Thursday 24 December 2009

The Mast Reviews: Thursday's Comics (24/12/2009).

Smash!

T'was the night before Christmas etc...

I thought I was going to have no comics to buy this week, so imagine my surprise when there were actually six...as there usually is.

Avengers: The Initiative #31 came out today and I would have bought it simply because it's a tie in to Siege: The Cabal. I just don't think it's worth it, though. That's not a major event, it's the set up, all of which was covered in the issue itself.

Six comics came out that I intended to buy, yet I only got five. This is because I either forgot to buy Dark Avengers: Ares #3 of 3, or it's not out yet. Regardless, I'll pick it up next week and just review it on its own sometime.

The comics I DID buy are very...very good, so let's crack the review's fat head open and feast on the juice inside.


Uncanny X-Men #519.

The last one ended with Cyclops going inside Emma Frost...'s mind and trying to free her from The Void. In turn, The Void possessed Cyclops. Meanwhile, Utopia's scientists were trying to figure out a way to keep the sinking island afloat and Beast was getting overly emotional.

This issue is more of that.

Emma goes inside Cyclops' mind and tries to free him from The Void but he shuts her out. She begs Professor X and Psylocke not to kill him as a safety measure, to give him a chance at fighting it. He does, and he wins...somehow. I don't get it. He basically says to The Void that due to dating Jean Grey for years, he's built up some psychic immunity. He forces The Void to remain locked in his mind and then wakes up and says: "So what'd I miss?".

I swear to fucking God, I hate that kind of dialogue. It RARELY works and just leave Cyke looking like a douchebag.

Sentry can't handle The Void, you're telling me that Cyclops just snaps his mind-fingers and locks it away forever? No, can't accept that b.s. Mr. Fraction.

Other plot points involve the continual sinking of Utopia. Magneto meets with Namor and says that they can offer each other something; if Namor builds a pillar to support Utopia, he will have a place to house his scattered race and Utopia will have support. Namor agrees to negotiate and that's all that's said.

Beast comes to Cyclops after Cyclops wakes, says he's leaving and the issue ends. I really don't know what the Hell is going on with this series, I truly do not.

Everything was awesome when they had the crossover with Dark Avengers - the only reason I even started buying this title - and there seemed to be direction. Now there's nothingness. I'll buy Uncanny X-Men #520 and then I'm dropping the series. There's probably another series I could regularly buy in its place.


Guardians of the Galaxy #32.

This series is really starting to pick up a John Carpenter's The Thing-esque vibe, and I love it. I love the way Realm of Kings is heading. I can't say I enjoy the characters much except for Star-Lord, but Abnett really does make anything readable.

After one of The Luminals - a rival team that shares a base with the Guardians - brings something terrible back from a research trip into The Fault, it begins attacking and killing people. It eventually, and grossly, infests Moondragon at her insistance (She's a telekinetic, she feels she's the only one who can contain it properly). Both her team and opposing forces want to keep her in their possession for various reasons: the Guardians want to eject the parasite back into The Fault where as The Universal Church of Truth want to worship it and have her give re-birth to the organism. They consider it holy.

Moondragon seems to be the only person - outside of Quasar in the Realm of Kings one-shot - who has forseen what lies at the end of The Fault. She says that while many fragments of many universes and realities are falling into it, there IS a universe at the very end (This being the horrifying and monstrous universe Quasar encountered).

The issue ends with Moondragon being kidnapped and the U.C.T.'s leader saying that all is right with the universe, and that the Holy One will soon be born.

I'm still a little unsure as to where Realm of Kings is going and the more I think about it, the more I feel like this would have benefitted from a War of Kings-esque central series. It's all very well and good having spin-offs and tie-ins, but it really does make things feel confusing if there's no central series. Simply because I'm having trouble seeing what each series has to do with anything. I'm not seeing how Nova is fitting into this and how the Imperial Guard/Inhumans are fitting into this. Though, obviously it will revolve around the nasty beings from The Fault threatening both the Kree and Shi'ar empires.

I have faith that it'll all come together, I just feel that it would have been easier to make a sum of the parts if there was a convergance point by way of a regular, central series.

As a result, I cannot recommend this series unless you're willing to regularly buy all the involving tie-ins. Wait to see what they do with a trade paperback release and just pick that up.

I'm very curious to see how this series turns out.


Captain America: Who Will Wield the Shield? #1.

Captain America: Reborn is, as I've said, a criminally late series. Due to the lateness of this series, the story has been spoiled. The story was meant to be resolved by the 5th issue, which was due ages ago, but has only just come out. The extension of the series to a 6th issue means that all the other comics are now ahead of it. We've seen Steve Rogers return in other comics that I've reviewed, so there's no suspense, but that doesn't stop it being an amazing series.

