Stef's Place

Comic Book Reviews: Week of August 22nd

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:12:28 GMT

Amazing Spider-Man #543

Back in Black: Part 5 of 5
An Incident on the Fourth Floor
Story: J. Michael Straczynski
Art: Ron Garney

Click Here for Review

Annihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord #2 of 4

Story: Keith Giffen
Art: Timothy Green II

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The Immortal Iron Fist #8

The Seven Capital Cities of Heaven: Part 1
Story: Matt Fraction & Ed Brubaker
Art: David Aja & Roy Allan Martinez

Click Here for Review

The Order #2

Becky or Teenager of the Year
Story: Matt Fraction
Art: Barry Kitson

Click Here for Review

Wolverine #56

The Man in the Pit
Story: Jason Aaron
Art: Howard Chaykin

Click Here for Review

World War Hulk: Gamma Corps #2 of 4

Part 2: Origins
Story: Frank Tieri
Art: Carlos Ferreira

Click Here for Review

X-Men #202

Blinded By the Light: Part 3 of 4
Story: Mike Carey
Art: Humberto Ramos

Click Here for Review

Comic Book Reviews: Week of August 15th

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 17:24:52 GMT

Annihilation: Conquest - Quasar #2 of 4

Destiny: Part 2
Story: Christos N. Gage
Art: Mike Lilly

Click Here for Review

Captain America #29

The Death of the Dream: Part 5
Story: Ed Brubaker
Art: Steve Epting & Mike Perkins

Click Here for Review

New X-Men #41

The Quest for Magik: Conclusion
Story: Christopher Yost & Craig Kyle
Art: Skottie Young

Click Here for Review

Sub-Mariner #3 of 6

Revolution
Story: Matt Cherniss & Peter Johnson
Art: Phil Briones

Click Here for Review

Super-Villain Team-Up: MODOK’s 11 #2 of 5

Prevenge or: "The Plan"
Story: Fred Van Lente
Art: Francis Portela

Click Here for Review

Terror Inc. #1 of 5

The Dismemberment Plan
Story: David Lapham
Art: Patrick Zircher

Click Here for Review

Ultimate Spider-Man #112

Death of a Goblin: Part 1
Story: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Stuart Immonen

Click Here for Review

Wolverine: Origins #16

Our War: Part 1
Story: Daniel Way
Art: Steve Dillon

Click Here for Review

Comic Book Reviews: Week of August 8th

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:03:20 GMT

Criminal #8

Lawless: Part Three
Story: Ed Brubaker
Art: Sean Phillips

Click Here for Review

Daredevil #99

To The Devil, His Due: Part 5 of 5
Story: Ed Brubaker
Art: Stefano Gaudiano & Michael Lark

Click Here for Review

Exiles #97

Home, Again! Part 3
Where Dreams to Nightmares Grow!
Story: Chris Claremont
Art: Steve Scott

Click Here for Review

Ghost Rider #14

Revelations: Part 1
Story: Daniel Way
Art: Javier Saltares & Mark Texeira

Click Here for Review

Incredible Hulk #108

Warbound: Part IV
Story: Greg Pak
Art: Carlos Pagulayan

Click Here for Review

New Avengers #33

The Trust: Part Two
Story: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Leinil Yu

Click Here for Review

New Excalibur #22

Turn Back the Clock
Story: Chris Claremont
Art: Pat Olliffe

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Nova #5

Together
Story: Dan Abnett & Andy Lannig
Art: Sean Chen, Scott Hanna and Brian Denham

Click Here for Review

Omega Flight #5 of 5

Alpha to Omega: Part 5
Story: Michael Avon Oeming
Art: Scott Kolins

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Punisher: War Journal #10

Sunset
Story: Matt Fraction
Art: Ariel Olivetti

Click Here for Review

World War Hulk: Front Line #3 of 6

Embedded: Behind Enemy Lines
Story: Paul Jenkins
Art: Ramon Bachs, Shawn Martinbrough and Chris Moreno

Click Here for Review

X-Factor #22

The Isolationist Part 2: Natural Order
Story: Peter David
Art: Pablo Raimondi

Click Here for Review

Comic Book Reviews: Late Entries

Thu, 24 May 2007 15:24:27 GMT

The new comic books came in a day late this week because of the holiday, so here's a few late reviews from the past few weeks.

