Ha, ha, haaa! Loins.
I just wanted to update with a quick something before this week's mega edition of Thursday's Comics.
I was going to do a more lengthy post, but due to health issues I don't really feel entirely up to sitting at my comp for too long today.
To spare a minute and 28 seconds of your time to check out the following link would be time well spent.
A Fan-Made Deadpool Trailer.
Someone made this in honour of a Deadpool movie being in the works. I must say, considering the lack of suitable Ryan Reynolds footage, this is really enjoyable! My only complaints would be the Nickelback and the heroic vibe going on. Aside from that, it's pretty fun.
I would definitely have had Deadpool present his OWN trailer (See the GENIUS teaser trailer for Toys to get an idea. Yes, the Robin Williams one. Don't hate because that movie is the mad note), but it's pretty good! Props to the guy making this.
Though it doesn't QUITE live up to the AMAZINGLY well done and epic Green Lantern Fan-Made Trailer, it's pretty good. Seriously, if you haven't seen the Green Lantern one, do so. What's sad is that Nathan Fillion didn't get the part, and that the movie won't be half as good as that trailer looks, probably.
Anyway, that's all I've got for you right now!
Check back for Thursday's Comics, don't forget to comment, you bums! None of you comment! You DON'T have to own a Blogspot account to comment, just saying!
Until then, peace.
-The Mast
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Thursday, 11 March 2010
The Mast Reviews: Thursday's Comics (11/3/2010).
Game warden to the comics event's rhino!
Yes, it's that time of the week again. That time where I talk to you people about what comics I've bought and read each Thursday, and whether or not you need to buy the shit out of them.
Today only two comics of interest came out. One of those was Dark X-Men #5 of 5...and it's shit. Such a worthless series and even if it does end on an interesting note (Nate Grey/X-Man being captures and used to power Osborn's mutant-power-sapping machine), it's too little too late for me.
So, that means it's just the one review today! Next week will make up for it as there are EIGHT comics coming out that I'll be buying. EIGHT, not even five and shit, but EIGHT!
With that said, let's get to this!
Prelude to Deadpool Corps #2 of 5.
With Deadpool going through alternate universes in order to recruit other versions of himself for some unknown task, it's Kidpool's turn to be inducted.
The story begins at Xavier's School for Troubled Youngsters. Unlike the real institution, this is a place where bad youngsters go when they can't handle their powers...or just don't want to. One of these students happens to be Kidpool, a child-version of Wade Wilson who goes by his name. Put on detention in the Danger Room by Storm for giving Cyclops a wedgie, with Cyke for company, they have a bit of a scuffle before Cyclops uses the Danger Room code to escape with Deadpool's manipulation.
There's a ball at the Xavier Mansion and Emma Frost is bring her female students over. Cyclops wants Jean Grey and that's how Kidpool so hilariously manipulates him into getting out:
Kidpool creates a distraction so Cyke can steal Jean away. Wolverine, Angel and Colossus (Remember, all youngsters) all gang up on Kidpool while Cyclops gets rejected by Jean. The school members, staff and students alike, corner Kidpool and eventually just tell him to leave because nobody wants him. With this, Deadpool shows up through the portal and tells Kidpool he needs him for something super important. This pleases Kidpool who promptly tells his class members and staff to "suck on it".
They take off and the issue ends.
I...loved...this...issue. Oh man. What a fucking piece of hilarity. Such pinpoint Deadpool writing! It's just a shame it's not on Deadpool, but Kidpool. My initial worry with ANOTHER on-going was that if no current Deadpool writers can consistently write him great, why would you fill a book with Deadpools?
I enjoyed the dialogue last issue, but THIS time it was AMAZING. I really, REALLY loved this issue, seriously. The art is also really nice and very reminiscent of old-school Deadpool with a modern edge. Deadpool doesn't look like a joke when he finally does show up, he looks like a sleek badass. The art is SO nice and it's just a shame that there are people, like Whilce Portacio, who are capable of nailing Deadpool but only ever do one issue.
I'm probably crazy to say this...but I really can't wait to see what Deadpool Corps is like now. I mean, I have no doubt I'll have the same complaints as usual with Deadpool's character, but hopefully it makes me laugh as much as this did.
There's a dynamite bit of dialogue where Xavier is trying on wigs to impress Emma Frost and Storm says that a bald head can seem distinguished like "that guy from Star Trek: The Next Generation.". I thought that was pretty clever (Patrick Stewart, guys. Capt. Jean Luc Picard and also Professor X in the X-Men movies).
Wait until this comes out as a trade and pick it up if it's cheap!
---
That's all I have for now, but NEXT week is HUGE! Next week we've got:
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 of 5
Haunt #6 (As well as the first volume of the trade, so get on it)
Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #9
Nation X #4 of 4
Doomwar #2 of 6
Prelude to Deadpool Corps #3 of 5
Dark Avengers #15
Most importantly, next week brings the release of Siege #3 of 4 and Siege: Embedded #3 of 4! I'M SO EXCITED FOR THIS I'M TYPING IN CAPS.
Ok, so that's nine comics, but I'm not reviewing Nation X because it's trash. EIGHT reviews next week, so be prepared!
Also, for those of you who STILL haven't checked out my interview with Vast Aire below, what's wrong with you? Go do that!
Stay safe, people.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
Yes, it's that time of the week again. That time where I talk to you people about what comics I've bought and read each Thursday, and whether or not you need to buy the shit out of them.
Today only two comics of interest came out. One of those was Dark X-Men #5 of 5...and it's shit. Such a worthless series and even if it does end on an interesting note (Nate Grey/X-Man being captures and used to power Osborn's mutant-power-sapping machine), it's too little too late for me.
So, that means it's just the one review today! Next week will make up for it as there are EIGHT comics coming out that I'll be buying. EIGHT, not even five and shit, but EIGHT!
With that said, let's get to this!
Prelude to Deadpool Corps #2 of 5.
With Deadpool going through alternate universes in order to recruit other versions of himself for some unknown task, it's Kidpool's turn to be inducted.
The story begins at Xavier's School for Troubled Youngsters. Unlike the real institution, this is a place where bad youngsters go when they can't handle their powers...or just don't want to. One of these students happens to be Kidpool, a child-version of Wade Wilson who goes by his name. Put on detention in the Danger Room by Storm for giving Cyclops a wedgie, with Cyke for company, they have a bit of a scuffle before Cyclops uses the Danger Room code to escape with Deadpool's manipulation.
There's a ball at the Xavier Mansion and Emma Frost is bring her female students over. Cyclops wants Jean Grey and that's how Kidpool so hilariously manipulates him into getting out:
"Jean's out there with Wolverine and he's smelling like Aqua Velva and Cool Ranch Doritos! She probably digs that!".
Kidpool creates a distraction so Cyke can steal Jean away. Wolverine, Angel and Colossus (Remember, all youngsters) all gang up on Kidpool while Cyclops gets rejected by Jean. The school members, staff and students alike, corner Kidpool and eventually just tell him to leave because nobody wants him. With this, Deadpool shows up through the portal and tells Kidpool he needs him for something super important. This pleases Kidpool who promptly tells his class members and staff to "suck on it".
They take off and the issue ends.
I...loved...this...issue. Oh man. What a fucking piece of hilarity. Such pinpoint Deadpool writing! It's just a shame it's not on Deadpool, but Kidpool. My initial worry with ANOTHER on-going was that if no current Deadpool writers can consistently write him great, why would you fill a book with Deadpools?
I enjoyed the dialogue last issue, but THIS time it was AMAZING. I really, REALLY loved this issue, seriously. The art is also really nice and very reminiscent of old-school Deadpool with a modern edge. Deadpool doesn't look like a joke when he finally does show up, he looks like a sleek badass. The art is SO nice and it's just a shame that there are people, like Whilce Portacio, who are capable of nailing Deadpool but only ever do one issue.
I'm probably crazy to say this...but I really can't wait to see what Deadpool Corps is like now. I mean, I have no doubt I'll have the same complaints as usual with Deadpool's character, but hopefully it makes me laugh as much as this did.
There's a dynamite bit of dialogue where Xavier is trying on wigs to impress Emma Frost and Storm says that a bald head can seem distinguished like "that guy from Star Trek: The Next Generation.". I thought that was pretty clever (Patrick Stewart, guys. Capt. Jean Luc Picard and also Professor X in the X-Men movies).
Wait until this comes out as a trade and pick it up if it's cheap!
