Secret Wars (2015) [Marvel]
- Thread starter The Twilight Mexican
- Start date
The Twilight Mexican
Ex-SeeD-ingly good
- AKA
- TresDias
]As for "Renew Your Vows," I thought this was a great start. Yeah,
one gets the impression here so far that it's setting up the point that "One More Day" had to happen or it would have led to this, but there's still plenty of story left to see if more important points are waiting to be made.
And to be honest, something like this probably would have happened. I still don't think OMD was necessary, but Pete couldn't have kept on as he did without something like this happening. How many times did the people close to him already end up in danger before? He would have had to kill a villain to protect his family at some point, and they would have needed to move in under the protection of the Avengers. Honestly, they should have done that years ago.
The story being presented here just combines two really shitty scenarios into a single night: Spidey had to kill a villain to protect his family and the Avengers got killed (as did everyone else who may have given him backup). It's plausible that he would stop being Spidey for a while after either of those happening. After both? Plausible that he would quit indefinitely.
Maybe it's just seeing Pete and MJ together that has me so okay with this book so far, but as of right now, I'm loving it and excited for the next issue.
Oh, and I loved that MJ played an active role in taking Venom out.
And to be honest, something like this probably would have happened. I still don't think OMD was necessary, but Pete couldn't have kept on as he did without something like this happening. How many times did the people close to him already end up in danger before? He would have had to kill a villain to protect his family at some point, and they would have needed to move in under the protection of the Avengers. Honestly, they should have done that years ago.
The story being presented here just combines two really shitty scenarios into a single night: Spidey had to kill a villain to protect his family and the Avengers got killed (as did everyone else who may have given him backup). It's plausible that he would stop being Spidey for a while after either of those happening. After both? Plausible that he would quit indefinitely.
Maybe it's just seeing Pete and MJ together that has me so okay with this book so far, but as of right now, I'm loving it and excited for the next issue.
Oh, and I loved that MJ played an active role in taking Venom out.
Last edited:
Tennyo
Higher Further Faster
The thing is, though, is that in the main Amazing Spider-Man comic,
We had that!
We had Peter as an Avenger living in Avenger's Tower with MJ and Aunt May.
Even after he joined the anti-registration side it's not like he didn't have options. He was hiding in Dr. Strange's house, they had Iron Fist who is also rich. He had options. But One More Day got in the way of all that.
Here we got a Peter who is still stuck working for the Bugle and has never even revealed his identity to any of the Avengers. It's like he took a step backward but was just given a baby instead.
That's why I'm holding out, though. I feel we've already been shown in the past that it CAN work, so I'm hoping Slott, or someone who may be higher up in the chain and dictating he do this, isn't using this to sway us.
We had Peter as an Avenger living in Avenger's Tower with MJ and Aunt May.
Even after he joined the anti-registration side it's not like he didn't have options. He was hiding in Dr. Strange's house, they had Iron Fist who is also rich. He had options. But One More Day got in the way of all that.
Here we got a Peter who is still stuck working for the Bugle and has never even revealed his identity to any of the Avengers. It's like he took a step backward but was just given a baby instead.
That's why I'm holding out, though. I feel we've already been shown in the past that it CAN work, so I'm hoping Slott, or someone who may be higher up in the chain and dictating he do this, isn't using this to sway us.
The Twilight Mexican
Ex-SeeD-ingly good
- AKA
- TresDias
A bit late, but --
Weirdworld #1 (by Jason Aaron and Mike del Mundo): Pretty fun. Fairly standard sword & sorcery fare so far, but that's what you're hoping for if you bought this. It's an imaginative, wild ride that doesn't slow down for long this entire first issue, and worth a look if you were ever a fan of Conan and the like.
Also, the artwork is beautiful.
Secret Wars Journal #2 (first story by Kevin Maurer and Cory Smith; second by Simon Spurrier and Jonathan Marks): The Killville story is high-octane insanity, and good fun. It doesn't make me any more interested in trying "M.O.D.O.K.: Assassin," also set in Killville, but it works well as a standalone story and probably tells us everything we need to know about this shithole domain of Battleworld.
The Bar Sinister story is just plain fucked up. I predicted exactly what would happen, but I don't know if that comes from knowing Mr. Sinister, knowing Si Spurrier's writing, or just being able to imagine fucked up things too well. Whatever the case, a great showcase for this Mr. Sinister's depravity; more so than "Secret Wars" #2, actually.
Weirdworld #1 (by Jason Aaron and Mike del Mundo): Pretty fun. Fairly standard sword & sorcery fare so far, but that's what you're hoping for if you bought this. It's an imaginative, wild ride that doesn't slow down for long this entire first issue, and worth a look if you were ever a fan of Conan and the like.
Also, the artwork is beautiful.
Secret Wars Journal #2 (first story by Kevin Maurer and Cory Smith; second by Simon Spurrier and Jonathan Marks): The Killville story is high-octane insanity, and good fun. It doesn't make me any more interested in trying "M.O.D.O.K.: Assassin," also set in Killville, but it works well as a standalone story and probably tells us everything we need to know about this shithole domain of Battleworld.
The Bar Sinister story is just plain fucked up. I predicted exactly what would happen, but I don't know if that comes from knowing Mr. Sinister, knowing Si Spurrier's writing, or just being able to imagine fucked up things too well. Whatever the case, a great showcase for this Mr. Sinister's depravity; more so than "Secret Wars" #2, actually.
The Twilight Mexican
Ex-SeeD-ingly good
- AKA
- TresDias
X-SOLDIER
Harbinger O Great Justice
- AKA
- X
K, gonna read the last 4 relevant comics from this week tonight, and I'll make my huge post about ALL THE THINGS sometime tomorrow, since things seem to be relatively relaxed at my work right now.
It'll be about all of these, so let me know if I somehow missed something that came out, and/or if you want to know extra about anything in particular. (I'm gonna focus mainly on the issue #1's, since those'll let you know if you want to check them out. Also, a couple of them I was iffy about at issue #1, got really good with issue #2, soooo.... I'll make some note about that, too).
• 1602: Witch Hunter Angela #1
• Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1
• Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps #1
• Future Imperfect #1
• Ghost Racers #1
• Giant-Size Little Marvel: AvX #1
• Marvel Zombies #1
• Mrs. Deadpool and the Howling Commandos #1
• Runaways #1
• Squadron Sinister #1
• Thors #1
• X-Tinction Agenda #1
• Years of Future Past #1
• Weirdworld #1
• Armor Wars #1 & #2
• Inferno #2
• Inhumans: Attilan Rising #2
• Master of Kung Fu #2
• Old Man Logan #2
• Secret Wars: Battleworld #2
• Secret Wars Journal #2
• Secret Wars 2099 #2
• Spider-Verse #2
• Ultimate End #2
• X-Men '92 #2
• Secret Wars #3
...holy shit, that is a lot of comics to write about.
I didn't really think about it until I just finished getting all the names out just now.
X
It'll be about all of these, so let me know if I somehow missed something that came out, and/or if you want to know extra about anything in particular. (I'm gonna focus mainly on the issue #1's, since those'll let you know if you want to check them out. Also, a couple of them I was iffy about at issue #1, got really good with issue #2, soooo.... I'll make some note about that, too).
• 1602: Witch Hunter Angela #1
• Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1
• Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps #1
• Future Imperfect #1
• Ghost Racers #1
• Giant-Size Little Marvel: AvX #1
• Marvel Zombies #1
• Mrs. Deadpool and the Howling Commandos #1
• Runaways #1
• Squadron Sinister #1
• Thors #1
• X-Tinction Agenda #1
• Years of Future Past #1
• Weirdworld #1
• Armor Wars #1 & #2
• Inferno #2
• Inhumans: Attilan Rising #2
• Master of Kung Fu #2
• Old Man Logan #2
• Secret Wars: Battleworld #2
• Secret Wars Journal #2
• Secret Wars 2099 #2
• Spider-Verse #2
• Ultimate End #2
• X-Men '92 #2
• Secret Wars #3
...holy shit, that is a lot of comics to write about.
I didn't really think about it until I just finished getting all the names out just now.
X
X-SOLDIER
Harbinger O Great Justice
- AKA
- X
ISSUE NUMBER ONES
• 1602: Witch Hunter Angela #1
So, the introductory section's art bugs the everliving hell out of me. The art from page 9 onwards is immaculate though, and hopefully all of the comic will stay like this. Despite not being a fan of the Shakespearian era, I'm enjoying the comic. I like the term witchbreeds for the mutants as a way to paint the conflict. Overall, Secret Wars is doing a really good job of maintaining the anti-mutant prejudice in most places, and this is no exception. It's also a good continuation of the trajectory from the previous Angela comic with the Battleworld twist.
• Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1
It's an interesting twist on the general trope of Why Peter Parker can't have nice things, and I think that the main world it's set in with Regent could be interesting. So far it at least makes it stand out in the Battleworld locations beyond whatever they're doing with it beyond that. I can't tell if it's gonna be trolling the Spidey fans or not, but I know that they can't not read it.
• Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps #1
This comic flat out kicks ass. It's especially a big deal if you're following the main Secret Wars story arcs. I can't think of any good reason not to read this.
• Future Imperfect #1
Love the art, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Seeing a dystopian setting with a resistance against Maestro was really neat, though I'm still hoping to find out if this has any connection to the setup of the Maestro that we met in 2099. Also Ruby Summers's a badass.
• Ghost Racers #1
This is coming mostly from All-New Ghost Rider, but it's got a little bit of a connection to the larger Secret Wars being set in Doomstadt. If you're into this, Thors & Attilan Rising have a couple bits that deal with some Ghost Riders that might also be worth at least checking out the first issues of.
• Giant-Size Little Marvel: AvX #1
Skottie Young knows how to have fun and keep things funny but not make the comic itself into a gag that overstays its welcome. If you dig his stuff, you'll love it.