Loners #2 of 6

Reflex Actions
Story: C.B. Cebulski
Art: Karl Moline

Click Here for Review

Ultimate Power #5 of 9

Story: J. Michael Straczynski
Art: Greg Land

Click Here for Review

Comic Book Reviews: Week of May 16th

Thu, 17 May 2007 18:52:33 GMT

Cable & Deadpool #40

Fractured: Part One
Story: Fabian Nicieza
Art: Reilly Brown

Click Here for Review

Ex Machina #28

Power Down: Chapter Three
Story: Brian K. Vaughan
Art: Tony Harris

Click Here for Review

Exiles #94

Enemy of the Stars: Part 5 of 5
We'll Die Another Day
Story: Chris Claremont
Art: Paul Pelletier

Click Here for Review

Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America #3

Chapter 3: Captain America
Story: Jeph Loeb
Art: John Romita Jr.

Click Here for Review

Mighty Avengers #3

Story: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Frank Cho

Click Here for Review

Moon Knight #10

Midnight Sun: Chapter Four
His Lord's Banner
Story: Charlie Huston
Art: Mico Suayan

Click Here for Review

Ultimates 2 #13

Independence Day
Story: Mark Millar
Art: Brian Hitch

Click Here for Review

Uncanny X-Men #486

The Rise and Fall of the Shi'Ar Empire: Chapter Twelve
Endings and Beginnings
Story: Ed Brubaker
Art: Billy Tan

Click Here for Review

X-Factor #19

Story: Peter David
Art: Khoi Pham

Click Here for Review

Comic Book Reviews: Week of May 9th

Fri, 11 May 2007 17:28:49 GMT

Amazing Spider-Man #540

Back in Black: Part 2
Story: J. Michael Straczynski
Art: Ron Garney

Click Here for Review

Ghost Rider #11

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois: Conclusion
Story: Daniel Way
Art: Javier Saltares & Mark Texeira

Click Here for Review

Immortal Iron Fist #5

The Last Iron Fist Story: Part 5
Story: Ed Brubaker & Matt Fraction
Art: David Aja, Travel Foreman & Derek Fridoles

Click Here for Review

Marvel Zombies: Dead Days #1

Story: Robert Kirkman
Art: Sean Phillips

Click Here for Review

New Avengers #30

Revolution: Part 4
Story: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Leinil Yu

Click Here for Review

Punisher War Journal #7

Blood and Sand
Story: Matt Fraction
Art: Ariel Olivetti

Click Here for Review

Thunderbolts #114

Faith in Monsters: Part 5
Story: Warren Ellis
Art: Mike Deodato

Click Here for Review

Wolverine: Origins #14

Swift and Terrible: Part 4
Story: Daniel Way
Art: Steve Dillon

Click Here for Review

Comic Book Reviews: Week of May 2nd

Wed, 09 May 2007 18:09:29 GMT

Avengers: The Initiative #2

Hero Moment
Story: Dan Slott
Art: Stefano Caselli

Click Here for Review

Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears #4 of 6

Story: Garth Ennis
Art: Clayton Crain

Click Here for Review

Incredible Hulk #106

Warbound: Part 1
Story: Greg Pak
Art: Gary Frank

Click Here for Review

Marvel Zombies Vs The Army of Darkness #3 of 5

Night of the Livid Dead
Story: John Layman
Art: Fabiano Neves

Click Here for Review

X-Men #198

Alpha to Omega: Part 2
Story: Michael Avon Oeming
Art: Scott Kolins

Click Here for Review

X-Men #198

Dead-End Kids: Part 2
Story: Joss Whedon
Art: Michael Ryan

Click Here for Review

Comic Book Reviews: Week of April 18th

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:14:30 GMT

Mighty Avengers #2
Story: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Frank Cho