---
That's all I have for now, but NEXT week is HUGE! Next week we've got:
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 of 5
Haunt #6 (As well as the first volume of the trade, so get on it)
Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #9
Nation X #4 of 4
Doomwar #2 of 6
Prelude to Deadpool Corps #3 of 5
Dark Avengers #15
Most importantly, next week brings the release of Siege #3 of 4 and Siege: Embedded #3 of 4! I'M SO EXCITED FOR THIS I'M TYPING IN CAPS.
Ok, so that's nine comics, but I'm not reviewing Nation X because it's trash. EIGHT reviews next week, so be prepared!
Also, for those of you who STILL haven't checked out my interview with Vast Aire below, what's wrong with you? Go do that!
Stay safe, people.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
The Mast Meets: Vast Aire.
Use robot punch!
Welcome to the Mast, people. Thanks for joining me on this very special blog post. It's been coming for a while (Since this was a comic AND music blog, not JUST comics) and now it's finally here. My interview with Vast Aire is now live!
The link is below for you all to digest and consume:
The Mast Meets Vast: The Interview.
Download that and put it on your iPods, your iTunes or whatever it is you use. It's a really big deal to me so it means a lot that all of my people have shown interest and been awaiting this interview, as well as those who might be checking this out for the first time, I thank you all. Trust me, I've been awaiting it. It's not every day you get to chat and talk about anything and everything with one of your favourite musicians, so I appreciate it.
Hear us talk about a myriad of subjects including: hip hop, genuine artistry, the lack of passion in today's mainstream MCs, Daredevil, pizza, cheeseburgers and above all else, comic books!
It's all there and I hope you enjoy it. It was my first vocal interview, really, but it went pretty awesome.
So once again I wanna thank my dude Vast for coming through on my blog and talking up a storm with me. The guy knows his comics (Which is why I wanted to interview the dude) and he knows his cult culture. He's an honest dude and that comes across in the interview.
Make sure you get out to his shows when he hits up Canada! Tell him The Mast sent you. You'll get your money's worth.
Vast Aire on MySpace.
Keep your eyes on his MySpace; there are loads of links there that you can buy his music from. Go to Amazon, go to anywhere you can get it and pick up as much as you can.
Watch for his new material coming out as we said. He's got The Asiatic Calendar coming out, Ox 2010: A Street Odyssey in the Autumn as well as his new track with Raekwon coming out.
The Year of The Mast and The Year of Vast in one. Don't miss out!
Until tomorrow, peace.
-The Mast
Welcome to the Mast, people. Thanks for joining me on this very special blog post. It's been coming for a while (Since this was a comic AND music blog, not JUST comics) and now it's finally here. My interview with Vast Aire is now live!
The link is below for you all to digest and consume:
The Mast Meets Vast: The Interview.
Download that and put it on your iPods, your iTunes or whatever it is you use. It's a really big deal to me so it means a lot that all of my people have shown interest and been awaiting this interview, as well as those who might be checking this out for the first time, I thank you all. Trust me, I've been awaiting it. It's not every day you get to chat and talk about anything and everything with one of your favourite musicians, so I appreciate it.
Hear us talk about a myriad of subjects including: hip hop, genuine artistry, the lack of passion in today's mainstream MCs, Daredevil, pizza, cheeseburgers and above all else, comic books!
It's all there and I hope you enjoy it. It was my first vocal interview, really, but it went pretty awesome.
So once again I wanna thank my dude Vast for coming through on my blog and talking up a storm with me. The guy knows his comics (Which is why I wanted to interview the dude) and he knows his cult culture. He's an honest dude and that comes across in the interview.
Make sure you get out to his shows when he hits up Canada! Tell him The Mast sent you. You'll get your money's worth.
Vast Aire on MySpace.
Keep your eyes on his MySpace; there are loads of links there that you can buy his music from. Go to Amazon, go to anywhere you can get it and pick up as much as you can.
Watch for his new material coming out as we said. He's got The Asiatic Calendar coming out, Ox 2010: A Street Odyssey in the Autumn as well as his new track with Raekwon coming out.
The Year of The Mast and The Year of Vast in one. Don't miss out!
Until tomorrow, peace.
-The Mast
Monday, 8 March 2010
The Mast Blogs: Fourth Time's a Charm & 2010's Biggest Treat Just Got Bigger.
Greetings.
So, I figured I'd make this somewhat of an information update, because this IS a very educational blog. It's designed to teach you all about the wonders of comics and update those who are already so fortunate.
News has got out that there will be a FOURTH on-going added to the upcoming swathe of Avengers titles. The Avengers, Secret Avengers, The New Avengers and now Avengers Academy will all launch around May/June.
Obviously, nobody is obligated to buy them all and lots of people are up in arms about how they're all gonna work, but we're not SUPPOSED to know yet. Be patient, you bums. Personally, I'm on board for The Avengers and Secret Avengers. I've agreed with myself to add ONE more title to my pull-box, so I'm curious as to what'll be better out of The New (New) Avengers and Avengers Academy. To be honest, I'm leaning toward The New Avengers, simply because I know the characters and love them so much. If Avengers Academy goes the way of Avengers: The Initiative, I won't really dig it since I didn't get into that series.
We'll see I guess. Here's the obligatory teaser poster:
What a dreadful font, but whatever. It's all adding to the fact that this Heroic Age is dawning and I gotta say, as I have before, it feels real.
I have one more nugged of sexually exciting info for all of you, if you aren't aware already.
Iron Man 2 has a NEW trailer out!
It's pretty fucking awesome. It doesn't reveal too much, and considering the movie is kinda close, that'll probably be the last trailer. It's the last one I'm going to watch, anyway. My issue lies with the fact that Scarlett Johansson doesn't speak in it, which you'd think she would. Are Marvel Studios regretting casting someone who possibly sounds like a tool with a Russian accent?
Let me know what you think, ladies and gents. Unless it's about how fucking incredible War Machine looks, because that's just inarguable.
Until next time, peace!
-The Mast
So, I figured I'd make this somewhat of an information update, because this IS a very educational blog. It's designed to teach you all about the wonders of comics and update those who are already so fortunate.
News has got out that there will be a FOURTH on-going added to the upcoming swathe of Avengers titles. The Avengers, Secret Avengers, The New Avengers and now Avengers Academy will all launch around May/June.
Obviously, nobody is obligated to buy them all and lots of people are up in arms about how they're all gonna work, but we're not SUPPOSED to know yet. Be patient, you bums. Personally, I'm on board for The Avengers and Secret Avengers. I've agreed with myself to add ONE more title to my pull-box, so I'm curious as to what'll be better out of The New (New) Avengers and Avengers Academy. To be honest, I'm leaning toward The New Avengers, simply because I know the characters and love them so much. If Avengers Academy goes the way of Avengers: The Initiative, I won't really dig it since I didn't get into that series.
We'll see I guess. Here's the obligatory teaser poster:
What a dreadful font, but whatever. It's all adding to the fact that this Heroic Age is dawning and I gotta say, as I have before, it feels real.
I have one more nugged of sexually exciting info for all of you, if you aren't aware already.
Iron Man 2 has a NEW trailer out!
It's pretty fucking awesome. It doesn't reveal too much, and considering the movie is kinda close, that'll probably be the last trailer. It's the last one I'm going to watch, anyway. My issue lies with the fact that Scarlett Johansson doesn't speak in it, which you'd think she would. Are Marvel Studios regretting casting someone who possibly sounds like a tool with a Russian accent?
Let me know what you think, ladies and gents. Unless it's about how fucking incredible War Machine looks, because that's just inarguable.
Until next time, peace!
-The Mast
Thursday, 4 March 2010
The Mast Reviews: Thursday's Comics (4/3/2010).
Ooh, what a lovely tea party.
Hello and welcome to Fox News, I'm your host Sean Hannity and I'm a tool. Just kidding, this is not Fox News and I am not Sean Hannity. This is Welcome to the Mast and I am The Mast.
Today only two comics came out that I happened to buy, so there won't be much for you to read. Next week is also going to feature only two comics, if you can believe that. Well, that's according to the predicted releases that week, anyway.
Next week you can expect the thrilling conclusion to the epically awesome series that is Dark X-Men. I'm joking, it's a terrible series and I'm glad that #5 of 5 is out so I can get it over with.
For now though, a double dose of Deadpool! Alliteration is a strong suit of mine.
Deadpool Team-Up #895.