• Marvel Zombies #1
So, the start of this put me off a bit, 'cause I wasn't into the main character (I think some anime fans might dig her), but I'll be damned if the whole rest of the comic didn't manage to swing me right 'round to being hooked. It's a good one to look at if you're curious about what goes down at The Shield for the main Secret Wars stuff.
• Mrs. Deadpool and the Howling Commandos #1
Typical Deadpool comic with a bit of a horror movie twist. If that's your speed, you'll probably dig it. I can't get 'round to the Deadpool's overly self aware and reading to the audience stuff myself, but if it's your thing, you'll like it.
• Runaways #1
So, this is a NECESSITY for the Secret Wars fans and another piece that takes place 'round Doomstadt. There're interesting twists on lots of the characters, and seeing where they're from might encourage you to check out those places. The only thing that feels maybe a tiny bit odd is the number of mutants there despite the heavilty anti-mutant sentiment, but I think that the end of the issue might level that out a bit. We'll see. It's VERY high-school-drama-like, but I enjoyed it despite that.
• Squadron Sinister #1
A whole world of evil, totally-not-DC-Universe-characters. I'm more interested in this comic from the Secret Wars perspective, because they're annexing territories, and especially given how close Utopolis is to the Thor Corps & Doomstadt, I'm really curious to see how shit goes down there when it inevitably does.
• Thors #1
Cop drama with a twist. Seeing all the Thors is really interesting, and of utmost importance if Secret Wars stuff is your thing. Reading A-Force and Captain Marvel & the Carol Corps will also give you a better sense of what the Thors are like, but meeting them and seeing how they all work is really damn cool. Also, if you'd been reading Thor this is a good comic for you.
• Weirdworld #1
I didn't expect to love this comic as much as I did, but the first issue hooked me completely. It's especially interesting as both Squadron Sinister & Thors make some mention/interaction of the area. I've absolutely no idea where it's going, but given the end of the comic, I'm very, VERY interested in more.
• X-Tinction Agenda #1
Do the ends justify the means? It's got a similar feel to All-New X-Factor with the art and the little team of outliers. It's also got a really good hook into Doomstadt with the mutant prejudice and is a good title for the bigger picture Secret Wars stuff, especially looking at a realm's internal politics reaching upwards.
• Years of Future Past #1
It has a standard classic X-Men feel to it (and like Old Man Logan #2 also features Wolverine fighting a tiger). It seems like the story here will be fun, comfortable stuff for old X-Men fans.
• Armor Wars #1 & #2
Armor Wars is perhaps one of the more interesting realms, and I liked it a lot, despite not being big on Tony Stark. It has a tiny bit of a 2099 feel, but all the elements at play here really make this one stand out in a struggle that's really interesting and manages to sink its hooks into you even farther by issue 2.
ISSUE NUMBER TWO+
• Inferno #2 ***
This took my acceptance but hesitance about this comic and tossed it away. After seeing more of what's up with the schism between the Pryor's and the Summers' rule and fleshing out the world more, I'm absolutely loving this. The ending is quite the development as well.
• Inhumans: Attilan Rising #2
Still sticking HARD to the important Secret Wars stuff, I'm loving the characters, and I have no clue where this one will end up. Also, there's a possibility that we'll get some Ms. Marvel stuff out of it.
• Master of Kung Fu #2 ***
This one took my hesitance from before, and got me properly interested in it, and I gave it a second shot, because of how much seeing more of the world with Inferno #2 made me like it. Still the magical Kung Fu jam as before, but quite good.
• Old Man Logan #2
Interesting to see how Logan moves from the Wasteland into _____, and this one looks like it'll probably be doing a sort of visual Cliff Notes to the Secret Wars setting/rules, so it might be a little confusing if you don't know the rules. It's also interesting seeing how things are dealt differently between this and A-Force, which I'm hoping to get more information on. (Though, if I was a gamblin' man
).
• Secret Wars: Battleworld #2
The first bit is all comedy fun with Blade & Howard. The second one is a MUST read if you're doing Ghost Riders. Again, this is mostly a taste of the various things in Secret Wars' realms.
• Secret Wars Journal #2
More Killville, which is good background if you're into MODOK Assassin, but the second one is really intense stuff on Bar Sinister. Holy shit.
• Secret Wars 2099 #2
Still more of the same with this, and loving its development as a real plot starts to slowly piece itself together.
• Spider-Verse #2
More really cool stuff with the various Spideys, and I love seeing them portrayed well and uniquely, and the bunch they've got together are pretty much perfect in that respect. Also, I'm REALLY hoping for SP//dr to show up at some point, because there was a Capsule Corp easter egg this issue, and hers was the only comic that made anime/manga references like that in the background.
• Ultimate End #2
This is really just a "Last Days" comic that couldn't fit into the continuity, so they gave them another avenue for doing it, and so long as you accept that for what it is (despite the fact that it'll make Tres and I want to throw tables), it's interesting to see both sides meeting like this, without the "Holy fuck we're all dying right now, fuck everything" that actually happened with the incursion event.
• X-Men '92 #2
Yup. This is still pure nostalgia fuel, and succeeding on every level at it.
• Secret Wars #3
This issue was fucking great. Go read it. If you are, we should tl;dr about it.
Sooooo, yeah. All of that.
Questions/Comments/etc. plox fgj?
X
• 1602: Witch Hunter Angela #1
So, the introductory section's art bugs the everliving hell out of me. The art from page 9 onwards is immaculate though, and hopefully all of the comic will stay like this. Despite not being a fan of the Shakespearian era, I'm enjoying the comic. I like the term witchbreeds for the mutants as a way to paint the conflict. Overall, Secret Wars is doing a really good job of maintaining the anti-mutant prejudice in most places, and this is no exception. It's also a good continuation of the trajectory from the previous Angela comic with the Battleworld twist.
• Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1
It's an interesting twist on the general trope of Why Peter Parker can't have nice things, and I think that the main world it's set in with Regent could be interesting. So far it at least makes it stand out in the Battleworld locations beyond whatever they're doing with it beyond that. I can't tell if it's gonna be trolling the Spidey fans or not, but I know that they can't not read it.
• Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps #1
This comic flat out kicks ass. It's especially a big deal if you're following the main Secret Wars story arcs. I can't think of any good reason not to read this.
• Future Imperfect #1
Love the art, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Seeing a dystopian setting with a resistance against Maestro was really neat, though I'm still hoping to find out if this has any connection to the setup of the Maestro that we met in 2099. Also Ruby Summers's a badass.
• Ghost Racers #1
This is coming mostly from All-New Ghost Rider, but it's got a little bit of a connection to the larger Secret Wars being set in Doomstadt. If you're into this, Thors & Attilan Rising have a couple bits that deal with some Ghost Riders that might also be worth at least checking out the first issues of.
• Giant-Size Little Marvel: AvX #1
Skottie Young knows how to have fun and keep things funny but not make the comic itself into a gag that overstays its welcome. If you dig his stuff, you'll love it.
• Marvel Zombies #1
So, the start of this put me off a bit, 'cause I wasn't into the main character (I think some anime fans might dig her), but I'll be damned if the whole rest of the comic didn't manage to swing me right 'round to being hooked. It's a good one to look at if you're curious about what goes down at The Shield for the main Secret Wars stuff.
• Mrs. Deadpool and the Howling Commandos #1
Typical Deadpool comic with a bit of a horror movie twist. If that's your speed, you'll probably dig it. I can't get 'round to the Deadpool's overly self aware and reading to the audience stuff myself, but if it's your thing, you'll like it.
• Runaways #1
So, this is a NECESSITY for the Secret Wars fans and another piece that takes place 'round Doomstadt. There're interesting twists on lots of the characters, and seeing where they're from might encourage you to check out those places. The only thing that feels maybe a tiny bit odd is the number of mutants there despite the heavilty anti-mutant sentiment, but I think that the end of the issue might level that out a bit. We'll see. It's VERY high-school-drama-like, but I enjoyed it despite that.
• Squadron Sinister #1
A whole world of evil, totally-not-DC-Universe-characters. I'm more interested in this comic from the Secret Wars perspective, because they're annexing territories, and especially given how close Utopolis is to the Thor Corps & Doomstadt, I'm really curious to see how shit goes down there when it inevitably does.
• Thors #1
Cop drama with a twist. Seeing all the Thors is really interesting, and of utmost importance if Secret Wars stuff is your thing. Reading A-Force and Captain Marvel & the Carol Corps will also give you a better sense of what the Thors are like, but meeting them and seeing how they all work is really damn cool. Also, if you'd been reading Thor this is a good comic for you.
• Weirdworld #1
I didn't expect to love this comic as much as I did, but the first issue hooked me completely. It's especially interesting as both Squadron Sinister & Thors make some mention/interaction of the area. I've absolutely no idea where it's going, but given the end of the comic, I'm very, VERY interested in more.
• X-Tinction Agenda #1
Do the ends justify the means? It's got a similar feel to All-New X-Factor with the art and the little team of outliers. It's also got a really good hook into Doomstadt with the mutant prejudice and is a good title for the bigger picture Secret Wars stuff, especially looking at a realm's internal politics reaching upwards.
• Years of Future Past #1
It has a standard classic X-Men feel to it (and like Old Man Logan #2 also features Wolverine fighting a tiger). It seems like the story here will be fun, comfortable stuff for old X-Men fans.
• Armor Wars #1 & #2
Armor Wars is perhaps one of the more interesting realms, and I liked it a lot, despite not being big on Tony Stark. It has a tiny bit of a 2099 feel, but all the elements at play here really make this one stand out in a struggle that's really interesting and manages to sink its hooks into you even farther by issue 2.
ISSUE NUMBER TWO+
• Inferno #2 ***
This took my acceptance but hesitance about this comic and tossed it away. After seeing more of what's up with the schism between the Pryor's and the Summers' rule and fleshing out the world more, I'm absolutely loving this. The ending is quite the development as well.