Click Here for Review

Moon Knight #9

Midnight Sun: Chapter 3
For The Occasion
Story: Charlie Huston
Art: Mico Suayan

Click Here for Review

X-Factor #18
Story: Peter David
Art: Khoi Pham

Click Here for Review

X-Men #198

Condition Critical: Part 2 of 3
Story: Mike Carey
Art: Chris Bachalo

Click Here for Review

Comic Book Reviews: Week of April 11th

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 03:02:48 GMT

Ghost Rider #10

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois: Part 3
Story: Daniel Way
Art: Mark Texeira & Javier Saltares

Click Here for Review

Iron Man #16
Story: Daniel & Charles Knauf
Art: Roberto de la Torre

Click Here for Review

Legion of Monsters: Man-Thing #1
Story: Charlie Huston & Ted McKeever
Art: Klaus Janson & Ted McKeever

Click Here for Review

The Loners #1 of 6

Fear of Flying
Story: C.B. Cebulski
Art: Karl Moline

Click Here for Review

New Avengers #29

Revolution: Part 3
Story: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Leinil Yu

Click Here for Review

newuniversal #5

Mystery
Story: Warren Ellis
Art: Salvador Larroca

Click Here for Review

Thunderbolts #113

Faith In Monsters: Part 4
Story: Warren Ellis
Art: Mike Deodato, Jr

Click Here for Review

Uncanny X-Men #485

The Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire: Chapter 11
The End of All That Is
Story: Ed Brubaker
Art: Billy Tan

Click Here for Review

Wolverine Origins #13

Swift and Terrible: Part 3
Story: Daniel Way
Art: Steve Dillon

Click Here for Review

Iron Man's Armor!

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 02:07:19 GMT

This looks great. It looks a lot like Iron Man's first armor from the comic book.

Comic Book Reviews: Week of April 4th

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:29:26 GMT

Grades
Excellent - You should have this in your collection.
Great - You should at least read this.
Fine - You should at least check out a friend's copy.
Poor - You might be thankfull if you miss it.
Crap - Not fit to print.

Avengers: The Initiative #1

Happy Accidents
Story: Dan Slott
Art: Stefano Caselli

Click Here for Review

Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born #3 of 7

Story: Stephen King, Robin Furth & Peter David
Art: Jae Lee & Richard Isanove

Click Here for Review

Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America #1

Chapter 1: Wolverine
Story: Jeph Loeb
Art: Leinil Yu

Click Here for Review

Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears #3 of 6
Story: Garth Ennis
Art: Clayton Crain

Click Here for Review

The Immortal Iron Fist #4

The Last Iron Fist Story: Part 4
Story: Ed Brubaker & Matt Fraction
Art: David Aja & Travel Foreman

Click Here for Review

The Incredible Hulk #105

Armageddon: Part 2 of 2
Story: Greg Pak
Art: Carlo Pagulayan

Click Here for Review

Marvel Zombies/Army of Darkness #2 of 5

Marvel Team-Ups
Story: John Layman
Art: Fabiano Neves

Click Here for Review

Ms. Marvel #14

The Deal: Part 2 of 2
Story: Brian Reed
Art: Aaron Lopresti

Click Here for Review

New Excalibur #18

To Rise Again This Day!
Story: Chris Claremont
Art: Scott Eaton

Click Here for Review

Omega Flight #1 of 5

Alpha to Omega: Part 1
Story: Michael Avon Oeming
Art: Scott Kolins

Click Here for Review

Punisher #46

Widowmaker: Part 3
Story: Garth Ennis
Art: Lan Medina

Click Here for Review

Runaways #25

Dead-End Kids
Story: Joss Whedon
Art: Michael Ryan

Click Here for Review

Comic Book Reviews: Week of March 28th

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:23:22 GMT

Black Panther #26

Two Plus Two: Chapter One
Home Invasion
Story: Reginald Hudlin
Art: Francis Portela