Considering the nature of this series, as I've said before, Deadpool Team-Up's quality is really up in the air. With new writers every month and one-and-done stories in each issue, it really does have any chance of being shit, amazing or anywhere in between.
This month's guest is It! The Living Colossus and this issue is...ok. It's very funny in part, and the story itself is somewhat amusing. Deadpool is hired by a woman and her catatonic father, Bob O'Bryan to accompany them on a journey to the bottom of the ocean in hopes of finding something that they're after. Deadpool is hired, it's revealed, because she thought he was the captain of a submarine. This turns out to be a mistake as Deadpool reveals, quite hilariously, that Captain Vanilla Peen is just his screen name on Brian Michael Bendis' messageboard.
For the record, Bob O'Bryan is a guy who can psychically meld his mind with this gigantic statue and thus become It! The Living Colossus. That's the reason they're down there, to look for the statue and hopefully get her father some consciousness back.
They are accosted by sea monsters and Deadpool starts puppeting Bob so as to control It! and fight off the beings. The sub becomes damaged and just as they're about to drown Bob awakens, melds with It! and carries them to the surface after slaying the beasts.
All ends well.
It's an ok issue, I guess. Dalibor Talajic's art is the best thing about this comic, really. It has a nice, almost old school feel to it. It's not quite Joe Madureira, but it'll do.
Prelude to Deadpool Corps #1.
The first of a five-part mini-series that leads into the FOURTH Deadpool on-going series, Deadpool Corps, is surprisingly not shit. They're releasing one a week, so it'll have its final part on March 5th and the second part is the only other comic coming out next week.
I can't hate on Rob Liefield (Artist) too much, as he is the co-creator of Deadpool. Sometimes his Deadpool is awesome, sometimes it's not. Generally, his character art, layouts and such are just DIRE. This book is no different. Well, it's not dire, artistically, it's just bread-and-butter Liefield. Deadpool looks good, but...that's about it. Liefield's tendancy to draw all unmasked characters with the same open-mouthed, sunken-cheeked expression means that they all tend to lack any sense of visual characterisation.
Victor Gischler, however, does something relatively surprising. There's a Lady Deadpool (Wanda Wilson) in this book, and she too has two voices in her head, that amounts to there essentially being four Deadpools in this book: the two voices, the Lady Deadpool from the alternate dimension (Previously seen in Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #7) and Deadpool himself. Gischler does a pretty decent job of writing some pretty funny dialogue throughout, especially for Lady Deadpool and Deadpool.
The two voices NEED to go; this is no more noticeable than in this book. Deadpool himself does not utilise the two voices, so when he interacts with anyone, it's so much better. The writing between Lady Deadpool and Deadpool is identical, making it hard to differentiate between the two, but the dialogue is reasonably decent.
Lady Deadpool is part of a rebel group trying to fight against General America (Cap got a promotion), cybernetic arm and all. Deadpool appears, they get into a fight with General America and after winning, Deadpool recruits Ladypool for something that he says the world needs the Deadpools for. It's not stated what this is, but the issue ends there.
I really think this could be some fun, out-of-continuity stuff if it was a mini, but I really hate how this is being pushed into a series. Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth and Deadpool Team-Up are covering those aforementioned bases, so another series REALLY isn't needed. If anything, Deadpool Team-Up serves a better purpose. At least it does something different every month and, with the revolving door writing policy, has every chance to produce a stellar issue.
Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth and Prelude to Deadpool Corps/Deadpool Corps are going to cancel each other out. I think it's a maddeningly confusing decision, especially as the former was starting to pick up steam in its own right and, far from what was expected, become many people's favourite Deadpool title.
Oh well. If this is something you're interested in, wait for the trade paperback.
---
That's about all I've got for you this week, guys and girls. Just as a heads up, though, the Ghost Riders: Heaven's on Fire trade paperback comes out next Weds/Thurs, depending where you are. DEFINITELY go grab that, it's a brilliant little story.
I may not review Dark X-Men #5 if it's so bad, so next week may be Prelude to Deadpool Corps #2 and not much else. Regardless, that wraps up this weeks edition of Thursday's Comics. Sorry it wasn't more entertaining, but I cannae play with cards I've not been dealt.
Over the next week, keep an eye out for either my massive Daredevil Catch-Up post (Possibly), another edition of The Mast Looks Back OR...something entirely different.
Oh and by the way, the latest reveal on the roster for the new version of The New Avengers was released today...JEWEL. Hells yes. Jessica Jones-Cage out of retirement! I'm VERY much looking forward to the Spidey/Cage/Jewel interaction. The main series of The Avengers is fast becoming my least awaited (Though still awaited) of the three titles! I can't wait for The Heroic Age, it's starting to feel impactful more and more!
Anyway, I'm out.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
Hello and welcome to Fox News, I'm your host Sean Hannity and I'm a tool. Just kidding, this is not Fox News and I am not Sean Hannity. This is Welcome to the Mast and I am The Mast.
Today only two comics came out that I happened to buy, so there won't be much for you to read. Next week is also going to feature only two comics, if you can believe that. Well, that's according to the predicted releases that week, anyway.
Next week you can expect the thrilling conclusion to the epically awesome series that is Dark X-Men. I'm joking, it's a terrible series and I'm glad that #5 of 5 is out so I can get it over with.
For now though, a double dose of Deadpool! Alliteration is a strong suit of mine.
Deadpool Team-Up #895.
Considering the nature of this series, as I've said before, Deadpool Team-Up's quality is really up in the air. With new writers every month and one-and-done stories in each issue, it really does have any chance of being shit, amazing or anywhere in between.
This month's guest is It! The Living Colossus and this issue is...ok. It's very funny in part, and the story itself is somewhat amusing. Deadpool is hired by a woman and her catatonic father, Bob O'Bryan to accompany them on a journey to the bottom of the ocean in hopes of finding something that they're after. Deadpool is hired, it's revealed, because she thought he was the captain of a submarine. This turns out to be a mistake as Deadpool reveals, quite hilariously, that Captain Vanilla Peen is just his screen name on Brian Michael Bendis' messageboard.
For the record, Bob O'Bryan is a guy who can psychically meld his mind with this gigantic statue and thus become It! The Living Colossus. That's the reason they're down there, to look for the statue and hopefully get her father some consciousness back.
They are accosted by sea monsters and Deadpool starts puppeting Bob so as to control It! and fight off the beings. The sub becomes damaged and just as they're about to drown Bob awakens, melds with It! and carries them to the surface after slaying the beasts.
All ends well.
It's an ok issue, I guess. Dalibor Talajic's art is the best thing about this comic, really. It has a nice, almost old school feel to it. It's not quite Joe Madureira, but it'll do.
Prelude to Deadpool Corps #1.
The first of a five-part mini-series that leads into the FOURTH Deadpool on-going series, Deadpool Corps, is surprisingly not shit. They're releasing one a week, so it'll have its final part on March 5th and the second part is the only other comic coming out next week.
I can't hate on Rob Liefield (Artist) too much, as he is the co-creator of Deadpool. Sometimes his Deadpool is awesome, sometimes it's not. Generally, his character art, layouts and such are just DIRE. This book is no different. Well, it's not dire, artistically, it's just bread-and-butter Liefield. Deadpool looks good, but...that's about it. Liefield's tendancy to draw all unmasked characters with the same open-mouthed, sunken-cheeked expression means that they all tend to lack any sense of visual characterisation.
Victor Gischler, however, does something relatively surprising. There's a Lady Deadpool (Wanda Wilson) in this book, and she too has two voices in her head, that amounts to there essentially being four Deadpools in this book: the two voices, the Lady Deadpool from the alternate dimension (Previously seen in Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #7) and Deadpool himself. Gischler does a pretty decent job of writing some pretty funny dialogue throughout, especially for Lady Deadpool and Deadpool.
The two voices NEED to go; this is no more noticeable than in this book. Deadpool himself does not utilise the two voices, so when he interacts with anyone, it's so much better. The writing between Lady Deadpool and Deadpool is identical, making it hard to differentiate between the two, but the dialogue is reasonably decent.
Lady Deadpool is part of a rebel group trying to fight against General America (Cap got a promotion), cybernetic arm and all. Deadpool appears, they get into a fight with General America and after winning, Deadpool recruits Ladypool for something that he says the world needs the Deadpools for. It's not stated what this is, but the issue ends there.
