I have returned from Wizard World Anaheim and I am charged up! It was an amazing event with all the love of comics reminiscent of the older conventions from the late 90’s. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out our photo gallery full of cosplay goodness and keep your eyes on Comic Issues for upcoming interviews and articles about our time there.
But that’s not why you’re here, you’re here for some comic books and I’m the man to drop some knowledge on some of the books that came out last week. It was another good week for comics, the Age of X came to it’s conclusion, Flash is catching up to the Flashpoint Event, and The Mighty Thor debuts his underwater action figure.
Top Pick: Amazing Spider-man # 659 Creative team Slott & Van Lente (writer) Caselli (art) Garcia (colors)
Dan Slott’s reign over Spider-man continues as we get more FF adventures. This issue continues the FF’s journey in finding the cause of the tears in time and space which happens to drop them on a familiar island from the Fantastic Four’s past. Be warned though for there be pirates on that island; ZOMBIE PIRATES! It’s a classic scenario that is a breath of fresh air against the big events that have been filling up the comic shelves. Unfortunately for Spidey, while he’s out doing his best Johnny Depp impersonation, his girl Carlie is on a drunken mission of rebellion against him.
Stefano Caselli’s art is bold and dynamic in this book as he fills each panel with figures that look like heroes and villains. The only thing that I’m not enjoying about this book right now is the FF aspect. With an FF book already out I’d really like to more stories about Spider-man and not just including him. I’m finding myself more interested in what’s coming after this FF arc then anything happening during it.
Runner Up: The Mighty Thor # 1 Creative team Fraction (writer) Coipel (pencils) Morales (inks) Martin, Ponsor, Steigerwald (colors)
What do you do after splitting the World Tree to save the 9 realms? You re-number your book under a new title and keep on going. Continuing from the ongoing Thor book, we find the God of Thunder himself in Asgardian Scuba Gear that even has the wings on the side of his helm. It looks kinda silly at first, like an action figure version of Thor, but to be honest but it grows on you fast and by now I kinda dig it. What I’m finding interesting in this issue is the child Loki. On one hand I know he’s got to turn out to be the same, but on the other hand I can’t shake the idea that maybe he won’t turn out the same. I’m hoping that The Mighty Thor will turn out to be the Thor book that I wanted instead of suffering another disappointment like the previous ongoing series and the For Asgard mini-series. I’ve got a good feeling about it.
Also this week:
Flash # 11 The road to Flashpoint continues and there’s tension in the air. The speedster family has noticed there’s something wrong with Barry and they’ve staged an intervention to help him, but Bart can’t face his own feelings of abandonment. Too bad for Bart though the streets aren’t safe to run alone as alternate universe Barry (Hot Pursuit) seem to be the murderer that the city’s been looking for.
American Vampire # 14 Henry and the Vassals of the Morning Star have reached the shores of hell in their hunt for vampires. Death is waiting for them and Death’s name is Skinner, but what’s his plan? Whatever it is, Pearl’s not gonna wait to find out, and she’s on her way to save her beloved Henry before it’s too late.
Uncanny X-Men # 536 Gillen continues to breathe fresh air back into Uncanny X-Men. The warriors of Breakworld have left their home world in search of asylum on Earth, but is it safe to harbor enemies of the past? I’ve always been a huge fan of the Dodson’s and I’m loving the the art and it’s been an awesome compliment to Gillen’s writing.
X-Men # 10 The X-Men are still enjoying their visit back home to New York City with their tour guide Spider-man. Spidey’s showing them the sights of NYC’s sewer systems as they face off against Dark Beast. Too bad the sewers have brought out the reptilian side of our heroes with only Spidey and Emma Frost to save the day.
New Mutants # 24 The Age of X comes to its conclusion with this issue as an all out brawl ensues between mutants and the figments of Legion’s twisted mind. Everyone puts it out on the line, including a powerless Logan who makes a last stand. The large story arc comes to a close and returns us to the normal world by the end, but nothing is left the same as everyone still retains some of the memories of what they thought was years of their lives.
Age of X # 2 As much as I’ve enjoyed the skewed versions of some of the other Marvel Superheroes, in light of the reveal in the normal Age of X books, this book doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. I won’t really spoil it if you have read the books yet, but it stands out to me pretty drastically.
Deadpool # 36 Say what you will about Deadpool, but Daniel Way writes Deadpool just the way I like it. Lots of silly humor mixed with a little mad genius and the occasion joke that breaks the 4th wall. Way treats Wade Wilson more like a character than most do, and it shows in this book. If you kinda like Deadpool but the over exposure is deterring your, just pick up this book and enjoy everything that’s fun about Deadpool.
That’s it for me this week. As always feel free to comment below what your thought about the books I reviewed this week, or your own reviews of the books that I missed. You could also suggest books that you haven’t seen me talk about and recommend something. I’d love to hear back from you.
Just to keep you informed Comic Issues will be having a little meet and greet at the Edwards Cinema this Sat. for the release of THOR! We’ll be seeing the movie together, getting some viewer reactions then it’s off to our not so secret hide out at Keith’s Restaurant where you’re invited to sit in and watch the magic happen as we record a special Thor-cast version of Comic Issues.