That's why it's particularly odd when you read the cover of this one-shot and it says: "The stunning aftermath of Captain America: Reborn.". It was meant to be the aftermath; a comic to resolve who would be Captain America when Steve returned. Would it be Steve or Bucky? This comic doesn't entirely resolve the issue, but it does surprise me!

The story begins with some flashbacks narrated by Steve Rogers. Flashbacks to the war, with Bucky as his sidekick. He explains to Bucky what it means for him to be Captain America and the role he has to fill.

As the comic exits the flashbacks, the story shifts back and forth between two similar scenes. We see Steve Rogers as he speaks with Sharon Carter about his horrid experiences of being trapped in time, having to re-live his life's war-time memories over and over. Then we see Bucky talking with Black Widow about making a new costume now that Steve is back, all while Luke Cage (Who I guess has recovered since his life-threatening turmoil in The New Avengers, THANKS FOR SPOILING IT MARVEL. SINCE I READ THIS FIRST) sits there flexing with weights. Oddly hilarious.

Steve muses about how he has trouble sleeping because he's just afraid he'll slip away again, then he and Sharon do the nasty off-panel. It's moments like these that really show off how amazing a writer Ed Brubaker is. The art (Butch Guise) and dialogue work hand in hand to paint a rather stark picture of how shaken up this supposedly timeless hero really is.

In a darkened apartment, being comforted by a female, you see the legendary hero speak with a hesitance more so than fear. The fear is definitely there, though. It's quite a sight to see how much this has shaken him up, especially given all he's been through in life, and through time. He mentions to Sharon that he doesn't really think he can take up the shield anymore, especially after seeing Bucky take up the mantle and what he feels it means to him. Truth be told, it must have been quite a mind-trip for Steve; seeing this kid you protected in World War 2 all grown up and performing the iconic role that YOU were born for, the role the was made for you.

Black Widow is trying to convince Bucky that regardless of who was born for it, who was made for it, he did an amazing job (He did, he's the reason I'm even into Captain America right now. He is the reason, mostly due to Ed Brubaker, that I enjoy the character of Cap more than just the idea of Cap). She even goes so far as to say that they should BOTH be Captain America. However, Bucky has just got too much respect for Steve to accept this, even going so far as to say that he never wanted to take up the mantle and that he only did it so nobody else could; emphasising the fact that he really isn't the kind of guy that could handle the burden Steve does.

Regardless, Black Widow hands him the shield and says that there was a break-out at The Raft (One of a few superhuman prisons), offering him one last hurrah in the uniform, which he accepts. As they travel off, scenes of them tackling Mr. Hyde are intercut with scenes of Steve donning HIS uniform and heading out into the night.

During the fight between Bucky and Mr. Hyde, the latter attempts to escape up the side of a building. Bucky, seeing Steve appear on the rooftop, shouts: "Cap! Catch!". He throws the shield and Steve grabs it in midair, plummeting down and crashing into Mr. Hyde, knocking him out.

Bucky rushes over and tells him that he is still as good today as he ever was. To his surprise, Steve tells Bucky to take the shield and become Captain America! They take a walk and Bucky continues to protest, though I really don't know if he's protesting in the same way you protest if someone gives you money, or if he really doesn't want to do it anymore.

Eventually, Steve asks him to do it as a favour to him, and ambiguously hands Bucky the shield.

The end of the comic cuts to Steve attending a one-on-one meeting with President Obama, and this culminates in Steve saying that he really doesn't wish to be Captain America anymore, but would do so at the request of the President and ONLY the President. In reply, President Obama says that it's not necessary, as he has a feeling that America will soon need Steve for something much bigger.

Let me just emphasis how much I smiled while reading this; A LOT. SO MUCH. There is such a degree of heroism in this comic that it's almost old fashioned, in the best possible way. I love the brilliant contrast of old vs new, despite it being a familiar premise, it is handled very well. The best way I can describe it is by referring to a conversation I had recently.

I remember discussing Avatar with someone I share a forum with, and upon saying that I think the amazing visuals do not make up for cliched and ham-fisted plot, he said that it's about more than just getting from point A to point B. As cliched as a premise is, the journey from cliched point to cliched point can still be an amazing one.

Whilst I disagree that Avatar did this, I have to say that this comic does. Old Vs New and Master Vs Student etc, these are not new premises. It is done SO well here, that it doesn't even matter. In my opinion, anyway.

There's a scene where Steve arrives on the rooftop and sees Bucky fighting below, and it's just unfathomably poignent and almost touchingly respectful. The way Steve simultaneously expresses regret-tinged shock at seeing someone else in the uniform, throwing his shield; and yet seemingly possesses a sense of unerring respect and pride for Bucky is quite wonderful to see.

It really made me like Steve Rogers more, simply because in this comic he seems to accept the idea that times have changes and he's not necessarily someone who can successfully represent the uniform anymore. It's very humble of him. Not to mention the fact that EVERYBODY knows how bad I want Bucky to remain as Captain America, so this comic satisfied me in many, many ways.