I really think this could be some fun, out-of-continuity stuff if it was a mini, but I really hate how this is being pushed into a series. Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth and Deadpool Team-Up are covering those aforementioned bases, so another series REALLY isn't needed. If anything, Deadpool Team-Up serves a better purpose. At least it does something different every month and, with the revolving door writing policy, has every chance to produce a stellar issue.
Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth and Prelude to Deadpool Corps/Deadpool Corps are going to cancel each other out. I think it's a maddeningly confusing decision, especially as the former was starting to pick up steam in its own right and, far from what was expected, become many people's favourite Deadpool title.
Oh well. If this is something you're interested in, wait for the trade paperback.
---
That's about all I've got for you this week, guys and girls. Just as a heads up, though, the Ghost Riders: Heaven's on Fire trade paperback comes out next Weds/Thurs, depending where you are. DEFINITELY go grab that, it's a brilliant little story.
I may not review Dark X-Men #5 if it's so bad, so next week may be Prelude to Deadpool Corps #2 and not much else. Regardless, that wraps up this weeks edition of Thursday's Comics. Sorry it wasn't more entertaining, but I cannae play with cards I've not been dealt.
Over the next week, keep an eye out for either my massive Daredevil Catch-Up post (Possibly), another edition of The Mast Looks Back OR...something entirely different.
Oh and by the way, the latest reveal on the roster for the new version of The New Avengers was released today...JEWEL. Hells yes. Jessica Jones-Cage out of retirement! I'm VERY much looking forward to the Spidey/Cage/Jewel interaction. The main series of The Avengers is fast becoming my least awaited (Though still awaited) of the three titles! I can't wait for The Heroic Age, it's starting to feel impactful more and more!
Anyway, I'm out.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
The Mast Looks Back: Vol. 6 (Civil War).
Thank you, computer MAN!
Welcome to this blog. It's called Welcome to the Mast, I'm The Mast. I talk comics here, I think you know it.
Today I'm going to be reviewing the thing I said in the title, but first I've got some updates for your mindhead.
1. Regarding interviews, I'm not going to announce future ones until I actually have them done. The reason for this is because I announce them, confirm them, and then for various reasons they take longer to do due to conflicting schedules. Still, the Vast Aire interview IS coming, I assure you.
2. Daredevil #506 doesn't come out until APRIL, so that means you will get an entire Daredevil summary/catch-up before I integrate the series into Thursday's Comics. It may be a review of the current arc or it may be an entire retrospective of his second volume. I'll see.
3. Recently there have been updates regarding the post-Siege Marvel universe. There will be THREE titles featuring variations of The Avengers. Those are: The Avengers, Secret Avengers and as of a few days ago, The New Avengers. All of this and possibly a 4th in Avengers Academy.
I know, I'm confused too. I don't see why they'd END The New Avengers and start it up again from #1 in June. Bendis has said that it isn't supposed to make sense yet, but it will. Regardless, I will be posting post-Siege/pre-Heroic Age recaps so that you can know where things stand if you choose this as your jumping on point. Most curiously I wonder if these teams will involve Daredevil. I sort of feel that with so many variations it won't feel as big for him to get the call-up. Still, we'll see and I'll deal with that in time.
Let's get on with the review that a lot of people have asked me for (People seem allergic to commenting, though)!
Civil War.
For all intents and purposes, not counting The Avengers: Disassembled, this is the storyline that started everything we're seeing right now.
Originally released in seven parts and now as a trade paperback, Civil War tells arguably the most meaningful story of division among the Marvel universe and sets the stage for the following arcs. Mark Millar really does well with Civil War and, accompanied my Steve McNiven's art, solidifies it as one of the more memorable Marvel stories in a long time.
In Stamford, Connecticut; the New Mutants are seen preparing to bust into a house and take down some supervillains who are hiding out inside. They're filming it for their reality show and plan for this to be their biggest show yet. As they set upon the house, all is going well until Nitro escapes. Namorita chases him down and corners him, this turns out to be the mistake that causes the dominoes to fall. Nitro knows he has nowhere to go and so, with the chilling last words: "You're playing with the big boys now.", he spontaneously explodes himself. The entire neighbourhood is levelled and destroyed, resulting in the deaths of 512 men, women and children (I think).
With public/mutant/superhero relations already at breaking point following the events of Secret War, this caused the government to have absolutely no doubt as to what consequences would arise, and the Superhuman Registration Act was proposed.
This act required all superheroes to register with the government and reveal their identities in order to receive proper training and to operate under the jurisdiction of said government. The titular Civil War begins at this point.
Now lead by the bullish and stand-offish Maria Hill, S.H.I.E.L.D. sent out a warning that if anyone had refused to register by midnight they would be hunted down and imprisoned. Some superheroes such as Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Mr. Marvel and Wonder Man all supported this idea. Others such as Captain America, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and Cable, did not. In reply to Iron Man's argument that it was their duty to protect the American people, to give them something more than potentially irresponsible masked heroes, Captain America retorted that it was a violation of civil liberty and civil rights. I'm still not entirely sure which side I fall on, but more on that later.
Captain America and his underground group of supporters are resultantly made fugitives of the law and spend a majority of the time waging a guerrila war against the Pro-Reg heroes, with Iron Man and Captain America frequently coming to blows. Someone who registered, but had yet to reveal his identity, was Spidey. It's with Spidey that the tide of the Civil War began to get extremely choppy and turned into a rather dangerous undercurrent.
Spider-Man was considering fleeing the country due to not wanting to put his loved ones in jeopardy by revealing his identity. Eventually he was convinced by Mary Jane, Aunt May and others to do so. In one of the most shocking events in Marvel history, Spider-Man publically unveiled his identity on live television:
He fully joined Tony Stark and began campaigning for registration. Doubts began to form in his mind, however, when he is told of the plans for the prisoners (Storing them in the Negative Zone for their natural lives or until they register) and especially when the Pro-Reg heroes confronted Captain America's rebels. A fight breaks out after Cap attaches a scrambler device to Iron Man while pretending to shake his hand in agreement for amnesty, and Iron Man calls for back up.
This is where things take a tragic turn for the worst. Iron Man and Mr. Fantastic had cloned Thor from a single strand of hair that Stark had kept since the first meeting of The Avengers. Using the Thor clone to subdue the rebels in battle turns out to turn the tide in their favour, but quickly gets out of hand as Clor (Clone/Thor, dubbed by fans but later known as Ragnarok) begins brutalising his opponents, eventually killing Goliath by blasting him through the chest.
Spidey has generally seen more than enough at this point and through a series of events in The Amazing Spider-Man (You can buy the tie-ins for each character in trade paperback form), decided to rebel against registration. Unfortunately, with his identity out, he now has to worry about Stark AND his family. He sends Aunt May and M.J. away into hiding. Sadly, the information of his identity falls into the hands of an imprisoned person...the worst person possible...
The Kingpin orders a hit on Spidey/Parker and, in the event that he isn't home, anyone who is. More on this later...
Meanwhile, the Civil War rages on with the Marvel universe split right down the middle. The X-Men, still shaking from the events of House of M, choose to remain neutral while Sue, Johnny and Ben from the Fantastic Four choose to side with Captain America.
The story revolves around both sides and their members dealing with the consequences of their actions. It's a nicely balanced cat and mouse game with the rebels trying to simultaneously fight back and stay out of the law's hands. Friendships are broken and beliefs are all questioned throughout the story.
The story ends in a climactic battle in New York City, erupting after even more rebels were freed from the Negative Zone prison. Iron Man and Captain America face off one more time before Cap eventually surrenders. After seeing the damage surrounding them he realises that they're all endangering the people they were supposed to be protecting and that it's not worth the fight.
Tony Stark enters into the post-Civil War world as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and begins his 50-State Initiative (A super-powered team for each state), but not unscathed. Ties have been severed and things haven't really been the same since, especially considering Steve gets assassinated on the way to his court hearing.
It's a real gripping story about how the beliefs held tear even the closest bonds apart, and the dangers of what can happen when citizens exchange freedom for security through fear (An obvious political allegory).
Peter Parker returns to the motel in which M.J. and Aunt May are waiting for him. They embrace and the happiness is short lived. His spider-sense goes crazy and he tackles M.J. to the ground in time to dodge the rifle bullet intended for him, courtesy of The Kingpin. He saves one, but loses the other. Aunt May is seen with a bullet wound and dangling at death's door. This occurs in The Amazing Spider-Man #538, the final Civil War tie-in.