• Inhumans: Attilan Rising #2
Still sticking HARD to the important Secret Wars stuff, I'm loving the characters, and I have no clue where this one will end up. Also, there's a possibility that we'll get some Ms. Marvel stuff out of it.
• Master of Kung Fu #2 ***
This one took my hesitance from before, and got me properly interested in it, and I gave it a second shot, because of how much seeing more of the world with Inferno #2 made me like it. Still the magical Kung Fu jam as before, but quite good.
• Old Man Logan #2
Interesting to see how Logan moves from the Wasteland into _____, and this one looks like it'll probably be doing a sort of visual Cliff Notes to the Secret Wars setting/rules, so it might be a little confusing if you don't know the rules. It's also interesting seeing how things are dealt differently between this and A-Force, which I'm hoping to get more information on. (Though, if I was a gamblin' man
Logan's questions lie with him being assigned to The Shield anyway, so as soon as he knows that there're other realities, he'll likely get caught and assigned there
• Secret Wars: Battleworld #2
The first bit is all comedy fun with Blade & Howard. The second one is a MUST read if you're doing Ghost Riders. Again, this is mostly a taste of the various things in Secret Wars' realms.
• Secret Wars Journal #2
More Killville, which is good background if you're into MODOK Assassin, but the second one is really intense stuff on Bar Sinister. Holy shit.
• Secret Wars 2099 #2
Still more of the same with this, and loving its development as a real plot starts to slowly piece itself together.
• Spider-Verse #2
More really cool stuff with the various Spideys, and I love seeing them portrayed well and uniquely, and the bunch they've got together are pretty much perfect in that respect. Also, I'm REALLY hoping for SP//dr to show up at some point, because there was a Capsule Corp easter egg this issue, and hers was the only comic that made anime/manga references like that in the background.
• Ultimate End #2
This is really just a "Last Days" comic that couldn't fit into the continuity, so they gave them another avenue for doing it, and so long as you accept that for what it is (despite the fact that it'll make Tres and I want to throw tables), it's interesting to see both sides meeting like this, without the "Holy fuck we're all dying right now, fuck everything" that actually happened with the incursion event.
• X-Men '92 #2
Yup. This is still pure nostalgia fuel, and succeeding on every level at it.
• Secret Wars #3
This issue was fucking great. Go read it. If you are, we should tl;dr about it.
Sooooo, yeah. All of that.
Questions/Comments/etc. plox fgj?
X
X-SOLDIER
Harbinger O Great Justice
- AKA
- X
The Twilight Mexican
Ex-SeeD-ingly good
- AKA
- TresDias
I had wondered what your reaction to that would be.
Man, I have a lot of reviews to catch up on writing this weekend -- "Thors" #1, "Runaways" #1, "X-Men '92" #1 (print release schedule is a month behind the digital), "Secret Wars Journal" #3, "Where Monsters Dwell" #2, "The Infinity Gauntlet" #2, and "Secret Wars" #4.
The Twilight Mexican
Ex-SeeD-ingly good
- AKA
- TresDias
I'm ever so slowly getting caught up on my reviews. Still have several to go, but here's these.
---
Runaways #1 (by Noelle Stevenson and Sanford Greene): A lot of fun. Loved the school days feel of this, even if the cast didn't. Looking forward to when they actually go on the run, and seeing where that takes them. Equally looking forward to their ongoing interactions. There's an enjoyable dynamic here, even (especially?) among the team members who don't like each other.
Though hardly any of these characters -- or any version of them -- has appeared in a "Runaways" comic up to now, this book absolutely captured the feel of the original. Highly surprising, and very pleasantly so. This one is a must-read for any fan of the classic book.
Based on the preview art, I wasn't too sure about the art style, but when actually reading the book, it works very well. Helps to create an almost "Akira"-like aesthetic, which I can't help but imagine is what the writer was going for anyway with the dynamics of the cast.
Again, a must-read that I can't recommend more highly.
Thors #1 (by Jason Aaron and Chris Sprouse): Just what you always wanted without realizing it. A police procedural featuring a bunch of alternate versions of Thor sounds fucking ridiculous, and it is, but it's also fucking awesome.
Other than the developing murder mystery at the heart of the plot, which claims one of the Thors by the end, it's difficult to even describe what this book is about, but it's so much fun. If only for the police-y dialogue -- with Thors! -- and crime drama tropes -- with Thors! -- that abound.
This book is probably worth a try for anyone interested in gaining more insight into the Thor police officers that have made their presence felt so much across various "Secret Wars" series, as well as anyone who thinks the wacky premise is even mildly intriguing.
The artwork is a good fit for the series -- straightforward and oddly grounded, like the story itself. There's really nothing about this not to like.
X-Men '92 #1 (by Chris Sims, Chad Bowers and Scott Koblish): With all the weirdness of the Battleworld setting, I did not expect this to manage to feel like the beloved cartoon from the '90s, but damn if it didn't deliver. Wolverine and Cyclops's dialogue alone would seal the deal, but everyone sounds on point, and the sensibilities in play are decidedly that of early '90s X-Men stuff.
The primary plot, too, feels like it could easily have been lifted out of the old animated series, and the artwork feels right at home.
I'm curious as to whether this is all headed for a darker turn, though, seeing as "X-Men '92" doesn't appear to be in the plans for the fall lineup that was recently announced. Of course, it's doubtful that Marvel has revealed everything, and they may just be waiting for more sales numbers to decide what -- if anything -- from "Secret Wars" will be carried over into the All-New, All-Different Marvel coming this fall.
Anyway, as with "Runaways" above, this proved to be a pleasant surprise and is a must-have for fans of the material inspiring it.
Where Monsters Dwell #2 (by Garth Ennis and Russell Braun): "Where Monsters Dwell" continues to be a fun adventure even as Karl Kauffman continues to be a thoroughly unlikable dick. Even more so than last time.
For her part, Clemmie is enjoyable in that she's capable in dangerous spots and keeps knocking Karl down a peg, which he is in desperate need of, but we haven't gotten more of her beyond that yet. That's fine, though, since the thrills don't slow down for long.
This book isn't shaping up to be the must-read of the summer, but it's fun and will keep you entertained if you're like me. If you didn't care for the first issue, though, don't bother coming back for this one.
The Infinity Gauntlet #2 (by Gerry Duggan and Dustin Weaver): With more of what may be the most beautiful art you'll see in a Marvel book this year, Duggan and Weaver continue telling their story of a family of Novas trying to survive the hellish domain of New Xandar. It isn't going terribly for them, but it's not going terribly well either.
The book itself, however, is magnificent. In addition to the gorgeous artwork, the family dynamics are engrossing and the plot engaging. This will undoubtedly go down as one of the best books to come out of "Secret Wars."
Secret Wars #4 (by Jonathan Hickman, Esad Ribic and Ive Svorcina): Hickman keeps the pace rolling full steam ahead here, and we're only halfway through this mini-series. The plot has not slowed down at all, and Hickman wastes no time with filler, quickly but adequately addressing the conversations that need to be had, and moving on to the confrontations we want to see.
Those moments are both glorious and shocking to behold. Hickman again pulls no punches in delivering a story where anything feels like it could happen and the stakes for all involved feel legitimately high.
Ribic continues to deliver beautiful artwork that conveys both the intensity of the action and the emotions on panel, working effectively in both the louder and more subdued scenes. Svorcina's colors, as well, are still working their magic in brilliant tandem with the line work.
This book remains of impeccable quality, and is already easily the best event book Marvel has put out since the original "Age of Apocalypse" storyline in 1995. I don't use that kind of praise lightly. In fact, I doubt I ever have before.
---
Runaways #1 (by Noelle Stevenson and Sanford Greene): A lot of fun. Loved the school days feel of this, even if the cast didn't. Looking forward to when they actually go on the run, and seeing where that takes them. Equally looking forward to their ongoing interactions. There's an enjoyable dynamic here, even (especially?) among the team members who don't like each other.
Though hardly any of these characters -- or any version of them -- has appeared in a "Runaways" comic up to now, this book absolutely captured the feel of the original. Highly surprising, and very pleasantly so. This one is a must-read for any fan of the classic book.
Based on the preview art, I wasn't too sure about the art style, but when actually reading the book, it works very well. Helps to create an almost "Akira"-like aesthetic, which I can't help but imagine is what the writer was going for anyway with the dynamics of the cast.
Again, a must-read that I can't recommend more highly.
Thors #1 (by Jason Aaron and Chris Sprouse): Just what you always wanted without realizing it. A police procedural featuring a bunch of alternate versions of Thor sounds fucking ridiculous, and it is, but it's also fucking awesome.
Other than the developing murder mystery at the heart of the plot, which claims one of the Thors by the end, it's difficult to even describe what this book is about, but it's so much fun. If only for the police-y dialogue -- with Thors! -- and crime drama tropes -- with Thors! -- that abound.
This book is probably worth a try for anyone interested in gaining more insight into the Thor police officers that have made their presence felt so much across various "Secret Wars" series, as well as anyone who thinks the wacky premise is even mildly intriguing.
The artwork is a good fit for the series -- straightforward and oddly grounded, like the story itself. There's really nothing about this not to like.
X-Men '92 #1 (by Chris Sims, Chad Bowers and Scott Koblish): With all the weirdness of the Battleworld setting, I did not expect this to manage to feel like the beloved cartoon from the '90s, but damn if it didn't deliver. Wolverine and Cyclops's dialogue alone would seal the deal, but everyone sounds on point, and the sensibilities in play are decidedly that of early '90s X-Men stuff.
The primary plot, too, feels like it could easily have been lifted out of the old animated series, and the artwork feels right at home.
I'm curious as to whether this is all headed for a darker turn, though, seeing as "X-Men '92" doesn't appear to be in the plans for the fall lineup that was recently announced. Of course, it's doubtful that Marvel has revealed everything, and they may just be waiting for more sales numbers to decide what -- if anything -- from "Secret Wars" will be carried over into the All-New, All-Different Marvel coming this fall.