Likewise, when Bucky is denying that he should be Captain America, the reasons he cites are so respectful that he is almost angry at Black Widow for daring to suggest such a thing. To hear (For lack of a more applicable term) Bucky say that nobody can match Steve because he was the first and that he was literally engineered to do this...it's a pretty good case for Steve to retain the shield (Though I'd still want Bucky as Cap).

Since all signs point to Bucky, I'm a happy camper!

Even though this was meant to come AFTER Reborn, I can safely say this is a fitting end to an amazing mini-series. My best guess would be that Marvel will attach this to parts one to six of Reborn when they release it as a trade paperback. If you wanna pick it up, do so! I cannot recommend it enough. Just go into it knowing that you will almost definitely need ALL the previously connected Captain America trade paperbacks to get the full story arc. So it might cost a little more than you would expect, but it's so worth it.

I've read them all, and will get around to owning them. You should too, they're AMAZING stories.

This isn't part of the review, but it's connected to the latter review. Maybe I'll get some discussion going in the comments box as to where people stand on this.

There are MASSIVE issues with the continuity of Captain America as things stand. GIGANTIC issues.

We have seen Steve return as Captain America, in full uniform, at the end of The N.A. Annual #1. We've also seen Steve return OUT of uniform, with Bucky IN uniform, at the end of Dark Avengers Annual #1.

Now, somebody needs to establish when these took place and what the continuity of Captain America is at the moment, I have to say. I don't wanna be lead to believe that my boy Bucky is taking the shield, only to be flip-flopped and have him drop it to Steve again.

FURTHERMORE, it has been explicitly stated that Steve Rogers is involved in Siege as Captain America at some point. It's a very murky pond at the moment and I'm hoping that it gets resolved over the coming year. I tell you, I will be disappointed if they've gone so far as to tease without subtlety that Bucky will be the new Captain America, only to reverse it.

I'm not sure if the rumours are true, but there's talk of the most famous roster of The Avengers returning during Siege for an indefinite amount of time. This would mean a core trio of Captain America, Thor and Iron Man. Now, I fucking love The Avengers; best superhero team of all time, even just the core three. Personally? I cannot see it happening. It's a dream of mine, but I doubt it'll happen (If you're reading this and you've read spoilers, shut up).

It won't happen if they keep Bucky as Cap, because I'm pretty sure it'd have to be Steve (Although Bucky being a TRUE Avenger with Thor and Iron Man would make my heart burst with joy). If it DOES happen, that isn't good news for Bucky as Cap, so I'm not sure what to wish for here. I just hope that they don't screw Bucky over, you know? I'm inclined to root for Bucky, because a return for The Avengers isn't something I expect, where as I've seen Bucky as having a shot in Hell for a while now.

Oh well, we can only see, I suppose. Amazing comic, really.


The New Avengers #60.

With Luke Cage having recovered from surgery, The New Avengers are understandably happy. However, as we saw last issue, all is not as it seems.

Osborn attached a device to the heart of Luke Cage and nobody - not even Luke Cage himself - knew of its existence. Upon further examination by Dr. Strange and Dr. Voodoo, the device was discovered. Daredevil uses his senses to detect that it's transmitting a faint signal, but is unable to discern what kind. To grim faces, it is decided that surgery is the option yet again. Jessica Jones-Cage is especially insistent on this, but Dr. Strange doesn't want to risk touching an Osborn device for fear of greater tragedy.

They contact Henry Pym of The M.A. and he shrinks himself, as well as Dr. Strange, both of which then embark upon a voyage into Luke Cage's body, Innerspace style. Spider-Man then says: "You now have two men inside you.". I found that quite funny, it gave me a chuckle.

Osborn begins tracking the device while attempting to follow the rest of The N.A. (They laid waste to his recruitment camp - Camp H.A.M.M.E.R. - last issue) and on his way, followed by the Dark Avengers, he is contacted by The Hood (Recently rid of his powers due to Dormammu no longer using him as an avatar, but recently empowered by Asgardian Nord stones thanks to Loki). The Hood, angered at the fact that Osborn made a deal with Jonas Harrow, signs off after leaving Osborn in a sweat.

Dr. Strange and Pym discover that Osborn attached none other than a bomb to Luke Cage's heart. In a really, REALLY exciting race against time, they begin to remove it as Daredevil stresses that the signal speeds up. Osborn, distressed for an as-yet unknown reason, also makes haste toward the signal before it can be removed.

It turns out that the operation was being conducted in a rather opulent home of Norman Osborn's. As the bomb explodes with The N.A. far from the scene, Osborn is furious. Meanwhile, back at Osborn Tower (Formerly Stark/Avengers Tower), The Hood turns up to a gathering between Jonas Harrow and all his former men; and he's very...very angry.