It's a tragic end to what was a bittersweet ending as it is. Spidey only ever wanted to do the right thing and in a way, he came off worse than anyone.
There are tie-ins for Iron Man, Captain America and others, but none are really as weighty or impactful as Spidey's.
What follows are the controversial One More Day and Brand New Day Spider-Man arcs. Click the links if you wanna know how it goes. In general, the mini-arc The Initiative followed and that was succeeded by the next BIG arc entitled Secret Invasion. The latter is the arc that really, truly caused Dark Reign (Which I've already done a retrospective on) and will be reviewed soon.
All things considered, Civil War is a pretty intense story. It's far from original, but it's truly powerful if you have any investment in these characters. In many ways, it's Spider-Man's tragedy, but it did force changes on the M.U. and its characters that are still felt today. Spider-Man has since become an even bigger part of the Marvel universe since, joining The New Avengers and even becoming an actual member of The Avengers in their upcoming reformation.
If you want all seven single issues, eBay is good. As a trade paperback, it's not that expensive to buy or find, really. You can grab it from Amazon or any good, varied bookstore probably. I have both, simply because it's easier to read a trade than to keep getting the single issues out. You don't NEED the tie-ins, it works well like that, so I'd definitely recommend picking it up. It's riveting.
---
Thanks for reading this, guys and girls. I appreciate your time, attention and any feedback I get. Drop me a comment to give me your opinions! What do YOU feel? Who would YOU side with? If powered individuals existed, do you think they could be trusted to go unregistered and untabbed, knowing that many individuals do their best, or would you be a vocal supported of forced registration and training?
Stay tuned for Thursday's Comics, all two of them, and I'll catch you then!
Until next time, peace!
-The Mast
Welcome to this blog. It's called Welcome to the Mast, I'm The Mast. I talk comics here, I think you know it.
Today I'm going to be reviewing the thing I said in the title, but first I've got some updates for your mindhead.
1. Regarding interviews, I'm not going to announce future ones until I actually have them done. The reason for this is because I announce them, confirm them, and then for various reasons they take longer to do due to conflicting schedules. Still, the Vast Aire interview IS coming, I assure you.
2. Daredevil #506 doesn't come out until APRIL, so that means you will get an entire Daredevil summary/catch-up before I integrate the series into Thursday's Comics. It may be a review of the current arc or it may be an entire retrospective of his second volume. I'll see.
3. Recently there have been updates regarding the post-Siege Marvel universe. There will be THREE titles featuring variations of The Avengers. Those are: The Avengers, Secret Avengers and as of a few days ago, The New Avengers. All of this and possibly a 4th in Avengers Academy.
I know, I'm confused too. I don't see why they'd END The New Avengers and start it up again from #1 in June. Bendis has said that it isn't supposed to make sense yet, but it will. Regardless, I will be posting post-Siege/pre-Heroic Age recaps so that you can know where things stand if you choose this as your jumping on point. Most curiously I wonder if these teams will involve Daredevil. I sort of feel that with so many variations it won't feel as big for him to get the call-up. Still, we'll see and I'll deal with that in time.
Let's get on with the review that a lot of people have asked me for (People seem allergic to commenting, though)!
Civil War.
For all intents and purposes, not counting The Avengers: Disassembled, this is the storyline that started everything we're seeing right now.
Originally released in seven parts and now as a trade paperback, Civil War tells arguably the most meaningful story of division among the Marvel universe and sets the stage for the following arcs. Mark Millar really does well with Civil War and, accompanied my Steve McNiven's art, solidifies it as one of the more memorable Marvel stories in a long time.
In Stamford, Connecticut; the New Mutants are seen preparing to bust into a house and take down some supervillains who are hiding out inside. They're filming it for their reality show and plan for this to be their biggest show yet. As they set upon the house, all is going well until Nitro escapes. Namorita chases him down and corners him, this turns out to be the mistake that causes the dominoes to fall. Nitro knows he has nowhere to go and so, with the chilling last words: "You're playing with the big boys now.", he spontaneously explodes himself. The entire neighbourhood is levelled and destroyed, resulting in the deaths of 512 men, women and children (I think).
With public/mutant/superhero relations already at breaking point following the events of Secret War, this caused the government to have absolutely no doubt as to what consequences would arise, and the Superhuman Registration Act was proposed.
This act required all superheroes to register with the government and reveal their identities in order to receive proper training and to operate under the jurisdiction of said government. The titular Civil War begins at this point.
Now lead by the bullish and stand-offish Maria Hill, S.H.I.E.L.D. sent out a warning that if anyone had refused to register by midnight they would be hunted down and imprisoned. Some superheroes such as Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Mr. Marvel and Wonder Man all supported this idea. Others such as Captain America, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and Cable, did not. In reply to Iron Man's argument that it was their duty to protect the American people, to give them something more than potentially irresponsible masked heroes, Captain America retorted that it was a violation of civil liberty and civil rights. I'm still not entirely sure which side I fall on, but more on that later.
Captain America and his underground group of supporters are resultantly made fugitives of the law and spend a majority of the time waging a guerrila war against the Pro-Reg heroes, with Iron Man and Captain America frequently coming to blows. Someone who registered, but had yet to reveal his identity, was Spidey. It's with Spidey that the tide of the Civil War began to get extremely choppy and turned into a rather dangerous undercurrent.
Spider-Man was considering fleeing the country due to not wanting to put his loved ones in jeopardy by revealing his identity. Eventually he was convinced by Mary Jane, Aunt May and others to do so. In one of the most shocking events in Marvel history, Spider-Man publically unveiled his identity on live television:
He fully joined Tony Stark and began campaigning for registration. Doubts began to form in his mind, however, when he is told of the plans for the prisoners (Storing them in the Negative Zone for their natural lives or until they register) and especially when the Pro-Reg heroes confronted Captain America's rebels. A fight breaks out after Cap attaches a scrambler device to Iron Man while pretending to shake his hand in agreement for amnesty, and Iron Man calls for back up.
This is where things take a tragic turn for the worst. Iron Man and Mr. Fantastic had cloned Thor from a single strand of hair that Stark had kept since the first meeting of The Avengers. Using the Thor clone to subdue the rebels in battle turns out to turn the tide in their favour, but quickly gets out of hand as Clor (Clone/Thor, dubbed by fans but later known as Ragnarok) begins brutalising his opponents, eventually killing Goliath by blasting him through the chest.
Spidey has generally seen more than enough at this point and through a series of events in The Amazing Spider-Man (You can buy the tie-ins for each character in trade paperback form), decided to rebel against registration. Unfortunately, with his identity out, he now has to worry about Stark AND his family. He sends Aunt May and M.J. away into hiding. Sadly, the information of his identity falls into the hands of an imprisoned person...the worst person possible...
The Kingpin orders a hit on Spidey/Parker and, in the event that he isn't home, anyone who is. More on this later...
Meanwhile, the Civil War rages on with the Marvel universe split right down the middle. The X-Men, still shaking from the events of House of M, choose to remain neutral while Sue, Johnny and Ben from the Fantastic Four choose to side with Captain America.
The story revolves around both sides and their members dealing with the consequences of their actions. It's a nicely balanced cat and mouse game with the rebels trying to simultaneously fight back and stay out of the law's hands. Friendships are broken and beliefs are all questioned throughout the story.
The story ends in a climactic battle in New York City, erupting after even more rebels were freed from the Negative Zone prison. Iron Man and Captain America face off one more time before Cap eventually surrenders. After seeing the damage surrounding them he realises that they're all endangering the people they were supposed to be protecting and that it's not worth the fight.
Tony Stark enters into the post-Civil War world as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and begins his 50-State Initiative (A super-powered team for each state), but not unscathed. Ties have been severed and things haven't really been the same since, especially considering Steve gets assassinated on the way to his court hearing.
It's a real gripping story about how the beliefs held tear even the closest bonds apart, and the dangers of what can happen when citizens exchange freedom for security through fear (An obvious political allegory).
Peter Parker returns to the motel in which M.J. and Aunt May are waiting for him. They embrace and the happiness is short lived. His spider-sense goes crazy and he tackles M.J. to the ground in time to dodge the rifle bullet intended for him, courtesy of The Kingpin. He saves one, but loses the other. Aunt May is seen with a bullet wound and dangling at death's door. This occurs in The Amazing Spider-Man #538, the final Civil War tie-in.
