I'm back again. Remind me not to get involved in an RO this time.
Black Panther #2 - The issue itself is more of a filler, trying to get things set up for the rest of the story line. It isn't nearly as effective as the first issue. As such, the random feeling fight scene left me wanting more. Also, the complete lack of explanation regarding the body-snatching baddie is inexcusable, since he has been in both issues.
Cable & Deadpool #13 - New story arc, so it's a good time for newcomers. Nicieza's portrayal of Deadpool's character is grade A, with the fourth wall pushing only adding to my giggles. I saw the cliff-hanger coming, but the conclusion should still prove interesting.
Captain America #4 - The relaunch of this title brought all the preconceptions crashing down. With the Red Skull dead at the end of the first issue, Cap appears to be at the mercy of some new threat. The altered past is intriguing, and Epting's art is breath-taking in its realism. I'll wait for this arc to conslude before I give final word, but I would definitely suggest considering picking up the trade when it comes out.
Age of Apocalypse #3 of 6 - I was always intrigued by the AoA off-shoot ten years ago, but I was too young to keep up with it then. This 10th anniversary special is giving me a chance to live that wonder myself. The reimaginging of characters I recognize from the pages of the mainstream titles is wonderful, and the anime-ish art appeals to my tastes. I just hope it keeps up it's attraction through the end.
Ultimate X-Men #57 - This story arc, "The Most Dangerous Game," has given so many reincarnations of classic X-Men scenarios that I can hardly give it enough kudos. I was at first taken aback by the appearance of such characters as Mojo, Longshot, and Spiral, but the twist ending left me quite satisfied. I await the next arc with much anticipation.
Uncanny X-Men #457 - My glowing praise skips a generation. Chris Claremont is quickly dropping in my list of preffered writers. His completely random and, at presesnt, botched resurrection of Psylocke gave me a bad feeling about this arc from the start. With Storm's team now in the Savage Land, a tired, overused plot device, and Marvel Girl (Rachel Summers) brainwashed by evolved dinosaurs, I want to send Molotov cocktails in envelopes to Marvel for letting him do this. Plus, Davis's art is horrendous, with his faces looking like they belong on Down's Syndrome patients. The only saving grace is X-23 since Wolverine has been MIA since the first issue of the arc. Uncanny needs a quick jolt to bring it back to life. Stat.
Wolverine #26 - Now, back to the good comics. The last story arc involved Wolverine being brainwashed by Hydra and the Hand, and going on a killing spree throughout the Marvel universe. Now Elektra is back in the Hand's...um, hands, and SHIELD is doing their damndest to undo Wolverine's Hydra training. Millar's writing is glorious, and it is my opinion that Romita, Jr. is one of the greatest artists to ever put pen to Wolverine's paper. The willingness to tear the X-Men's sense of in-family safety asunder was genius. Only good things can happen here.
Ultimate X-Men trade paperback #1 - I only started reading Ultimate X-Men regularly with #50. Since I have a strange obsession with always buying a trade when I pick up my comics, I've decided to make the entire Ultimate X-Men collection my next endeavor (I've already gotten the entire New X-Men, Incredible Hulk, Transmetropolitan collections, and more I don't feel like typing out). Remember how much I loved Millar's writing in Wolverine? Ultimate X-Men is almost as good. Even though, as far as I know, it was Marvel's decision to start with a bang, and have no backstory, I still think Millar could have set it up a little better. Besides that, the ferocity of the character's personalities leaves me feeling as if they are real people. Adam Kubert's art is a nice addition, but you can tell where he got lazy and threw a quick face on here and there. All in all, I know Ultimate X-Men is a great title, and I don't mind spending my money on the trades one bit. You shouldn't , either.
That's all for today, kids. New comics are out tomorrow (I was in Mississippi last Wednesday), so I should have the next review thread up within the next few days.
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