Click Here for Review

Fantastic Four #544

Reconstruction: Chapter One
From the Ridiculous to the Sublime*
Story: Dwayne McDuffie
Art: Paul Pelletier

Click Here for Review

Wolverine #52

Evolution: Chapter Three
Blood on the Wind
Story: Jeph Loeb
Art: Simone Bianchi

Click Here for Review

Comic Book Reviews: Week of March 21st

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:13:42 GMT

Exiles #92
Story: Chris Claremont
Art: Paul Pelletier

Click Here for Review

Ms. Marvel #13
The Deal: Part 1
Story: Brian Reed
Art: Aaron Lopresti

Click Here for Review

X-23: Target X #4 of 6
Story: Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost
Art: Michael Choi

Click Here for Review

X-Factor #17
Story: Peter David
Art: Pablo Raimondi

Click Here for Review

X-Men #197
Story: Mike Carey
Art: Chris Bachalo

Click Here for Review

Punihser Presents: Barracuda #2
Story: Warren Ellis
Art: Goran Parlov

Click Here for Review

Wisdom #4
Story: Paul Cornell
Art: Manuel Garcia

Click Here for Review

Ultimate Power #4 of 9
Story: J. Michael Straczynski
Art: Greg Land

Click Here for Review

Comic Book Reviews: Week of March 14th

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 19:48:14 GMT

More post-Civil War happenings this week, with maybe the best one so far.... more reviews coming soon.

Grades
Excellent - You should have this in your collection.
Great - You should at least read this.
Fine - You should at least check out a friend's copy.
Poor - You might be thankfull if you miss it.
Crap - Not fit to print.

Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes II #7 of 8
Story: Joe Casey
Art: William Rosado

Click Here for Review

Civil War: The Confession
Story: Brian Bendis
Art: Alex Maleev

Click Here for Review

Ghost Rider #9
Story: Daniel Way
Art: Javier Saltares & Mark Texeira

Click Here for Review

Moon Knight #8
Story: Charlie Huston
Art: David Finch

Click Here for Review

New Avengers #28
Story: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Leinil Yu

Click Here for Review

New X-Men #36
Story: Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost
Art: Paco Medina

Click Here for Review

Spider-Man: Reign #4 of 4
Story: Kaare Andrews
Art: Kaarre Andrews

Click Here for Review

StormWatch: PHD #5
Story: Christos Gage
Art: Matthew Smith

Click Here for Review

Thunderbolts #112
Story: Warren Ellis
Art: Mike Deodato

Click Here for Review

Late Review

Fantastic Four: The End #6 of 6
Story & Art: Alan Davis

Click Here for Review

R.I.P. Captain America 1941-2007

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 19:58:39 GMT

R.I.P.
Captain America
1941-2007

Comic Book Reviews: Week of March 7th

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 15:12:05 GMT

A lot of great Post-Civil War stuff came out this week, with Captain America #25 being the biggest event in recent comics. So... on to the reviews...

Grades
Excellent - You should have this in your collection.
Great - You should at least read this.
Fine - You should at least check out a friend's copy.
Poor - You might be thankfull if you miss it.
Crap - Not fit to print.

Captain America #25
Story: Ed Brubaker
Art: Steve Epting

Click Here for Review

Civil War: The Initiative #1
Story: Brian Bendis & Warren Ellis
Art: Marc Silvestri

Click Here for Review

Criminal #5
Story: Ed Brubaker
Art: Sean Phillips

Click Here for Review

Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born #2
Story: Peter David & Robin Furth
Art: Jae Lee

Click Here for Review

Fantastic Four #543
Story: Dwayne McDuffie, Stan Lee and Paul Pope
Art: Mike McKone, Nick Dragotta and Paul Pope