Anyway, as with "Runaways" above, this proved to be a pleasant surprise and is a must-have for fans of the material inspiring it.
Where Monsters Dwell #2 (by Garth Ennis and Russell Braun): "Where Monsters Dwell" continues to be a fun adventure even as Karl Kauffman continues to be a thoroughly unlikable dick. Even more so than last time.
For her part, Clemmie is enjoyable in that she's capable in dangerous spots and keeps knocking Karl down a peg, which he is in desperate need of, but we haven't gotten more of her beyond that yet. That's fine, though, since the thrills don't slow down for long.
This book isn't shaping up to be the must-read of the summer, but it's fun and will keep you entertained if you're like me. If you didn't care for the first issue, though, don't bother coming back for this one.
The Infinity Gauntlet #2 (by Gerry Duggan and Dustin Weaver): With more of what may be the most beautiful art you'll see in a Marvel book this year, Duggan and Weaver continue telling their story of a family of Novas trying to survive the hellish domain of New Xandar. It isn't going terribly for them, but it's not going terribly well either.
The book itself, however, is magnificent. In addition to the gorgeous artwork, the family dynamics are engrossing and the plot engaging. This will undoubtedly go down as one of the best books to come out of "Secret Wars."
Secret Wars #4 (by Jonathan Hickman, Esad Ribic and Ive Svorcina): Hickman keeps the pace rolling full steam ahead here, and we're only halfway through this mini-series. The plot has not slowed down at all, and Hickman wastes no time with filler, quickly but adequately addressing the conversations that need to be had, and moving on to the confrontations we want to see.
Those moments are both glorious and shocking to behold. Hickman again pulls no punches in delivering a story where anything feels like it could happen and the stakes for all involved feel legitimately high.
Ribic continues to deliver beautiful artwork that conveys both the intensity of the action and the emotions on panel, working effectively in both the louder and more subdued scenes. Svorcina's colors, as well, are still working their magic in brilliant tandem with the line work.
This book remains of impeccable quality, and is already easily the best event book Marvel has put out since the original "Age of Apocalypse" storyline in 1995. I don't use that kind of praise lightly. In fact, I doubt I ever have before.
Last edited:
X-SOLDIER
Harbinger O Great Justice
- AKA
- X
Someone gave opinions on all the Secret Wars titles. Here's a link to my comment about where our opinions differ: http://kotaku.com/i-m-so-glad-to-see-someone-else-who-dived-in-to-everyth-1723771943
(This is WAY easier than reviewing all the things all the time, especially because I am mega lazy).
X
(This is WAY easier than reviewing all the things all the time, especially because I am mega lazy).
X
The Twilight Mexican
Ex-SeeD-ingly good
- AKA
- TresDias
I'm not too lazy to do it. I just haven't had time. I fully intend to review every issue I read.
I'm so behind right now it's disgusting, but I've got another batch ready --
----
Secret Wars Journal #3 ("Who Killed Tony Stark?" by Frank Tieri and Richard Isanove; "The Smashing Cure" by Scott Aukerman and R.B. Silva): The first story here, based in the Marvel Noir setting, is a detective story featuring the Marvel Noir version of Logan trying to find the murderer of this universe's Tony Stark. The Marvel Noir version of The Punisher also makes an appearance (he wasn't the killer just so you know I didn't spoil anything).
The story has an interesting enough twist that makes use of the unique opportunities presented by the larger Battleworld setting, but this type of story really would have benefitted from having a full-length issue to work in. It just feels like there was more the writer would have liked to have done here.
Speaking of the Battleworld setting, it's somewhat annoying that it's left unclear where this story is taking place. Again, it's obviously the Marvel Noir setting, but which domain of Battleworld the story occupies is left unclear. One can infer where it may be close to by the end of the story, but that's all.
Overall, a decent revisit of Marvel Noir that would have benefitted greatly from more room to flex its narrative.
The second story, featuring Doc Samson as a counselor for the Greenland domain's Hulks -- including this reality's Peter Parker -- is actually the much stronger of this issue's offerings. It works well within its limited space and feels like it achieves more of what it set out to.
That achievement comes in large part from the fact that it manages to tell what feels like a complete story while making excellent use of its setting and -- most importantly -- telling a story that feels like it says something about the featured characters' mainstream counterparts.
This is easily the best story that has been told in "Secret Wars Journal," and one I recommend even if you have no interest in the rest of the series.
Where Monsters Dwell #3 (by Garth Ennis and Russell Braun): Well, that took an unexpected turn. Maybe it shouldn't be entirely unexpected, though, given that this is Ennis we're dealing with and this story was already evoking his "Preacher Special: The Good Old Boys" one-shot from 1997.
In any case, as the first issue of this book to have a parental advisory, the tone has certainly changed. Even if the first two issues didn't strike your fancy, it may be worth sticking around to give this one a try since we're so far off the reservation at this point. I don't have a clue where it could be going next.
This issue also addresses my slight complaint from last time that we aren't really getting to know Clemmie. We definitely get a more full picture this time.
Oh, and the art continues to be lovely, as it has been since the beginning.
Silver Surfer #13 (by Dan Slott, Michael Allred and Laura Allred): This book finally catches up to "Secret Wars," and it pulls no punches with what all that entails. We get to see the Surfer and Dawn retrace the path of their many adventures and revisit the friends they met along the way -- right before they witness those friends, the Earth, the Queen of Never and Eternity promptly be wiped from existence.
It's a somber issue, and serves to create a memorable juxtaposition next to the vibrant, playful art. Both the Surfer and Dawn's emotions are believably conveyed in dialogue and illustration, capturing the mix of disbelief, anger and heartbreak.
Oh, and we get to see Eternity with Dr. Doom's face (i.e. his mask) here, so that's a fun bonus.
The surreal ending to this issue promises interesting things to come, as well as promises to make use of some under-utilized pieces of Marvel's crumbling cosmology. I really wish we didn't have to wait however many weeks to the next issue for those developments.
Age of Apocalypse #1 (by Fabian Nicieza and Gerardo Sandoval): Despite technically being a different reality from the original, this definitely feels like the Age of Apocalypse, as is to be expected with Fabian Nicieza -- one of the original writers -- involved. The bleak tone is right, the hellish setting is familiar and the oddly somewhat cozy feel to it all is just as I remember.
That said, it quickly becomes clear the present story being told here is very different from the original. Plot maguffins differ, we get to see AoA versions of several characters we didn't get to see the first time around, and a number of characters who played more significant roles in the original story make their exit from this one much more quickly.
In fact, a shocking number of characters die in this first issue. Not that the original "Age of Apocalypse" didn't have its share of characters -- some you wouldn't expect -- bite the big one, but they didn't come anywhere near so hard and fast as this outside of "X-Men: Omega," the finale to the original event.
Speaking of characters dying, the X-Men's objective here to end Apocalypse's reign by releasing a virus that would kill mutants leads one to wonder if, in this reality, the Inhumans' Terrigen Mist is or will become lethal to mutants. With Tom Brevoort's promise that every "Secret Wars" tie-in will contribute something to the landscape going forward, as well as the leaked report (which Marvel has all but confirmed) that this fall's All-New, All-Different Marvel will see Marvel's merry mutants having fatal reactions to the Terrigen Mists, it seems likely.
Given that we've never seen the Mists prove inherently harmful to mutants before (they even re-empowered some after the M-Day incident from "House of M" left most depowered), we can probably expect to see an explanation somewhere soon. It looks like the new "Age of Apocalypse" is probably it.
Renew Your Vows #2 (by Dan Slott and Adam Kubert): More great work here with Spidey, MJ and their family life that includes daughter Annie. The reverent and believable way Slott writes their dynamic really drives home what a shame it is that Joe Quesada saw fit to ruin the Spidey franchise for so many years with 2007's "One More Day" storyline right before Slott began writing the book.
Meanwhile, Kubert's finesse at drawing a Spider-Man comic -- from expressing the raw energy in the more kinetic scenes to constructing a full picture for even the more subdued -- is in top form here and makes you question whether anyone else is equally suited to the task. Kubert may be the Spidey artist.
As for the story developments here, Slott maintains a sufficiently interesting angle to be explored in the circumstances engineered by The Regent even if the villain himself isn't particularly more than a one-note tyrant. He's still creating interesting situations and obstacles, which is all the story being told here needs.
Among the interesting results to follow from these circumstances is witnessing Peter Parker reach a different view of what Uncle Ben's mantra entails for the sake of protecting his family. "With great power comes great responsibility" now means staying out of the public eye and not letting anyone know you have powers -- an understandable lesson to be passing on to his daughter given The Regent's desire to kill or control all super-powered entities in his domain and in light of Annie being born with powers similar to Peter's.
Annie will obviously decide to adopt a different interpretation of what "With great power comes great responsibility" means, as foreshadowed this issue by her conscience compelling her to protect innocents with her powers during a crisis. This conviction from his daughter will just as undoubtedly compel Pete to take the fight to The Regent by story's end -- but for now, it looks like the villain overlord will be sending his own version of the Sinister Six (Vulture, Hobgoblin, Dr. Octopus, Kraven the Hunter, Shocker and Mysterio) to hunt down Spidey, which should provide for an entertaining couple of issues to come.
Siege #1 (by Kieron Gillen, Filipe Andrade, James Stokoe and Jorge Coelho): Here, Gillen has somehow managed to write something more bleak than what's going on in Fabian Nicieza's and Gerardo Sandoval's "Age of Apocalypse." Perhaps because, unlike there, absolutely nothing stands to be gained from these hopeless circumstances.
Somewhat oddly, perhaps even misguidedly, Gillen lets us know from the outset that the book rests on a pointless premise: Those in Battleworld who gain God Emperor Doom's displeasure, break the laws of their respective domains or are just unlucky enough get sentenced to defend The Shield (a large wall pretty much lifted out of the "Game of Thrones" setting) from the invading robot, insect and undead hordes of Ultron, Annihilus, and the Marvel Zombies. Millions would perish should the wall fall, as it did once before -- only for Doom, with a wave of his hand, to push the invaders back and fix the wall.