It's a tragic end to what was a bittersweet ending as it is. Spidey only ever wanted to do the right thing and in a way, he came off worse than anyone.
There are tie-ins for Iron Man, Captain America and others, but none are really as weighty or impactful as Spidey's.
What follows are the controversial One More Day and Brand New Day Spider-Man arcs. Click the links if you wanna know how it goes. In general, the mini-arc The Initiative followed and that was succeeded by the next BIG arc entitled Secret Invasion. The latter is the arc that really, truly caused Dark Reign (Which I've already done a retrospective on) and will be reviewed soon.
All things considered, Civil War is a pretty intense story. It's far from original, but it's truly powerful if you have any investment in these characters. In many ways, it's Spider-Man's tragedy, but it did force changes on the M.U. and its characters that are still felt today. Spider-Man has since become an even bigger part of the Marvel universe since, joining The New Avengers and even becoming an actual member of The Avengers in their upcoming reformation.
If you want all seven single issues, eBay is good. As a trade paperback, it's not that expensive to buy or find, really. You can grab it from Amazon or any good, varied bookstore probably. I have both, simply because it's easier to read a trade than to keep getting the single issues out. You don't NEED the tie-ins, it works well like that, so I'd definitely recommend picking it up. It's riveting.
---
Thanks for reading this, guys and girls. I appreciate your time, attention and any feedback I get. Drop me a comment to give me your opinions! What do YOU feel? Who would YOU side with? If powered individuals existed, do you think they could be trusted to go unregistered and untabbed, knowing that many individuals do their best, or would you be a vocal supported of forced registration and training?
Stay tuned for Thursday's Comics, all two of them, and I'll catch you then!
Until next time, peace!
-The Mast
Thursday, 25 February 2010
The Mast Blogs/Reviews: Shameless Plugs & Thursday's Comics (25/2/2010).
Oh yeah!
I guess that intro loses potency when done without wearing a Kool-Aid Guy outfit.
Regardless, welcome to another fine edition of Thursday's Comics! I am your host, The Mast. You should know that by now.
I want to start this weeks post by gloating about a few gems I recently picked up! Last week I got my hands on THIS bad boy: The Daredevil #505 Deadpool variant.
It's special because it's a parody/edit of Daredevil #187, as I've said before. That comic is special because it's the first Daredevil comic I ever read, so to have a Deadpool variant of Daredevil (My two favs) that happens to be a mock-up of my first Daredevil comic? Pretty special. I want to give special thanks to Mr. Alex...well, just Alex, of Comicana Comics for providing me with this gem for a stupidly reasonable price. Someone actually wanted to charge me £25 more than what I paid, so major thanks to him for that.
I also want to thank Alex for providing me with this: The Fantastic Four #576 Deadpool variant.
I think it's hilarious, totally Deadpool and thus, essential. I don't have it NOW, unfortunately. I have to go back next week to get it, but he's putting it aside for me.
Comicana and Gosh (My main sources of comicy goodness) BOTH happen to be void of websites, so if you want anything ordered, get in touch with me or Google the number/email address of the respective places. Between those two stores and the really awesome staff that work there (In Comicana's case, just Alex. He's a trooper!), there's nothing you'll really be left wanting for. As soon as either of these establishments have an internet place of purchase, you'll see me spam the links here.
Alex has a knack for making people spend money...it's like a sickness, so watch out.
With all that apple-polishing out of the way, let's get to why all seven of you are here (I totally must have more than seven regulars by), to read comic stuff!
Deadpool #20.
Ehh.
The interaction between Spider-Man and Deadpool is solid in this issue, as it was in the issue before, but something just...lacks. I'm so glad that Way seems to have ditched Pool-o-Vision and seems to be cutting back on the two-voices thing, too. That's always a good thing.
The whole issue revolves around Deadpool and Spidey trying to figure out how to deal with Hit-Monkey and his impending assassination attempt on our favourite 4th wall-breaking mercenary. There's one scene where Deadpool shows up in a dress...which was so unnecessary that it made me sick. Like Deadpool isn't portrayed as enough of a joke nowadays, they gotta put him in a dress.
I must admit, the first time they encounter Hit-Monkey is amusing; Spidey theorises that if he can't kill Deadpool then Deadpool can just let himself get shot and then heal, derived from the fact that Hit-Monkey isn't aware Deadpool can heal. Spidey then stands up and just gives Deadpool's hiding place away, thus causing him to get peppered with bullets.
Regardless, it's hard to like or dislike this issue because NOTHING HAPPENS. It honestly feels like absolutely nothing happens at all. There's a subplot involving some corrupt cops who are quickly assassinated by Hit-Monkey...so that was pointless. The issue ends with Hit-Monkey attempting to make amends with Spider-Man after attacking him, but Deadpool mistakes it for an attack and engages Hit-Monkey. The final page shows Deadpool getting pumped full of bullets.
I don't know where this is going, it frustrates me. I wish there was some kind of cohesion between his comics, I really do. During his first main on-going series, it honestly felt like each comic had a purpose. The filler issues at LEAST felt solid. Now it feels like hardly anything's going on. These last two issues have been improvements, but it's gonna take something good to dig it out of the hole it has been in since #12.
I can't say I'd recommend this series right now. Get #1 to #12 and then don't bother with any of them until there's a better arc.
I do love the art, though. Chunky and nice, I dig.
Realm of Kings: Inhumans #4 of 5.
So frustrating, I swear to god.
Realm of Kings is truly suffering without a main serious, I feel. I can only hope that somewhere and somehow things end up relating to everything else. Let me clarify that point...
In the one-shot you had all this horrifying shit revealed and things seemed like they would blow up, big time. Then...never heard of again. Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard is doing well, but that's because it has characters I like and contains actual creatures from The Fault. Realm of Kings: Inhumans has gone four issues without really revealing how or why The Fault is connected.
The loose connection of Black Bolt is running through the issues, this one included. Triton and Ra-Venn continue their research within The Fault and come to the conclusion that they can't tell Queen Medusa of their discovery. The reason for this is that they don't want her to get her hopes up of Black Bolt being alive. They agree that if there's some kind of ghost in The Fault, that Black Bolt himself might be, but don't feel that telling her is a viable option yet.
Mainly, though, the story consists of Ronan and co chasing down Maximus who has betrayed them yet again and been revealed as the orchestrator of the Alpha Primitive rebellion. Toward the end of the issue they corner him and it's revealed that Queen Medusa herself had been the one ordering him around.
Could she be a Fault-controlled being? Who knows? With one issue to go, I don't understand nor see how they could possibly connect it to everything else, but we'll see.
Of the two miniseries, this is the one with the least focus. I've stopped reading Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy, though. I can't be missing much as there're only a couple of issues of those left that can be considered tie-ins.
I very much look forward to Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 of 5, but aside from that. I really can't recommend this. The first half of this arc was good, but then...I don't know what happened. It has dissolved.
Dark Wolverine #83.
This is a bit of a weird issue.
After revealing that the Asgardian Fates had dubbed Daken the bringer of Ragnarok (The cycle that ends Asgard and rebirths it again), we saw him kill Norman Osborn. Naturally, it wasn't real and had to be revealed as a daydream in this issue.
We see the Fates continually courting Daken and getting rebuffed for their troubles. They seem certain that Daken is the one for the job, and it's only when they explain things that it gets interesting. You see, Thor ended the Ragnarok cycle and this caused the Fates to be cut from Asgard and somewhat bound to Earth (Best I could tell, anyway). The Fates cannot handle this, they consider it unnatural and explain that Ragnarok MUST occur as it's a natural cycle. Daken, confused, asks what the Hell this has to do with him and, while not totally explained, it's revealed that the circumstances of Ragnarok have changed.
It used to be that Ragnarok could only be brought about by a certain kind of person, but now Daken is somehow eligible. He says he's in, but on his terms and shakes himself out of the hallucination, just in time to get fried by an off-panel Thor (See Siege #2).
The Fates begin plotting their next move with regards to manipulating Daken as the issue ends.
I think Daniel Way meant to hint to a lot of things in this issue, but failed to do so clearly enough. The result is a reasonably odd issue that neither asks nor answers questions. It isn't revealed how Daken is meant to be involved at all, which is expected, but I thought it'd be hinted at a lot more.
I'm curious, so I'll keep reading. I doubt Dark Wolverine is going to have a massive Siege revelation in it, though. I'm sure that'd only ever happen in a Bendis title.
Thor #607.
Now, this is such a nice issue even if Thor isn't in it.