Click Here for Review

Fell #7
Story: Warren Ellis
Art: Ben Templesmith

Click Here for Review

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #18
Story: Peter David
Art: Todd Nauck

Click Here for Review

Ghost Rider: Trail of Tears #2 of 6
Story: Garth Ennis
Art:Clayton Crain

Click Here for Review

The Incredible Hulk #104
Story: Greg Pak
Art: Carlo Pagulayan

Click Here for Review

Marvel Zombies Vs. Army of Darkness #1 of 5
Story: John Layman
Art: Fabiano Neves

Click Here for Review

The Mighty Avengers #1
Story: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Frank Cho

Click Here for Review

newuniversal #4
Story: Warren Ellis
Art: Salvator Larroca

Click Here for Review

Comic Book Review: Week of Feb 28th

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:13:34 GMT

Got three reviews up so far, reviews for Dr. Strange and Eternals should be up later on today. So... on to the reviews...

Grades
Excellent - You should have this in your collection.
Great - You should at least read this.
Fine - You should at least check out a friend's copy.
Poor - You might be thankfull if you miss it.
Crap - Not fit to print.

Doctor Strange: The Oath #5 of 5
Story: Brian K. Vaughan
Art: Marcos Martin

Click Here for Review

Eternals #7 of 7
Story: Neil Gaiman
Art: John Romita Jr.

Click Here for Review

Iron Man #15
Story: Daniel & Charles Knauf
Art: Roberto de la Torre

Click Here for Review

Wisdom #3 of 6
Story: Paul Cornell
Art: Manuel Garcia

Click Here for Review

X-Factor #16
Story: Peter David
Art: Pablo Raimondi

Click Here for Review

Comic Book Reviews: Week of Feb 21st

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:41:35 GMT

I've been asked to post my reviews on the Comic Book Hunter's message boards. So from now on I'll probably just be posting links to those reviews and see what happens from there. So far I've got an Immortal Iron Fist review up, and Legion of Monsters: Werewolf by Night. I'll be updating this page as I get more reviews finished. So... on to the reviews...

Grades
Excellent - You should have this in your collection.
Great - You should at least read this.
Fine - You should at least check out a friend's copy.
Poor - You might be thankfull if you miss it.
Crap - Not fit to print.

Immortal Iron Fist #3
Story: Ed Brubaker & Matt Fraction
Art: David Aja

Click Here for the Review

Legion of Monsters: Werewolf by Night #1
Story: Mike Carey & Skottie Young
Art: Greg Land & Skottie Young

Click Here for the Review

Ghost Rider

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:40:34 GMT

Going to see this tonight... Click on the Picture to view the trailer.

Comic Book Reviews: Week of Feb 14th

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 04:05:46 GMT

Civil War ends next week, so there isn't anything major happening this week. Still a few issues that stand out, especially what I think was the best book of the week, which came as a complete surprise to me. So... on to the reviews...

Grades
Excellent - You should have this in your collection.
Great - You should at least read this.
Fine - You should at least check out a friend's copy.
Poor - You might be thankfull if you miss it.
Crap - Not fit to print.

Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes II #6 of 8
Story: Peter David & Robin Furth
Art: William Rosado

I enjoy these type of mini-series that show what was happening in the backround of old stories. This one continues the story of Hank Pym going a little nutty as his new identity of Yellow Jacket. I wouldn't recommend this mini to anyone except old school Avengers fans. The characterization is spot on, but the plot threads don't advance much in this issue. In fact you could almost skip this issue and go right to the next issue. Not a good sign for a mini-series.
Grade: Poor

Exiles #91
Enemy of the Stars: Part 2 of 5
Story: Chris Claremont
Art: Paul Pelletier