Yes, that's what we're told: That The Shield fell to invaders one time, millions died, and Doom fixed it all without expending much effort.
Now, granted, this could be misdirection since we're told that happened thirty years ago while the main "Secret Wars" series has made it clear that Battleworld has actually only been around for eight years with the memories of its inhabitants altered by Doom and Dr. Strange to get them to believe Battleworld is all that ever existed. If there's an angle to be followed up with there, great. That seems doubtful, though, since the mystery set up here and drama we're left expecting to see unfold deals with a warning that impending doom will arrive at the wall in 20 days, for which we only have three more issues to explore.
What should have set up a sense of urgency and anxiety, by the way, fails to provide either thanks, again, to the reader already being given the impression that the hordes trying to get over The Shield are only as much of a threat to the domains of Battleworld as Doom allows them to be. Which may make him come across as more fucked up than the emotionally unstable, self-doubting Doom with overall good intentions that Jonathan Hickman has been trying to present us in the main "Secret Wars" title and the issues of "New Avengers" that lead into it.
To its credit, though, the book does set up an intriguing question as to which version of Thanos will be responsible for The Shield's destruction (delayed spoiler alert!). Marvel's solicitations for issue #6 of "Secret Wars" show Earth-616's Thanos battling Marvel Zombies while the current volume of "The Infinity Gauntlet" finds some version of Thanos already in the territory south of The Shield.
In addition to the plotting and delivery missteps, the illustrations don't really work well for this title either. For a book that needs to rely so much on atmosphere, the first issue offers very little with its overly angular character designs and empty scenery. Hazy coloring and a lack of detail in the characters' surroundings too often gives the impression that characters are just talking in a void.
None of which is helped by the startling juxtaposition imposed by the issue's three heavily detailed and action-packed splash pages, two of them provided by guest artists. It almost feels as though all the effort on the illustrative front went into these.
Overall, what should have been among the strongest titles to come out of the "Secret Wars" event -- depicting a story of people who persevere for the sake of those who can't protect themselves when despair is all around them -- instead comes off as an underdeveloped waste of time and missed opportunity with its premise.
Perhaps it will yet surprise me, but I can't recommend it based on this first issue alone.
Runaways #2 (by Noelle Stevenson and Sanford Greene): Speaking of plot points that make Doom come off looking fucked up, if he's aware of what's going on at the Victor Von Doom Institute for Gifted Youths, then he's got a lot of explaining to do.
I expect that there's a twist coming, but for now, both he and the school's headmaster, Valeria Von Doom, are coming off looking not so good -- what with the students of the institute being tricked into fighting one another to the death without realizing it for each year's final exam. Our new team of Runaways discovers this accidentally, of course, and now find themselves in quite the conundrum about what to do.
This second issue is a lot heavier than was the first -- it would be jarring if you didn't know something like this was coming -- but it's effective for precisely that reason. The first issue is light enough to make you comfortable and give you time to like these characters. The second then capitalizes on that to t-bone like you like an 18-wheeler in an intersection.
This is a well-constructed, engaging title so far, and I'm eager to see where it goes from here.
I'm so behind right now it's disgusting, but I've got another batch ready --
----
Secret Wars Journal #3 ("Who Killed Tony Stark?" by Frank Tieri and Richard Isanove; "The Smashing Cure" by Scott Aukerman and R.B. Silva): The first story here, based in the Marvel Noir setting, is a detective story featuring the Marvel Noir version of Logan trying to find the murderer of this universe's Tony Stark. The Marvel Noir version of The Punisher also makes an appearance (he wasn't the killer just so you know I didn't spoil anything).
The story has an interesting enough twist that makes use of the unique opportunities presented by the larger Battleworld setting, but this type of story really would have benefitted from having a full-length issue to work in. It just feels like there was more the writer would have liked to have done here.
Speaking of the Battleworld setting, it's somewhat annoying that it's left unclear where this story is taking place. Again, it's obviously the Marvel Noir setting, but which domain of Battleworld the story occupies is left unclear. One can infer where it may be close to by the end of the story, but that's all.
Overall, a decent revisit of Marvel Noir that would have benefitted greatly from more room to flex its narrative.
The second story, featuring Doc Samson as a counselor for the Greenland domain's Hulks -- including this reality's Peter Parker -- is actually the much stronger of this issue's offerings. It works well within its limited space and feels like it achieves more of what it set out to.
That achievement comes in large part from the fact that it manages to tell what feels like a complete story while making excellent use of its setting and -- most importantly -- telling a story that feels like it says something about the featured characters' mainstream counterparts.
This is easily the best story that has been told in "Secret Wars Journal," and one I recommend even if you have no interest in the rest of the series.
Where Monsters Dwell #3 (by Garth Ennis and Russell Braun): Well, that took an unexpected turn. Maybe it shouldn't be entirely unexpected, though, given that this is Ennis we're dealing with and this story was already evoking his "Preacher Special: The Good Old Boys" one-shot from 1997.
In any case, as the first issue of this book to have a parental advisory, the tone has certainly changed. Even if the first two issues didn't strike your fancy, it may be worth sticking around to give this one a try since we're so far off the reservation at this point. I don't have a clue where it could be going next.
This issue also addresses my slight complaint from last time that we aren't really getting to know Clemmie. We definitely get a more full picture this time.
Oh, and the art continues to be lovely, as it has been since the beginning.
Silver Surfer #13 (by Dan Slott, Michael Allred and Laura Allred): This book finally catches up to "Secret Wars," and it pulls no punches with what all that entails. We get to see the Surfer and Dawn retrace the path of their many adventures and revisit the friends they met along the way -- right before they witness those friends, the Earth, the Queen of Never and Eternity promptly be wiped from existence.
It's a somber issue, and serves to create a memorable juxtaposition next to the vibrant, playful art. Both the Surfer and Dawn's emotions are believably conveyed in dialogue and illustration, capturing the mix of disbelief, anger and heartbreak.
Oh, and we get to see Eternity with Dr. Doom's face (i.e. his mask) here, so that's a fun bonus.
The surreal ending to this issue promises interesting things to come, as well as promises to make use of some under-utilized pieces of Marvel's crumbling cosmology. I really wish we didn't have to wait however many weeks to the next issue for those developments.
Age of Apocalypse #1 (by Fabian Nicieza and Gerardo Sandoval): Despite technically being a different reality from the original, this definitely feels like the Age of Apocalypse, as is to be expected with Fabian Nicieza -- one of the original writers -- involved. The bleak tone is right, the hellish setting is familiar and the oddly somewhat cozy feel to it all is just as I remember.
That said, it quickly becomes clear the present story being told here is very different from the original. Plot maguffins differ, we get to see AoA versions of several characters we didn't get to see the first time around, and a number of characters who played more significant roles in the original story make their exit from this one much more quickly.
In fact, a shocking number of characters die in this first issue. Not that the original "Age of Apocalypse" didn't have its share of characters -- some you wouldn't expect -- bite the big one, but they didn't come anywhere near so hard and fast as this outside of "X-Men: Omega," the finale to the original event.
Speaking of characters dying, the X-Men's objective here to end Apocalypse's reign by releasing a virus that would kill mutants leads one to wonder if, in this reality, the Inhumans' Terrigen Mist is or will become lethal to mutants. With Tom Brevoort's promise that every "Secret Wars" tie-in will contribute something to the landscape going forward, as well as the leaked report (which Marvel has all but confirmed) that this fall's All-New, All-Different Marvel will see Marvel's merry mutants having fatal reactions to the Terrigen Mists, it seems likely.
Given that we've never seen the Mists prove inherently harmful to mutants before (they even re-empowered some after the M-Day incident from "House of M" left most depowered), we can probably expect to see an explanation somewhere soon. It looks like the new "Age of Apocalypse" is probably it.
Renew Your Vows #2 (by Dan Slott and Adam Kubert): More great work here with Spidey, MJ and their family life that includes daughter Annie. The reverent and believable way Slott writes their dynamic really drives home what a shame it is that Joe Quesada saw fit to ruin the Spidey franchise for so many years with 2007's "One More Day" storyline right before Slott began writing the book.
Meanwhile, Kubert's finesse at drawing a Spider-Man comic -- from expressing the raw energy in the more kinetic scenes to constructing a full picture for even the more subdued -- is in top form here and makes you question whether anyone else is equally suited to the task. Kubert may be the Spidey artist.
As for the story developments here, Slott maintains a sufficiently interesting angle to be explored in the circumstances engineered by The Regent even if the villain himself isn't particularly more than a one-note tyrant. He's still creating interesting situations and obstacles, which is all the story being told here needs.
Among the interesting results to follow from these circumstances is witnessing Peter Parker reach a different view of what Uncle Ben's mantra entails for the sake of protecting his family. "With great power comes great responsibility" now means staying out of the public eye and not letting anyone know you have powers -- an understandable lesson to be passing on to his daughter given The Regent's desire to kill or control all super-powered entities in his domain and in light of Annie being born with powers similar to Peter's.
Annie will obviously decide to adopt a different interpretation of what "With great power comes great responsibility" means, as foreshadowed this issue by her conscience compelling her to protect innocents with her powers during a crisis. This conviction from his daughter will just as undoubtedly compel Pete to take the fight to The Regent by story's end -- but for now, it looks like the villain overlord will be sending his own version of the Sinister Six (Vulture, Hobgoblin, Dr. Octopus, Kraven the Hunter, Shocker and Mysterio) to hunt down Spidey, which should provide for an entertaining couple of issues to come.
Siege #1 (by Kieron Gillen, Filipe Andrade, James Stokoe and Jorge Coelho): Here, Gillen has somehow managed to write something more bleak than what's going on in Fabian Nicieza's and Gerardo Sandoval's "Age of Apocalypse." Perhaps because, unlike there, absolutely nothing stands to be gained from these hopeless circumstances.