Throughout the issue, multiple things happen that spell quite epic consequences for all involved.
Asgardian hobo, Knut, begins running around prophesising that Asgard will not survive the night, which ends with Loki murdering him after confirming that what he is saying is true, all following a typical scene whereby he is dismissed as a crazy old man by King Balder. This is compounded by the fact that Heimdall contradicts him and says that there IS no threat coming, that he would have seen it if it were true.
The very next morning we see the Siege of Asgard begin (I guess this is where Thor's series catches up). Volstagg, currently held in a jailcell (Willingly), is released by the two jailers so that he can go and defend his home. He vows to return and honour the justice he is served as soon as things are settled, but not before he uses a broadcasting system to plead his case and reveal that he was provoked.
Loki traps Heimdall in some kind of room and tells him that trying to escape will mean his own death. He isn't capable of escaping in this issue, but we must assume he does since he is the one who explains things to Ares.
The issue ends with Volstagg on his way to Asgard as Thor seemingly flies down to greet him, old costume and all. With great vengeance, Thor begins attacking Volstagg, revealing himself to be none other than Ragnarok, the Thor clone from Civil War!
I'm very glad they brought Ragnarok back, simply because I want Thor to smash him into oblivion. Thor is definitely the most effective Siege tie-in right now, seeing as it's the source of the battle.
If you do want to get into Siege but don't want all the tie-ins, Thor #607 is a good issue to pick up. The art is phenomenal, courtesy of Billy Tan, and Kieron Gillen's dialogue gives the Asgardians a robust and potent aura. I'm enjoying this series thoroughly.
The New Avengers #62.
This issue is set before/during Siege.
Following on from the battles in the previous issue, we see Spidey fighting for his life against a Mandrill-hypnotised Spider-Woman. He takes a fairly hefty beating without fighting back before he manages to shake her out of it and the two of them team up. Griffin and Mandrill don't really stand much of a chance against the two and the focus of the issue quickly shifts to the Living Laser Vs Steve and Bucky.
Steve, using the diplomatic approach, tries to reason with the guy but ultimately fails. The coolest moment comes when he tells Laser to walk away and change his life or else. Laser's all like: "...or else what?", "...or else Luke Cage will punch your head off your body.". Something to that degree. Luke Cage then appears and deals Laser and ALMIGHTY uppercut. Such a badass, and a badass entrance.
Bucky overloads him with a stray electrical wire and knocks him out of commission. There's a really, REALLY touching moment at the end of this battle as Luke Cage realises Steve is back. They embrace and it's the first real time you see someone affected by his return. Before they can share pleasantries, Nick Fury and his Secret Warriors appear on a rooftop opposite with rifles aimed directly at them. Convinced they are who they say they are, Nick Fury and his crew follow the three of them back to the area we saw them gathered in during Siege #2.
Upon Steve returning to the base, he meets the assorted Avengers teams for the first time since being back and again, it's a really touching scene. The look on all of their faces, Ms. Marvel especially, is priceless. Luke Cage has the line of the issue, though: "I went to the Living Legends store and this is all they had left.".
Another really cool piece of dialogue is dropped when Spidey and Spider-Woman show up. Spidey says that they wouldn't believe the night they had, but before he can finish his line he sees Fury and Steve together and says: "Ok, you guys clearly had a crazier night.". They gather around to see Thor getting decimated on TV (See Siege #1), to which Steve says something needs to be done (Leading into the planning stage from Siege #2 I guess). Bucky and Fury state that they don't have nearly enough manpower to go up against Osborn, but Steve says it'll have to be.
With the immortal line of "Avengers Assemble!", Steve inspires the group and the issue ends.
I cannot get enough of this team. By "This team" I mean Bendis and Immonen. Stuart Immonen has long proven that he is one of the world's premier comic artists, man. The dude can draw like a motherfucker. Bendis isn't perfect, but when he gets his shit right, he gets his shit RIGHT. The dialogue in this issue, as with most of his latter-Dark Reign and Siege work, is as on point as it needs to be and really does convey a great sense of character understanding and situational gravity.
It feels like they're preparing for a war. Hopefully the relevant tie-ins will have caught up to Siege in time as it's a bit weird reading stuff as if it's happening before Siege. Besides that, which isn't really a negative, I have nothing bad to say.
The Siege tie-ins are not spectacular, they've actually been kinda mediocre up until Thor #607 and this issue. As single comics, they are doing a very good job, though. Again, if anyone wants to get into Siege I have an entire read-order ready for anyone who needs it. it tells you what comics you need to buy and in what order. Don't hesitate to let me know!
---
I was going to review Nation X #3 of 4, but it's so fucking shit that I really can't be bothered.
I definitely want to start putting at least one post between editions of Thursday's Comics, but the past two weeks have caused me to be a bit scatterbrained. I'll definitely start doing other posts with the same regularity as I do Thursday's Comics, though. I'm not sure what they'll be, but I'm SURE I'll think of something.
That's all I've got for you today, but keep your eyes glued to this blog! Bookmark me, RSS me or do whatever makes you feel good, because you never know what I might post next! I am very sneaky.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
I guess that intro loses potency when done without wearing a Kool-Aid Guy outfit.
Regardless, welcome to another fine edition of Thursday's Comics! I am your host, The Mast. You should know that by now.
I want to start this weeks post by gloating about a few gems I recently picked up! Last week I got my hands on THIS bad boy: The Daredevil #505 Deadpool variant.
It's special because it's a parody/edit of Daredevil #187, as I've said before. That comic is special because it's the first Daredevil comic I ever read, so to have a Deadpool variant of Daredevil (My two favs) that happens to be a mock-up of my first Daredevil comic? Pretty special. I want to give special thanks to Mr. Alex...well, just Alex, of Comicana Comics for providing me with this gem for a stupidly reasonable price. Someone actually wanted to charge me £25 more than what I paid, so major thanks to him for that.
I also want to thank Alex for providing me with this: The Fantastic Four #576 Deadpool variant.
I think it's hilarious, totally Deadpool and thus, essential. I don't have it NOW, unfortunately. I have to go back next week to get it, but he's putting it aside for me.
Comicana and Gosh (My main sources of comicy goodness) BOTH happen to be void of websites, so if you want anything ordered, get in touch with me or Google the number/email address of the respective places. Between those two stores and the really awesome staff that work there (In Comicana's case, just Alex. He's a trooper!), there's nothing you'll really be left wanting for. As soon as either of these establishments have an internet place of purchase, you'll see me spam the links here.
Alex has a knack for making people spend money...it's like a sickness, so watch out.
With all that apple-polishing out of the way, let's get to why all seven of you are here (I totally must have more than seven regulars by), to read comic stuff!
Deadpool #20.
Ehh.
The interaction between Spider-Man and Deadpool is solid in this issue, as it was in the issue before, but something just...lacks. I'm so glad that Way seems to have ditched Pool-o-Vision and seems to be cutting back on the two-voices thing, too. That's always a good thing.
The whole issue revolves around Deadpool and Spidey trying to figure out how to deal with Hit-Monkey and his impending assassination attempt on our favourite 4th wall-breaking mercenary. There's one scene where Deadpool shows up in a dress...which was so unnecessary that it made me sick. Like Deadpool isn't portrayed as enough of a joke nowadays, they gotta put him in a dress.
I must admit, the first time they encounter Hit-Monkey is amusing; Spidey theorises that if he can't kill Deadpool then Deadpool can just let himself get shot and then heal, derived from the fact that Hit-Monkey isn't aware Deadpool can heal. Spidey then stands up and just gives Deadpool's hiding place away, thus causing him to get peppered with bullets.
Regardless, it's hard to like or dislike this issue because NOTHING HAPPENS. It honestly feels like absolutely nothing happens at all. There's a subplot involving some corrupt cops who are quickly assassinated by Hit-Monkey...so that was pointless. The issue ends with Hit-Monkey attempting to make amends with Spider-Man after attacking him, but Deadpool mistakes it for an attack and engages Hit-Monkey. The final page shows Deadpool getting pumped full of bullets.
I don't know where this is going, it frustrates me. I wish there was some kind of cohesion between his comics, I really do. During his first main on-going series, it honestly felt like each comic had a purpose. The filler issues at LEAST felt solid. Now it feels like hardly anything's going on. These last two issues have been improvements, but it's gonna take something good to dig it out of the hole it has been in since #12.