If Stan Lee was the creator of the X-Men... then Chris Claremont was the godfather of the X-Men. He's responsible for the foundation that most X-Men books still go by today. He's also responsible for the most famous X-Men story of all time: The Dark Phoenix Saga. The reason I point all this out is because... I almost feel guilty for not liking his writing now. It's not bad by any means, but it's very old school. Half of this issue is spent with Psylocke and Sabretooth fighting... this wouldn't be bad, except for the fact that everyone from the readers to their mothers know that the fight is going to end with Psylocke realizing that they are all on the same side. Sorry... but by no means can that be concidered a spoiler. The rest of the issue continues with the reader experiencing everything from Psylocke's point of view. It does give a few hints that their might still be some things going on with Psylocke dying and coming back to life a few years ago... but very small hints. Very little is accomplished here, and it was a disapointment. Although I do think Claremont has something big planed for the Exiles, this issue didn't show it.
Grade: Poor

Ghost Rider #8
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois: Part 1 of 5
Story: Daniel Way
Art: Javier Saltares & Mark Texeira

Now I'm getting what these Casualties of War storylines are. They are stories that are effected by what is going on in Civil War, but very rarely is it something direct. You probably won't know what I mean till the last page of the issue... but you'll see. The premise of the story is good... the art is great... the dialogue is good... the characterization of secondary characters is surprisingly good. The problem? Johnny Blaze is at the wrong place at the wrong time... and the police think he's the primary suspect for a murder. Sound familiar? It should... because that's what happened in the last 2 part storyline. The outcome however is very different this time around, but still... come on. The premise of the rest of the story however is a lot more interesting and saves the issue. I am looking forward to what is going to happen in the next issue however.
Grade: Fine

New Excalibur #16
Fallen Friend: Part 1 of 2
Story: Chris Claremont
Art: Scot Eaton

I really hate saying anything bad about Frank Teiri... but I really didn't enjoy his run on this book. Enter Chris Claremont. Now I complained about Claremont's Exiles issue... and although I don't have the same complaints in this issue... there is on ongoing monologue that just feels way too long. Claremont has a bad tendency to over explain a character's powers or origins even though there shouldn't be a reason for it since the character has been around for a while. Also, the last page of the issue just felt so wrong... you'll see what I mean. Now for the good. For the first time in quite a few issues I felt the characters where actually acting like they should be. We don't see characters arguing for reasons that make no sense, especially concidering that these are profesionals and have been doing this for years. Captain Britain finally acts the way he should be as probably the most powerfull member of the team. He might not match Juggernaut in strength, but it shows here that he has much more then just strength as powers and is a natural leader as he takes care of a critical situation in meer moments. I'm actually very happy to have Claremont writing Captain Britain again. I almost dropped this book during Tieri's run on it, and now I'm happy I did. I also hope that Scott Eaton stays on this book for a while as I really enjoyed his renditions of all the characters. This issue wasn't great, but it was a step in the right direction. Next issue could be an emotional one... as this one should have been, except for the very odd last page that just didn't seem right.
Grade: Fine

New X-Men #35
Mercury Falling: Part 3 of 4
Story: Christopher Yost & Craig Kyle
Art: Paco Medina

Last issue ended with the death of yet another mutant. Anyone keeping track of just how many of the 198 are actually left? Just with the deaths in this series it's starting to get low. Hellion and X-23 spend this issue causing all sorts of trouble while they try to track down and save Mercury. Meanwhile back at the mansion, the X-Men and the kids try to piece together where their 3 missing students are. We see a lot more of the other students that aren't part of the core team in this issue. It's mostly a set up to the finally of this arc... but an entertaining issue none the less.
Grade: Great

Punisher Presents: Barracuda #1 of 5
Story: Garth Ennis
Art: Goran Parlov

So it looks like Barracuda didn't die in the pages of The Punisher. Wait untill Frank finds out!! Anyways... this story seems to be tipical Garth Ennis. An ultra violent story with dark humour. I would have enjoyed it a lot more if this book hadn't been littered with completly dumb characters. You know the ones... the ones that think they can take out the main character, while it's clear that they are nothing more then complete imbeciles that would probably end up killing themselves by accident if Barracuda didn't do it first. If you read this issue... when you come to the character of Big Chris... picture Christopher Walken saying his dialogue... you'll see... very enjoyable. I also thought that the exchange between Barracuda and the sheriff was hilarious. A problem arrises when a character is introduced... and looks very familiar to another character that Ennis has used before, and it would seem for the same reasons. I do think that the good outweighed the bad in this one.
Grade: Fine