Somewhat oddly, perhaps even misguidedly, Gillen lets us know from the outset that the book rests on a pointless premise: Those in Battleworld who gain God Emperor Doom's displeasure, break the laws of their respective domains or are just unlucky enough get sentenced to defend The Shield (a large wall pretty much lifted out of the "Game of Thrones" setting) from the invading robot, insect and undead hordes of Ultron, Annihilus, and the Marvel Zombies. Millions would perish should the wall fall, as it did once before -- only for Doom, with a wave of his hand, to push the invaders back and fix the wall.
Yes, that's what we're told: That The Shield fell to invaders one time, millions died, and Doom fixed it all without expending much effort.
Now, granted, this could be misdirection since we're told that happened thirty years ago while the main "Secret Wars" series has made it clear that Battleworld has actually only been around for eight years with the memories of its inhabitants altered by Doom and Dr. Strange to get them to believe Battleworld is all that ever existed. If there's an angle to be followed up with there, great. That seems doubtful, though, since the mystery set up here and drama we're left expecting to see unfold deals with a warning that impending doom will arrive at the wall in 20 days, for which we only have three more issues to explore.
What should have set up a sense of urgency and anxiety, by the way, fails to provide either thanks, again, to the reader already being given the impression that the hordes trying to get over The Shield are only as much of a threat to the domains of Battleworld as Doom allows them to be. Which may make him come across as more fucked up than the emotionally unstable, self-doubting Doom with overall good intentions that Jonathan Hickman has been trying to present us in the main "Secret Wars" title and the issues of "New Avengers" that lead into it.
To its credit, though, the book does set up an intriguing question as to which version of Thanos will be responsible for The Shield's destruction (delayed spoiler alert!). Marvel's solicitations for issue #6 of "Secret Wars" show Earth-616's Thanos battling Marvel Zombies while the current volume of "The Infinity Gauntlet" finds some version of Thanos already in the territory south of The Shield.
In addition to the plotting and delivery missteps, the illustrations don't really work well for this title either. For a book that needs to rely so much on atmosphere, the first issue offers very little with its overly angular character designs and empty scenery. Hazy coloring and a lack of detail in the characters' surroundings too often gives the impression that characters are just talking in a void.
None of which is helped by the startling juxtaposition imposed by the issue's three heavily detailed and action-packed splash pages, two of them provided by guest artists. It almost feels as though all the effort on the illustrative front went into these.
Overall, what should have been among the strongest titles to come out of the "Secret Wars" event -- depicting a story of people who persevere for the sake of those who can't protect themselves when despair is all around them -- instead comes off as an underdeveloped waste of time and missed opportunity with its premise.
Perhaps it will yet surprise me, but I can't recommend it based on this first issue alone.
Runaways #2 (by Noelle Stevenson and Sanford Greene): Speaking of plot points that make Doom come off looking fucked up, if he's aware of what's going on at the Victor Von Doom Institute for Gifted Youths, then he's got a lot of explaining to do.
I expect that there's a twist coming, but for now, both he and the school's headmaster, Valeria Von Doom, are coming off looking not so good -- what with the students of the institute being tricked into fighting one another to the death without realizing it for each year's final exam. Our new team of Runaways discovers this accidentally, of course, and now find themselves in quite the conundrum about what to do.
This second issue is a lot heavier than was the first -- it would be jarring if you didn't know something like this was coming -- but it's effective for precisely that reason. The first issue is light enough to make you comfortable and give you time to like these characters. The second then capitalizes on that to t-bone like you like an 18-wheeler in an intersection.
This is a well-constructed, engaging title so far, and I'm eager to see where it goes from here.
The Twilight Mexican
Ex-SeeD-ingly good
- AKA
- TresDias
Well, I'm caught up. At least until Wednesday. =P
----
X-Men '92 #2 (by Chris Sims, Chad Bowers and Scott Koblish): More of what we got last issue, and there's really no better endorsement I can make than that.
That said, if I have one piece of constructive criticism to offer, it's that -- with all the characters introduced this issue -- time could and should have been found to check in with Cyclops and Jean, as was done with all the other main characters. Chris Sim's reputation for irrationally disliking Cyclops may be showing here.
Still, the other characters introduced this issue are welcome additions, and this book remains great. It has been far too long since we had someone proclaim "Stab his eyes!" The beautiful 90s are alive and well right here.
Thors #2 (by Jason Aaron, Chris Sprouse and Doran Sudzuka): More fun crime drama with Thors. Really, that's it. It's just a perfect expansion of the previous issue. Good times are had by all -- except those who are getting murdered, I suppose.
The mystery deepens this issue and it's engaging. The interactions between the various Thors remain so as well. This is a truly solid book, and quite possibly justifies the "Secret Wars" event all on its own.
Weirdworld #2 (by Jason Aaron and Mike del Mundo): God, this book is beautiful. The artwork alone makes it worth the price of admission. It's a fun adventure on top of that, though, and Marvel would be wise to keep this sort of fare around after "Secret Wars" is over.
Though they did already confirm that they plan to retain the Weirdworld setting for future use -- definitely a good call -- whether that means it will continue to be featured in its own book like this is anybody's guess. I have my doubts about both that and Arkon sticking around. Letting go of either would be a shame.
Siege #2 (by Kieron Gillen, Filipe Andrade, Yasmine Putri, Kyle Strahm, Jesus Aburtov and In-Hyuk Lee): My gripes with the artwork from last issue persist, though the double-page spreads remain a thing of beauty -- especially the one depicting the Ultron Engine. Absolutely gorgeous.
The concept seems less like a throwaway waste this time, as it is acknowledged within the dialogue here that God Emperor Doom could handle threats to The Shield at any time. Those stuck defending it are at least aware of how fucked up their situation is.
More importantly, this issue manages to navigate its way around the problem in taking the concept seriously by doing more to explore the characters involved and make them likable. If nothing else, the hope that some of them might come out the other side of this is enough to add tension.
Oh, and we got our answer about which Thanos is going to screw things up.
A definite improvement over last issue. Still can't endorse the primary art as a good match here, though.
The Infinity Gauntlet #3 (by Dustin Weaver and Gerry Duggan): This is still an engaging book -- and would obviously be guaranteed to have long-lasting ramifications for Marvel's cosmic corner when "Secret Wars" is done even if we hadn't already been told to expect that -- but I didn't love this issue as much as the first two.
While the ever-widening cast makes for an interesting motley, the individual voices of Anwen's family that really sold the first two issues was too obscured here. I feel like the book is in danger of losing a large part of what made it so appealing at first.
It's still a high-quality issue, don't get me wrong, and it does a lot to move the story along -- it's just a different flavor from before.
The artwork remains beautiful, though, and I still have high recommendations for this book. I'm definitely looking forward to the last two installments here.
Renew Your Vows #3 (by Dan Slott and Adam Kubert): Slott and Kubert deliver on my expectations for an awesome follow-up to the previous issue's developments, giving us a lot of entertaining action with the Sinister Six, who are down to noticeably less than six by issue's end. Even so, they manage to make themselves effective adversaries and move the plot along significantly.
With this issue's cliffhanger ending, I'm very thankful I have only a few days to wait until next issue. This book is definitely among the strongest of the "Secret Wars" tie-ins that I've been following, if not the best.
1872 #1 (by Gerry Duggan, Nik Virella and Lee Loughridge): After several weeks' delay thanks to my local comic shop failing to get this issue when they were first supposed to, I'm able to review it at last. Was it worth the wait? You're darn tootin'.
Marvel reimagined as a(n almost) lawless western is such a fucking fantastic idea, I don't know how it wasn't done sooner. All the archetypes were there, just begging to be adapted -- Sheriff Steve Rogers, who dutifully strives to uphold the ways of a smaller star than the shield Captain America carries; gunsmith and tinkerer Tony Stark, now an alcoholic filled with regret; Bruce Banner, chemist and proprietor of the only apothecary in the town of Timely; and corrupt Mayor Wilson Fisk, whose disregard for decency inevitably brings him into conflict with Sheriff Rogers.
Of all the ideas to be spun out of "Secret Wars," this is perhaps the most creative. As a fan of westerns, I was already more excited about the first issue of this book than damn near any other "Secret Wars" tie-in. Now, I'm filled with anticipation for the next issue. This first issue draws you into the setting right from go and never loses steam until it reaches the next station.
Also, let it be said that in addition to being a brilliantly conceived, entertainingly written, well-plotted book, "1872" is also beautifully illustrated and colored.
If it can maintain this overall quality all the way to the end of the line, it will give "Renew Your Vows" a run for its money as best "Secret Wars" tie-in. I can't wait to be able to make a fully informed comparison.
Secret Wars #5 (by Jonathan Hickman, Esad Ribic and Ive Svorcina): While this issue is good, I can't help but feel unavoidably disappointed by how little it moves the story along. It wouldn't strike me as a problem for a slower paced issue to appear here after what a high-octane entry that issue #4 turned into if it hadn't been that we've waited since all the way back on July 1st for this latest installment.
I suppose it was the most logical point in the main series to impose a delay after Marvel decided to extend the overall publication cycle of the event out an extra month, but it is terribly frustrating nonetheless. I found myself feeling that the montage at the end of this issue would have fit much better at the end of the previous for the sake of pacing. With only three issues left to go, one wonders if Hickman can afford to lose page space.
Still, with only eight weeks until the last issue is currently scheduled for release, three issues yet to go means it should feel like the rest of the story is coming at us rapidly.
It also means that Hickman has a lot of work to do in those three issues, though. He's got quite an intimidating challenge before him here, but given that it is one of his own construction, I have faith that he will be able to handle it. As we head into the homestretch, I'm expecting a crazy, satisfying dash to the finish from here.
As always, the art in this issue was beautiful. I'm very glad that the illustrations and coloring will be provided by Ribic and Svorcina from the first issue to the last.
