
In sum, this issue has its moments, but I do wish that I had a better sense of where we're going.
** (two of five stars)
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Secret Wars 2099 #2 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
Another awesome tie-in issue! Let's get right to the heart of it, shall we?
In this issue, we get confirmation that Roberta has no idea that she's Captain America, though we still don't get any information on why that ruse is necessary. To make matters worse, her husband and Hercules both know that she's Captain America; her husband is revealed also to be an Alchemax agent, though it's unclear if he has a costumed identity. (Iron Man?) In fact, it appears that many people know her identity, because someone at Alchemax may have leaked her identity to Stark-Fujikawa since it sent the Specialist to kill her. Roberta instantly transforms to Cap to stop him, but he commits suicide so that she can't discover his employer. Conveniently, he has on his person the business card of some dude named Martin Hargood, an "all-around criminal type" from Downtown. The Avengers go Downtown to get some information from him, but John Eisenhart, a.k.a. Hulk 2099, has beat them to the punch. The usual "superheroes fighting each other upon meeting for the first time" battle ensues. However, Strange 2099 appears with the Silver Surfer to stop the fight, announcing that they're the Defenders.
Honestly, these revelations come fast and furious and each one is better than the next. The Specialist! Hulk 2099! The Defenders! David is pulling out all the stops.
In addition to confirming Roberta's ignorance of her identity, we also get confirmation that Miguel is Spider-Man, since his eyes are red. (It's possible that we saw that last issue and I missed it.) But, we still have a number of questions on the table. As I said, we don't know why Roberta needs to be in the dark about her dual identity or if her husband himself also has one. We don't know why someone would want to kill her, beyond the possibility of wanting to deny Alchemax her services. Hulk 2099 was going after Hargood for his "after-hours activities," but it's unclear what they are and if they have anything to do with the hit on Roberta. (Also, if it turns out that the business card wasn't a plant, expect me to do some major eye-rolling next issue. Are we really supposed to believe that a guy willing to commit suicide to hide the name of his employer just happened to carry around his business card?) Miguel slumps his shoulders when the Black Widow asks if he has any plans that evening, implying some sort of personal pain that I presume we'll eventually clarify. Finally, I'd love to hear the Defenders' origin story.
In other words, as usual, David has managed to create a fully realized world in just two issues. I don't know how he does it, but there you go.
*** (three of five stars)
In this issue, we get confirmation that Roberta has no idea that she's Captain America, though we still don't get any information on why that ruse is necessary. To make matters worse, her husband and Hercules both know that she's Captain America; her husband is revealed also to be an Alchemax agent, though it's unclear if he has a costumed identity. (Iron Man?) In fact, it appears that many people know her identity, because someone at Alchemax may have leaked her identity to Stark-Fujikawa since it sent the Specialist to kill her. Roberta instantly transforms to Cap to stop him, but he commits suicide so that she can't discover his employer. Conveniently, he has on his person the business card of some dude named Martin Hargood, an "all-around criminal type" from Downtown. The Avengers go Downtown to get some information from him, but John Eisenhart, a.k.a. Hulk 2099, has beat them to the punch. The usual "superheroes fighting each other upon meeting for the first time" battle ensues. However, Strange 2099 appears with the Silver Surfer to stop the fight, announcing that they're the Defenders.
Honestly, these revelations come fast and furious and each one is better than the next. The Specialist! Hulk 2099! The Defenders! David is pulling out all the stops.
In addition to confirming Roberta's ignorance of her identity, we also get confirmation that Miguel is Spider-Man, since his eyes are red. (It's possible that we saw that last issue and I missed it.) But, we still have a number of questions on the table. As I said, we don't know why Roberta needs to be in the dark about her dual identity or if her husband himself also has one. We don't know why someone would want to kill her, beyond the possibility of wanting to deny Alchemax her services. Hulk 2099 was going after Hargood for his "after-hours activities," but it's unclear what they are and if they have anything to do with the hit on Roberta. (Also, if it turns out that the business card wasn't a plant, expect me to do some major eye-rolling next issue. Are we really supposed to believe that a guy willing to commit suicide to hide the name of his employer just happened to carry around his business card?) Miguel slumps his shoulders when the Black Widow asks if he has any plans that evening, implying some sort of personal pain that I presume we'll eventually clarify. Finally, I'd love to hear the Defenders' origin story.