Sensational Spider-Man #35
The Strange Case of... Part 1 of 3
Story: Robert Aguirre-Sacasa
Art: Angel Medina

Yet another issue with Spider-Man in his black costume... and no explanation for it. I did enjoy the pacing of the story as it seemed it didn't let up at all, and kept me turning the page to see what happens next. There is a hint or two that SOMETHING happened at the end of Civil War, but no hints at all as to just what. It was interesting to see Peter quickly put together what needed to be done, but the reveal of the villain of the story on the last page left me with a feeling of... meh. Needless to say it didn't leave me with the urge to pick up the next issue.
Grade: Poor

Ultimate X-Men #79
Aftermath: Part 1 of 2
Story: Robert Kirkman
Art: Yanick Paquette

This issue takes a break from all the action we saw in the Cable Storyarc, as the team deals with the death of Charles Xavier. There are quite a few things that actually happen during this issue... but it kinda feels all smashed together around the funeral of Prof X. A few plot threads are introduced... or reintroduced as in the case of Sabretooth. Although it does show promise for what's ahead in Ultimate X-Men, it wasn't as good as the issue could have been.
Grade: Fine

Wolverine: Origins #11
Swift and Terrible: Part 1 of 5
Story: Daniel Way
Art: Steve Dillon

Why does this title exist? I don't see why everything going on in this title, couldn't be happening in the main Wolverine series. This issue finally reveals more on Logan's son. Problem is he isn't all that interesting. We find out what he's been up to lately... and that's about it. The last few pages of the issue shows that an old foe of Wolverine is making his return... how it's happening doesn't make a lick of sense however, and I'm not looking forward to the explanation all that much.
Grade: Poor

Runner Up for Pick of the Week

Astonishing X-Men #20
Unstoppable: Part 2 of 6
Story: Joss Whedon
Art: John Cassaday

The X-Men and Agent Brand finally make it to the Breakworld. Not a whole lot happens in this issue. The X-Men get from S.W.O.R.D.'s spaceship to the Breakworld and start searching for the reason the people of Breakworld think Colossus is going to destroy their world. Although not much happens in this issue, the charactarization is great, the dialogue entertaining and the artwork is superd as usual. Whedon proved in past issues that he could write certain characters as they should be, and in this issue he proves it again with Wolverine. The character of Hisako Ichiki is also turning out to be very interesting and entertaining. If Astonishing X-Men does finish at issue #24 with Whedon leaving, I hope that Yost and Kyle bring the character of Hisako over to the New X-Men title. Some interesting plot threads are dropped here and there, but aren't made to obvious that you're not sure if it's going to end up being important or not... which is nice and keeps the reader guessing.
Grade: Great

Pick of the Week

Thunderbolts #111
Faith in Monsters: Part 2 of 6
Story: Warren Ellis
Art: Mike Deodato

Ok... last issue finished with The Thunderbolts going after Jack Flag... doesn't sound all that exciting does it? I wasn't expecting much in this issue... and boy was I wrong. This is how a superhero fight should be done. Not only is the fight great, but the story playing off how the media sees everything, and how it's told to them is also very interesting. I loved how the team worked together (or didn't), and just how dangerous some of the members could be if not held in check. I haven't really enjoyed the character of Norman Osborn that much since he came back from the dead... but from what I see here, it looks like very interesting things are yet to come. I must also say that Deodato's artwork is perfect for this book, especially for some of the scenes during the battle.
Grade: Excellent

Photo Album: Madison

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:58:29 GMT

Madison

Madison 4 years old

Madison and Dryfus