----
X-Men '92 #2 (by Chris Sims, Chad Bowers and Scott Koblish): More of what we got last issue, and there's really no better endorsement I can make than that.
That said, if I have one piece of constructive criticism to offer, it's that -- with all the characters introduced this issue -- time could and should have been found to check in with Cyclops and Jean, as was done with all the other main characters. Chris Sim's reputation for irrationally disliking Cyclops may be showing here.
Still, the other characters introduced this issue are welcome additions, and this book remains great. It has been far too long since we had someone proclaim "Stab his eyes!" The beautiful 90s are alive and well right here.
Thors #2 (by Jason Aaron, Chris Sprouse and Doran Sudzuka): More fun crime drama with Thors. Really, that's it. It's just a perfect expansion of the previous issue. Good times are had by all -- except those who are getting murdered, I suppose.
The mystery deepens this issue and it's engaging. The interactions between the various Thors remain so as well. This is a truly solid book, and quite possibly justifies the "Secret Wars" event all on its own.
Weirdworld #2 (by Jason Aaron and Mike del Mundo): God, this book is beautiful. The artwork alone makes it worth the price of admission. It's a fun adventure on top of that, though, and Marvel would be wise to keep this sort of fare around after "Secret Wars" is over.
Though they did already confirm that they plan to retain the Weirdworld setting for future use -- definitely a good call -- whether that means it will continue to be featured in its own book like this is anybody's guess. I have my doubts about both that and Arkon sticking around. Letting go of either would be a shame.
Siege #2 (by Kieron Gillen, Filipe Andrade, Yasmine Putri, Kyle Strahm, Jesus Aburtov and In-Hyuk Lee): My gripes with the artwork from last issue persist, though the double-page spreads remain a thing of beauty -- especially the one depicting the Ultron Engine. Absolutely gorgeous.
The concept seems less like a throwaway waste this time, as it is acknowledged within the dialogue here that God Emperor Doom could handle threats to The Shield at any time. Those stuck defending it are at least aware of how fucked up their situation is.
More importantly, this issue manages to navigate its way around the problem in taking the concept seriously by doing more to explore the characters involved and make them likable. If nothing else, the hope that some of them might come out the other side of this is enough to add tension.
Oh, and we got our answer about which Thanos is going to screw things up.
A definite improvement over last issue. Still can't endorse the primary art as a good match here, though.
The Infinity Gauntlet #3 (by Dustin Weaver and Gerry Duggan): This is still an engaging book -- and would obviously be guaranteed to have long-lasting ramifications for Marvel's cosmic corner when "Secret Wars" is done even if we hadn't already been told to expect that -- but I didn't love this issue as much as the first two.
While the ever-widening cast makes for an interesting motley, the individual voices of Anwen's family that really sold the first two issues was too obscured here. I feel like the book is in danger of losing a large part of what made it so appealing at first.
It's still a high-quality issue, don't get me wrong, and it does a lot to move the story along -- it's just a different flavor from before.
The artwork remains beautiful, though, and I still have high recommendations for this book. I'm definitely looking forward to the last two installments here.
Renew Your Vows #3 (by Dan Slott and Adam Kubert): Slott and Kubert deliver on my expectations for an awesome follow-up to the previous issue's developments, giving us a lot of entertaining action with the Sinister Six, who are down to noticeably less than six by issue's end. Even so, they manage to make themselves effective adversaries and move the plot along significantly.
With this issue's cliffhanger ending, I'm very thankful I have only a few days to wait until next issue. This book is definitely among the strongest of the "Secret Wars" tie-ins that I've been following, if not the best.
1872 #1 (by Gerry Duggan, Nik Virella and Lee Loughridge): After several weeks' delay thanks to my local comic shop failing to get this issue when they were first supposed to, I'm able to review it at last. Was it worth the wait? You're darn tootin'.
Marvel reimagined as a(n almost) lawless western is such a fucking fantastic idea, I don't know how it wasn't done sooner. All the archetypes were there, just begging to be adapted -- Sheriff Steve Rogers, who dutifully strives to uphold the ways of a smaller star than the shield Captain America carries; gunsmith and tinkerer Tony Stark, now an alcoholic filled with regret; Bruce Banner, chemist and proprietor of the only apothecary in the town of Timely; and corrupt Mayor Wilson Fisk, whose disregard for decency inevitably brings him into conflict with Sheriff Rogers.
Of all the ideas to be spun out of "Secret Wars," this is perhaps the most creative. As a fan of westerns, I was already more excited about the first issue of this book than damn near any other "Secret Wars" tie-in. Now, I'm filled with anticipation for the next issue. This first issue draws you into the setting right from go and never loses steam until it reaches the next station.
Also, let it be said that in addition to being a brilliantly conceived, entertainingly written, well-plotted book, "1872" is also beautifully illustrated and colored.
If it can maintain this overall quality all the way to the end of the line, it will give "Renew Your Vows" a run for its money as best "Secret Wars" tie-in. I can't wait to be able to make a fully informed comparison.
Secret Wars #5 (by Jonathan Hickman, Esad Ribic and Ive Svorcina): While this issue is good, I can't help but feel unavoidably disappointed by how little it moves the story along. It wouldn't strike me as a problem for a slower paced issue to appear here after what a high-octane entry that issue #4 turned into if it hadn't been that we've waited since all the way back on July 1st for this latest installment.
I suppose it was the most logical point in the main series to impose a delay after Marvel decided to extend the overall publication cycle of the event out an extra month, but it is terribly frustrating nonetheless. I found myself feeling that the montage at the end of this issue would have fit much better at the end of the previous for the sake of pacing. With only three issues left to go, one wonders if Hickman can afford to lose page space.
Still, with only eight weeks until the last issue is currently scheduled for release, three issues yet to go means it should feel like the rest of the story is coming at us rapidly.
It also means that Hickman has a lot of work to do in those three issues, though. He's got quite an intimidating challenge before him here, but given that it is one of his own construction, I have faith that he will be able to handle it. As we head into the homestretch, I'm expecting a crazy, satisfying dash to the finish from here.
As always, the art in this issue was beautiful. I'm very glad that the illustrations and coloring will be provided by Ribic and Svorcina from the first issue to the last.
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The Twilight Mexican
Ex-SeeD-ingly good
- AKA
- TresDias
Renew Your Vows #4 (by Dan Slott, Adam Kubert and Scott Hanna): This issue sees a bit of a dip in the strength the series has displayed up to now, most notably in Kubert sharing pencil duties with Scott Hanna this time around. Hanna's attempts to match Kubert's aesthetic are noted and appreciated, but the difference is way too obvious to this reader's eyes.
It's a shame Kubert won't get to be the only credited penciler on the collected printings of this series, but Hanna's assist on the artwork does mean we got this issue much faster than we presumably would have otherwise.
Now, how does the rest of the issue stand up? Well enough. Though the overall pacing slows down for a few pages at one point, that's unavoidable for the sake of getting to some necessary exposition. On the whole, the action keeps coming hard and fast in setting up the final installment to this story for next issue.
There are significant developments here that move the plot forward surprisingly fast despite the brief hit the pacing takes. There are also a couple of genuine surprises and several legitimately cool happenings here.
Overall, this issue will not drag down the quality of the miniseries simply because it had to make some obligatory changes to its narrative style and atmosphere. I am excited as hell for the finale.
Secret Wars Journal #4 ("Primary Function" by Mike Benson and Laura Braga; "Another Last Stand" by Sina Grace and Ken Lashley): This installment's first story makes for one of the most fun in this anthology series. At The Shield, we follow Egyptia's Punisher and the Domain of Apocalypse's Iron Fist as they are charged with defending the wall -- which requires taking on an army of Ultrons this particular day.
As someone following "Siege," which is all about defending The Shield, I feel compelled to draw a comparison here to that title.
The artwork in this story is drastically different, though it honestly isn't any more fitting than what's going on over there. The sense of scale for the wall feels off here even while a better sense of the surrounding geography is imposed. It could also be said that the depiction here has the opposite problem of that in "Siege": Whereas The Shield's many defenders feel like they're floating around in an under detailed void over there, here we have more detailed environs while the wall itself feels too unpopulated.
The tone of the stories differ significantly as well. This is not nearly so bleak, and the characters here express a much more "call of duty" outlook about their circumstances. For this reason, if no other, it's a welcome addition to the stories of Battleworld.
The issue's second story is one of the best yet from "Secret Wars Journal." Set in the Sentinel Territories of "Years of Future Past," a former member of the X-Men who has eluded capture or death at the hands of the Sentinels finds herself facing a crisis of conscience in whether to give up her safe, normal life to help rescue a former teammate. Her choice and internal monologue make for a memorable read.
One of the better issues in this series. I'm a tad sad to think about there being only one more.
Runaways #3 (by Noelle Stevenson and Sanford Greene): Following the depressing turn of events last time, this issue begins with a round of sorely needed comedy relief courtesy of this series's Molly Hayes and the town of Timely from "1872." There's actually a lot of humor in this issue, which, again, is most welcome amidst the tragedy of issue #2 and the sadness and horror that creeps in later from this outing.
While not quite as much a downer as the previous issue, this one is still not the feel-good-movie-of-the-year. It also makes the best case yet for just how messed up a world Doom has created here.
The Runaways obviously won't be taking him down with their final issue (that's for the survivors of Earth-616 and Earth-1610 to see to in the main "Secret Wars" miniseries), but there is definitely some surprise still to come. I can feel it.
I eagerly look forward to the conclusion to these kids' tale next issue. This has definitely made for one of the all-around best "Secret Wars" tie-ins I've been reading. The story remains solid, the characters are engaging, and the art is an appropriate match for both.
1872 #2 (by Gerry Duggan, Nik Virella and Lee Loughridge): The second issue of Marvel's riveting, imaginative western epic stands as tall as the first. This especially brutal and shocking bout in the town of Timely sees more fast-paced old west mayhem as filtered through Marvel archetypes, and is guaranteed to leave you hankering for the next installment. I know I am.