In other words, as usual, David has managed to create a fully realized world in just two issues. I don't know how he does it, but there you go.
*** (three of five stars)
Monday, July 6, 2015
Secret Wars 2099 #1 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)
I mentioned in my review of "Inferno" #1 that Dennis Hopeless really used the premise of "Secret Wars" to the best of its potential. Peter David not surprisingly seems to be doing the same here.
One of the challenges that I've had with the new "Spider-Man 2099" is that it obviously discards some of the existing continuity, but it's hard to tell what parts exactly. I've tried placing the current story in a certain period of time in the original run, but it's been difficult to do that, for a variety of reasons. However, David is essentially freed from caring about continuity in this mini-series, since we've already established that some of the domains in Battleworld come from alternate histories.
As a result, David uses that freedom to explore a history that we actually saw get its start, but that he's disregarded in the current run of "Spider-Man 2099," namely Miguel serving as CEO of Alchemax. Presently, it appears that Tyler Stone has always been CEO; however, in the previous run, Miguel eventually took on that role. David explores that reality here by postulating that Miguel uses his position to create a new Avengers team. (It's unclear if he's still Spider-Man at this point.) Rather than a fake resurrected Steve Rogers (as we saw in the original run), Captain America is now an administrative assistant at Alchemax, though it appears that she's unaware of her alter ego. (In a twist, Miguel seems aware of it, and it raises all sorts of ethical flags if Roberta, the assistant, is truly unaware that she's Captain America.) David also throws in the Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hercules, Iron Man, and Vision to the mix, though we learn little about them here.
(Actually, we do get a fairly odd sequence with Hercules, where we learn that he's been drinking to excess because it's the anniversary of him killing Megara. This behavior becomes a problem when he sexually harasses a woman because he can't believe that she's refusing his advances. But, honestly, this entire sequence of Hercules being drunk fees odd. It seems to be there to show Miguel shrugging off his oafish behavior. Combined with the Roberta situation, David might just be using it to confirm that Miguel is an evil asshole in this world.)
In other words, it's an interesting story in and of itself. Like other tie-in issues, it doesn't resolve some of the questions that I still have about "Secret Wars," but I increasingly care less and less about those answers, since these stories are good on their own. I just hope Marvel can keep this string of hits going.
*** (three of five stars)
One of the challenges that I've had with the new "Spider-Man 2099" is that it obviously discards some of the existing continuity, but it's hard to tell what parts exactly. I've tried placing the current story in a certain period of time in the original run, but it's been difficult to do that, for a variety of reasons. However, David is essentially freed from caring about continuity in this mini-series, since we've already established that some of the domains in Battleworld come from alternate histories.
As a result, David uses that freedom to explore a history that we actually saw get its start, but that he's disregarded in the current run of "Spider-Man 2099," namely Miguel serving as CEO of Alchemax. Presently, it appears that Tyler Stone has always been CEO; however, in the previous run, Miguel eventually took on that role. David explores that reality here by postulating that Miguel uses his position to create a new Avengers team. (It's unclear if he's still Spider-Man at this point.) Rather than a fake resurrected Steve Rogers (as we saw in the original run), Captain America is now an administrative assistant at Alchemax, though it appears that she's unaware of her alter ego. (In a twist, Miguel seems aware of it, and it raises all sorts of ethical flags if Roberta, the assistant, is truly unaware that she's Captain America.) David also throws in the Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hercules, Iron Man, and Vision to the mix, though we learn little about them here.
(Actually, we do get a fairly odd sequence with Hercules, where we learn that he's been drinking to excess because it's the anniversary of him killing Megara. This behavior becomes a problem when he sexually harasses a woman because he can't believe that she's refusing his advances. But, honestly, this entire sequence of Hercules being drunk fees odd. It seems to be there to show Miguel shrugging off his oafish behavior. Combined with the Roberta situation, David might just be using it to confirm that Miguel is an evil asshole in this world.)
In other words, it's an interesting story in and of itself. Like other tie-in issues, it doesn't resolve some of the questions that I still have about "Secret Wars," but I increasingly care less and less about those answers, since these stories are good on their own. I just hope Marvel can keep this string of hits going.
*** (three of five stars)
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