He immediately blows Jonas Harrow's head off and lambasts his men for ditching him in favour of Osborn. They said that they were angry for hiding the fact that they were working for Osborn all along, which The Hood corrects; they were never working for Osborn. In return for Osborn letting them be free, The Hood just had them do some jobs for him. He reiterates that, unfortunately, now they DO work for him.

Osborn chimes in and very sinisterly offers them ALL freedom...in exchange for the deaths of every single member of The N.A., excluding Spider-Man. He wants Spider-Man alive.

I mentioned this in my review of Spider-Man's The List issue; I love how it ALWAYS comes down to Osborn's hatred for Spidey. He's gearing up to war with a nation of gods and happens to be juggling control of the entire superhero nation...yet he still wants Spidey's life in his hands. I LOVE it.

It also helps that the issue comes to a close with the tag: "Next issue: Siege!".

I'm excited. I'm immensely, terrifyingly excited. Bendis, man...I swear. You're making me a believer. I'm the little boy again. That little boy that discovered back issues of Mutant Massacre, Infinity Gauntlet, Fall of the Mutants and just couldn't stop reading. That's what I am hoping Siege is; the first real saga in a LONG time that I not only enjoy, but rabidly await with excitement.


Thor #605.

As the Asgardians wage battle against Doom's grotesque abominations, Thor trades a couple of long-distance shots with "Doom" (Notice the quotation marks...) after his grand entrance at the end of Thor #604.

Thor turns his focus to aiding his fellow Asgardians outside the castle walls, ever glad to see his face. The brief peace that cessation of combat brings to the Asgardian's is shattered by "Dr. Doom" appearing above. He holds the dead body of Queen Kelda aloft (He ripped her heart out in a previous issue) and tosses her to the Asgardians below.

Enraged, Thor propels himself into the air and hurls an almighty blast toward "Doom". In the wake of the destruction, it is revealed to be a Doombot yet again. In the midst of all this, Loki had convinced his watchers to grant him attendance at the battle. He shows up and proposes that Kelda is not lost. He proposes that if Endrik could last for five minutes without a heart, an Asgardian Queen is surely not beyond saving. Heimdall uses his astral sight to locate the heart; three walls inside Doom's castle.

Thor epically states: "Three walls? THREE HELLS WILL NOT STOP ME!", and proceeds to bombard his way into the castle like an armoured version of Kool-Aid Man.

Doom doesn't appreciate this and tells him that it is the last piece of property he'll lay waste to in Latveria. Thor is struck from behind, causing him to fall in pain. This is where the plot thickens.

It turns out that Doom had been using Asgardian knowledge to research the Odin-created Destroyer armour (A truely formidable piece of battle kit. Google it). Having built it himself, he realised it was lacking one final piece...can you guess what? That's correct! An Asgardian heart.

Placing himself in the Destroyer armour, Doom ominously prepares to give Thor a fight, a fight quite possibly unlike one he has ever endured before.

Doom + the Destroyer armour = ALL KINDS OF MAYHEM. So epic.

I gotta say, Kieron Gillen is really impressing me on Thor and Billy Tan's art is truly evocative. Thor still looks like a bit of an armoured farmboy in the facial area, but he's also Thor.

I'm definitely gonna start adding this to my monthly regular buys. I was only buying it for Siege's lead-up, but now I'm actually hooked. Thor is another one who, like Captain America, I LOVED the idea of. I just never dug his comics, only his cameos in events.

J. Michael Straczynski and Kieron Gillen are doing for Thor what Ed Brubaker has done for Captain America; made me a believer.

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That's about all I've got for you guys! I'm not expecting major views or comments because everyone's got more important shit to do than read this on a Christmas eve, but thanks anyway.

My next post will be...Thursday! Monday was going to be the day of my massive End of Year Awards post, but I just remembered that there aren't any new comics coming out next week besides Origins of Siege. This gives me more time to configure, draft, re-draft and edit my huge post. Keep your eyes peeled!

Seriously, guys and girls. If you wanna get into comics, NOW IS THE TIME. If you need help acquiring a Dark Reign/Pre-Siege checklist, get at me in the comment box.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS OUT ON MARVEL'S 2010 LINE-UP! I'M TYPING IN CAPS, YOU KNOW I'M SERIOUS/EXCITED WHEN I TYPE IN CAPS!

DISCLAIMER: The Mast and all affiliated subsidiaries reserve the right to deflect any blame or guilt if Siege and it's associated tie-ins turn out to be anti-climatic or, at worst, poor.

So, thank you for reading Thursday's Comics (24/12/2009) and I will catch you guys later! Have a brilliant Christmas, make it a good one and please, if you're going to drink or do any other substances...don't drive. Ok? Good.

Until then, peace.

-The Mast