The art continues to competently convey the action, feeling kinetic and immersive without trying to go over the top or get too clever for its own good. Both the line work and color artists here are fully aware that with guns being the superpowers in "1872," an approach that lets you feel the weight in every shot is the way to go.
There's also an amazing synergy here between subdued colors and dynamic panel layouts. The storytelling in this book's artwork is top notch so far, and as good a match for its narrative content as you'll find in any "Secret Wars" tie-in.
Secret Wars: Secret Love #1 ("Guilty Pleasure" by Michel Fiffe; "Fan of a Fan" by Felipe Smith and Val Staples; "Misty and Danny Forever" by Jeremy Whitley and Gurihiru; "Squirrel Girl Gets a Date With Thor" by Marguerite Bennett and Kris Anka; "Happy Ant-iversary" by Katie Cook): This one-shot is something of an anthology title in the vein of "Secret Wars Journal," only if all the stories were based around romance. Like "Secret Wars Journal" and "Secret Wars: Battleworld," the other anthology title currently being put out by Marvel, its stories are set in various domains of Battleworld -- though two may actually be based prior to the destruction of the multiverse.
The first story, set in the Limbo domain, sees Daredevil Matt Murdock's girlfriend, Karen Page, dealing with insecurity and suspicions of infidelity as the demonic destruction of the Inferno sweeps across New York City. A somber, memorable tale, the artwork fits perfectly, both in matching the atmosphere and the original source material for this domain, the "Inferno" crossover from the late 1980s.
The artwork also calls to mind the style of John Romita Jr., who was working on Daredevil's book at the time. To get even more specific, I dare say both the plot and artwork of this story was at least partially inspired by "Daredevil" #266 (May, 1989 issue).
Our second story, featuring Ms. Marvel Kamala Khan and Ghost Rider Robbie Reyes, finds fun being poked at the question of whether boys and girls can just be friends -- while lovelorn members of their supporting casts anxiously await the answer. A fun little story in the "Ghost Racers" setting with appropriately colorful, energetic artwork.
Next up is my favorite offering from this book. Seemingly set on Earth-21722 prior to the creation of Battleworld, this touching vignette offers a look at superheroes Misty Knight and Iron Fist exploring romance after marriage and parenthood -- and finding the same challenges as ordinary people. An honest look at the difficulties, rewards and easily forgotten truths that come with maintaining a relationship amidst day-to-day life, it's accompanied by appropriately colorful and cheerful artwork.
The fourth story, featuring Squirrel Girl and Thor, doesn't make a lick of fucking sense. It's supposedly set on Battleworld given the reference to "GOD-DOOM," but various aspects of this blessedly brief story seem wholly irreconcilable with the "Secret Wars" setting -- from Asgard still being a place (rather than Doomgard) to there being one Thor, identified as the Odinson.
We also have to endure Kris Anka's atrocious line work and colors here for three pages.
While I do recommend "Secret Wars: Secret Love," this fourth story is probably best forgotten as quickly as possible. I'm sorry it's here.
Finally, we have an adorable, hilarious story set on Earth-0.616. Featuring many well-known Avengers reimagined as various kinds of bugs -- and with puns and other nerd humor aplenty in its short five-page span -- this cute tale is one of the best to be found here, and the appropriate end point.
It's a shame Kubert won't get to be the only credited penciler on the collected printings of this series, but Hanna's assist on the artwork does mean we got this issue much faster than we presumably would have otherwise.
Now, how does the rest of the issue stand up? Well enough. Though the overall pacing slows down for a few pages at one point, that's unavoidable for the sake of getting to some necessary exposition. On the whole, the action keeps coming hard and fast in setting up the final installment to this story for next issue.
There are significant developments here that move the plot forward surprisingly fast despite the brief hit the pacing takes. There are also a couple of genuine surprises and several legitimately cool happenings here.
Overall, this issue will not drag down the quality of the miniseries simply because it had to make some obligatory changes to its narrative style and atmosphere. I am excited as hell for the finale.
Secret Wars Journal #4 ("Primary Function" by Mike Benson and Laura Braga; "Another Last Stand" by Sina Grace and Ken Lashley): This installment's first story makes for one of the most fun in this anthology series. At The Shield, we follow Egyptia's Punisher and the Domain of Apocalypse's Iron Fist as they are charged with defending the wall -- which requires taking on an army of Ultrons this particular day.
As someone following "Siege," which is all about defending The Shield, I feel compelled to draw a comparison here to that title.
The artwork in this story is drastically different, though it honestly isn't any more fitting than what's going on over there. The sense of scale for the wall feels off here even while a better sense of the surrounding geography is imposed. It could also be said that the depiction here has the opposite problem of that in "Siege": Whereas The Shield's many defenders feel like they're floating around in an under detailed void over there, here we have more detailed environs while the wall itself feels too unpopulated.
The tone of the stories differ significantly as well. This is not nearly so bleak, and the characters here express a much more "call of duty" outlook about their circumstances. For this reason, if no other, it's a welcome addition to the stories of Battleworld.
The issue's second story is one of the best yet from "Secret Wars Journal." Set in the Sentinel Territories of "Years of Future Past," a former member of the X-Men who has eluded capture or death at the hands of the Sentinels finds herself facing a crisis of conscience in whether to give up her safe, normal life to help rescue a former teammate. Her choice and internal monologue make for a memorable read.
One of the better issues in this series. I'm a tad sad to think about there being only one more.
Runaways #3 (by Noelle Stevenson and Sanford Greene): Following the depressing turn of events last time, this issue begins with a round of sorely needed comedy relief courtesy of this series's Molly Hayes and the town of Timely from "1872." There's actually a lot of humor in this issue, which, again, is most welcome amidst the tragedy of issue #2 and the sadness and horror that creeps in later from this outing.
While not quite as much a downer as the previous issue, this one is still not the feel-good-movie-of-the-year. It also makes the best case yet for just how messed up a world Doom has created here.
The Runaways obviously won't be taking him down with their final issue (that's for the survivors of Earth-616 and Earth-1610 to see to in the main "Secret Wars" miniseries), but there is definitely some surprise still to come. I can feel it.
I eagerly look forward to the conclusion to these kids' tale next issue. This has definitely made for one of the all-around best "Secret Wars" tie-ins I've been reading. The story remains solid, the characters are engaging, and the art is an appropriate match for both.
1872 #2 (by Gerry Duggan, Nik Virella and Lee Loughridge): The second issue of Marvel's riveting, imaginative western epic stands as tall as the first. This especially brutal and shocking bout in the town of Timely sees more fast-paced old west mayhem as filtered through Marvel archetypes, and is guaranteed to leave you hankering for the next installment. I know I am.
The art continues to competently convey the action, feeling kinetic and immersive without trying to go over the top or get too clever for its own good. Both the line work and color artists here are fully aware that with guns being the superpowers in "1872," an approach that lets you feel the weight in every shot is the way to go.
There's also an amazing synergy here between subdued colors and dynamic panel layouts. The storytelling in this book's artwork is top notch so far, and as good a match for its narrative content as you'll find in any "Secret Wars" tie-in.
Secret Wars: Secret Love #1 ("Guilty Pleasure" by Michel Fiffe; "Fan of a Fan" by Felipe Smith and Val Staples; "Misty and Danny Forever" by Jeremy Whitley and Gurihiru; "Squirrel Girl Gets a Date With Thor" by Marguerite Bennett and Kris Anka; "Happy Ant-iversary" by Katie Cook): This one-shot is something of an anthology title in the vein of "Secret Wars Journal," only if all the stories were based around romance. Like "Secret Wars Journal" and "Secret Wars: Battleworld," the other anthology title currently being put out by Marvel, its stories are set in various domains of Battleworld -- though two may actually be based prior to the destruction of the multiverse.
The first story, set in the Limbo domain, sees Daredevil Matt Murdock's girlfriend, Karen Page, dealing with insecurity and suspicions of infidelity as the demonic destruction of the Inferno sweeps across New York City. A somber, memorable tale, the artwork fits perfectly, both in matching the atmosphere and the original source material for this domain, the "Inferno" crossover from the late 1980s.
The artwork also calls to mind the style of John Romita Jr., who was working on Daredevil's book at the time. To get even more specific, I dare say both the plot and artwork of this story was at least partially inspired by "Daredevil" #266 (May, 1989 issue).
Our second story, featuring Ms. Marvel Kamala Khan and Ghost Rider Robbie Reyes, finds fun being poked at the question of whether boys and girls can just be friends -- while lovelorn members of their supporting casts anxiously await the answer. A fun little story in the "Ghost Racers" setting with appropriately colorful, energetic artwork.
Next up is my favorite offering from this book. Seemingly set on Earth-21722 prior to the creation of Battleworld, this touching vignette offers a look at superheroes Misty Knight and Iron Fist exploring romance after marriage and parenthood -- and finding the same challenges as ordinary people. An honest look at the difficulties, rewards and easily forgotten truths that come with maintaining a relationship amidst day-to-day life, it's accompanied by appropriately colorful and cheerful artwork.
The fourth story, featuring Squirrel Girl and Thor, doesn't make a lick of fucking sense. It's supposedly set on Battleworld given the reference to "GOD-DOOM," but various aspects of this blessedly brief story seem wholly irreconcilable with the "Secret Wars" setting -- from Asgard still being a place (rather than Doomgard) to there being one Thor, identified as the Odinson.
We also have to endure Kris Anka's atrocious line work and colors here for three pages.
While I do recommend "Secret Wars: Secret Love," this fourth story is probably best forgotten as quickly as possible. I'm sorry it's here.
Finally, we have an adorable, hilarious story set on Earth-0.616. Featuring many well-known Avengers reimagined as various kinds of bugs -- and with puns and other nerd humor aplenty in its short five-page span -- this cute tale is one of the best to be found here, and the appropriate end point.
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