I can't say I'd recommend this series right now. Get #1 to #12 and then don't bother with any of them until there's a better arc.
I do love the art, though. Chunky and nice, I dig.
Realm of Kings: Inhumans #4 of 5.
So frustrating, I swear to god.
Realm of Kings is truly suffering without a main serious, I feel. I can only hope that somewhere and somehow things end up relating to everything else. Let me clarify that point...
In the one-shot you had all this horrifying shit revealed and things seemed like they would blow up, big time. Then...never heard of again. Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard is doing well, but that's because it has characters I like and contains actual creatures from The Fault. Realm of Kings: Inhumans has gone four issues without really revealing how or why The Fault is connected.
The loose connection of Black Bolt is running through the issues, this one included. Triton and Ra-Venn continue their research within The Fault and come to the conclusion that they can't tell Queen Medusa of their discovery. The reason for this is that they don't want her to get her hopes up of Black Bolt being alive. They agree that if there's some kind of ghost in The Fault, that Black Bolt himself might be, but don't feel that telling her is a viable option yet.
Mainly, though, the story consists of Ronan and co chasing down Maximus who has betrayed them yet again and been revealed as the orchestrator of the Alpha Primitive rebellion. Toward the end of the issue they corner him and it's revealed that Queen Medusa herself had been the one ordering him around.
Could she be a Fault-controlled being? Who knows? With one issue to go, I don't understand nor see how they could possibly connect it to everything else, but we'll see.
Of the two miniseries, this is the one with the least focus. I've stopped reading Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy, though. I can't be missing much as there're only a couple of issues of those left that can be considered tie-ins.
I very much look forward to Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 of 5, but aside from that. I really can't recommend this. The first half of this arc was good, but then...I don't know what happened. It has dissolved.
Dark Wolverine #83.
This is a bit of a weird issue.
After revealing that the Asgardian Fates had dubbed Daken the bringer of Ragnarok (The cycle that ends Asgard and rebirths it again), we saw him kill Norman Osborn. Naturally, it wasn't real and had to be revealed as a daydream in this issue.
We see the Fates continually courting Daken and getting rebuffed for their troubles. They seem certain that Daken is the one for the job, and it's only when they explain things that it gets interesting. You see, Thor ended the Ragnarok cycle and this caused the Fates to be cut from Asgard and somewhat bound to Earth (Best I could tell, anyway). The Fates cannot handle this, they consider it unnatural and explain that Ragnarok MUST occur as it's a natural cycle. Daken, confused, asks what the Hell this has to do with him and, while not totally explained, it's revealed that the circumstances of Ragnarok have changed.
It used to be that Ragnarok could only be brought about by a certain kind of person, but now Daken is somehow eligible. He says he's in, but on his terms and shakes himself out of the hallucination, just in time to get fried by an off-panel Thor (See Siege #2).
The Fates begin plotting their next move with regards to manipulating Daken as the issue ends.
I think Daniel Way meant to hint to a lot of things in this issue, but failed to do so clearly enough. The result is a reasonably odd issue that neither asks nor answers questions. It isn't revealed how Daken is meant to be involved at all, which is expected, but I thought it'd be hinted at a lot more.
I'm curious, so I'll keep reading. I doubt Dark Wolverine is going to have a massive Siege revelation in it, though. I'm sure that'd only ever happen in a Bendis title.
Thor #607.
Now, this is such a nice issue even if Thor isn't in it.
Throughout the issue, multiple things happen that spell quite epic consequences for all involved.
Asgardian hobo, Knut, begins running around prophesising that Asgard will not survive the night, which ends with Loki murdering him after confirming that what he is saying is true, all following a typical scene whereby he is dismissed as a crazy old man by King Balder. This is compounded by the fact that Heimdall contradicts him and says that there IS no threat coming, that he would have seen it if it were true.
The very next morning we see the Siege of Asgard begin (I guess this is where Thor's series catches up). Volstagg, currently held in a jailcell (Willingly), is released by the two jailers so that he can go and defend his home. He vows to return and honour the justice he is served as soon as things are settled, but not before he uses a broadcasting system to plead his case and reveal that he was provoked.
Loki traps Heimdall in some kind of room and tells him that trying to escape will mean his own death. He isn't capable of escaping in this issue, but we must assume he does since he is the one who explains things to Ares.
The issue ends with Volstagg on his way to Asgard as Thor seemingly flies down to greet him, old costume and all. With great vengeance, Thor begins attacking Volstagg, revealing himself to be none other than Ragnarok, the Thor clone from Civil War!
I'm very glad they brought Ragnarok back, simply because I want Thor to smash him into oblivion. Thor is definitely the most effective Siege tie-in right now, seeing as it's the source of the battle.
If you do want to get into Siege but don't want all the tie-ins, Thor #607 is a good issue to pick up. The art is phenomenal, courtesy of Billy Tan, and Kieron Gillen's dialogue gives the Asgardians a robust and potent aura. I'm enjoying this series thoroughly.
The New Avengers #62.
This issue is set before/during Siege.
Following on from the battles in the previous issue, we see Spidey fighting for his life against a Mandrill-hypnotised Spider-Woman. He takes a fairly hefty beating without fighting back before he manages to shake her out of it and the two of them team up. Griffin and Mandrill don't really stand much of a chance against the two and the focus of the issue quickly shifts to the Living Laser Vs Steve and Bucky.
Steve, using the diplomatic approach, tries to reason with the guy but ultimately fails. The coolest moment comes when he tells Laser to walk away and change his life or else. Laser's all like: "...or else what?", "...or else Luke Cage will punch your head off your body.". Something to that degree. Luke Cage then appears and deals Laser and ALMIGHTY uppercut. Such a badass, and a badass entrance.
Bucky overloads him with a stray electrical wire and knocks him out of commission. There's a really, REALLY touching moment at the end of this battle as Luke Cage realises Steve is back. They embrace and it's the first real time you see someone affected by his return. Before they can share pleasantries, Nick Fury and his Secret Warriors appear on a rooftop opposite with rifles aimed directly at them. Convinced they are who they say they are, Nick Fury and his crew follow the three of them back to the area we saw them gathered in during Siege #2.
Upon Steve returning to the base, he meets the assorted Avengers teams for the first time since being back and again, it's a really touching scene. The look on all of their faces, Ms. Marvel especially, is priceless. Luke Cage has the line of the issue, though: "I went to the Living Legends store and this is all they had left.".
Another really cool piece of dialogue is dropped when Spidey and Spider-Woman show up. Spidey says that they wouldn't believe the night they had, but before he can finish his line he sees Fury and Steve together and says: "Ok, you guys clearly had a crazier night.". They gather around to see Thor getting decimated on TV (See Siege #1), to which Steve says something needs to be done (Leading into the planning stage from Siege #2 I guess). Bucky and Fury state that they don't have nearly enough manpower to go up against Osborn, but Steve says it'll have to be.
With the immortal line of "Avengers Assemble!", Steve inspires the group and the issue ends.
I cannot get enough of this team. By "This team" I mean Bendis and Immonen. Stuart Immonen has long proven that he is one of the world's premier comic artists, man. The dude can draw like a motherfucker. Bendis isn't perfect, but when he gets his shit right, he gets his shit RIGHT. The dialogue in this issue, as with most of his latter-Dark Reign and Siege work, is as on point as it needs to be and really does convey a great sense of character understanding and situational gravity.
It feels like they're preparing for a war. Hopefully the relevant tie-ins will have caught up to Siege in time as it's a bit weird reading stuff as if it's happening before Siege. Besides that, which isn't really a negative, I have nothing bad to say.
The Siege tie-ins are not spectacular, they've actually been kinda mediocre up until Thor #607 and this issue. As single comics, they are doing a very good job, though. Again, if anyone wants to get into Siege I have an entire read-order ready for anyone who needs it. it tells you what comics you need to buy and in what order. Don't hesitate to let me know!
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I was going to review Nation X #3 of 4, but it's so fucking shit that I really can't be bothered.
I definitely want to start putting at least one post between editions of Thursday's Comics, but the past two weeks have caused me to be a bit scatterbrained. I'll definitely start doing other posts with the same regularity as I do Thursday's Comics, though. I'm not sure what they'll be, but I'm SURE I'll think of something.
That's all I've got for you today, but keep your eyes glued to this blog! Bookmark me, RSS me or do whatever makes you feel good, because you never know what I might post next! I am very sneaky.
Until next time, peace.
-The Mast
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