Venom #17
Writers: Rick Remender and Cullen Bunn
Art: Kev Walker [Pencils], Terry Pallot [Inks], Chris Sotomayor [Colors]
You’d think that after joining an Avengers team, things would be looking up for Flash Thompson. Unfortunately, he’s about to get the ride of his life thanks to team of six villains (sound familiar?).
If you’ve been keeping up, Crime-Master and Jack O’Lantern know that Flash is Venom. Deciding to end his issues with Crime-Master once and for all, Flash borrows the Venom symbiote from the Secret Avengers in order to kill the criminal mastermind. It’s one last hit and then he’s a hero for good, or so he thinks.
About to snipe the root of his problems during a meeting between Crime-Master, Jack O’Lantern, Human Fly, Death Adder, and Megatak, Venom is interrupted by an intruding Eddie Brock–the former Venom host who has been on a one-man crusade to kill all of the symbiotes.
Needless to say, things don’t go well for Venom or Brock.
Rick Remender and Cullen Bunn do a great job of setting up how much the odds are stacked against Flash–especially in the reveal on the issue’s final page–with the perfect balance of action and exposition. Remender in particular has made a point of having certain aspects of Flash’s role as Venom parallel aspects of Peter Parker’s role as Spider-Man, so it only makes sense that he should give Venom his own 6-villain team-up to face off against. After reading his first issue of Wolverine last week, the fact that Bunn is involved in this, as well, is icing on the cake, as it appears they are both prepared to drag Flash (and Eddie Brock, as well) through Hell and back.
Additionally, Kev Walker’s art is a great fit for this book. It has a gritty ’90s feel to it that works for the character and never feels too exaggerated, striking the right balance between realism and cartoon. The inks and colors–provided by Terry Pallot and Chris Sotomayor respectively–add to that grittiness, filling out the grim and bleak feel this storyline should have.
This is the perfect jumping-on point and one of the best issues of the series so far.
Amazing Spider-Man #685
Writer: Dan Slott
Art: Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba [Inks], Edgar Delgado [Colors]
With the promise of a permanent solution to global warming, Doctor Octopus has swayed the world and its peace-keeping forces against Spider-Man, who knows better than to trust Octavius’ word. Meanwhile, Spidey, Silver Sable, and Black Widow are making runs to shut down all of Doc Ock’s factories in a last-ditch effort to prevent him from launching his satellites.
Meanwhile, the remaining members of Ock’s latest Sinister Six–Mysterio, Chameleon, and Rhino–are beginning to have second thoughts about seeing Octavius’ scheme through now that they have $2 billion each in their offshore accounts. As a safety measure, Ock secretly contacts several more villains around the globe–one of whom isn’t the villain that Octavius thinks he is, and informs Spider-Man. In turn, Spider-Man organizes global countermeasures of his own with fellow heroes Union Jack, Sabra, Kangaroo, Big Hero 6, and the aforementioned not-quite-a-villain-after-all.
Whether or not these efforts are enough to prevent Ock’s true motives from coming to light is another question entirely.
With another solid issue in his “Ends of the Earth” storyline, Dan Slott shows just how high the deck is stacked against Spider-Man–and even how far the hero is willing to go to prevent global catastrophe in a Sandman interrogation scene. Slott also throws in another segment where the Silver Sable shows a romantic interest in Spider-Man (Anyone remember that old What If? issue where Spider-Man married Sable instead of Mary Jane?) and more hinting at the potential rekindling of the Peter Parker/Mary Jane Watson relationship.
Humberto Ramos keeps the story moving at a brisk pace and the panels transitioning smoothly. It can be easy to get lost between panels when there’s this much action going on, but Ramos avoids that pitfall for the reader entirely.
Now quit reading the reviews and go pick up the actual story!
Daredevil #11
Writer: Mark Waid
Art: Marco Checchetto, Matt Hollingsworth [Colorist]
Mark Waid wraps up his Avenging Spider-Man/Punisher/Daredevil “Omega Effect” crossover with Greg Rucka in Daredevil #11 with all of the elements that made the first two parts of the story so damn good intact.
Daredevil, having the Omega Drive (a nigh-indestructible drive made from unstable molecules and possessing intel on all of the Marvel Universe’s “Megacrime” cartels), teamed up with Spider-Man and the two formed an uneasy alliance with the Punisher and his ally, Rachel Cole-Alves. The goal of this alliance was simple–they would all lure out members of A.I.M., Hyrdra, Agence Byzantine, the Secret Empire, and the Exchange so that they could destroy the Omega Drive in front of them. Also, Punisher and Alves had to promise to use rubber bullets and not kill anyone because killing isn’t really Spider-Man or Daredevil’s thing.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go according to plan. Alves, a former Marine whose husband was murdered by the Exchange on her wedding day, double-crossed Daredevil as he was about to destroy the drive–giving him a rubber bullet to the back and escaping with the drive herself. With Punisher covering their exit, Spider-Man and Daredevil split up to find Alves and retrieve the drive.
Waid does a stellar job of presenting the story from Daredevil’s perspective (it is DD’s book, after all), exploring how Matt Murdock feels that he failed the Punisher by never being able to pull him back from the proverbial ledge before he went all the way over. Feeling he can do the same for Alves, we’ve seen Murdock try to talk sense into her once before in this crossover (during Rucka’s Punisher #10). Whether or not he gets through in this issue remains to be seen.
Marco Checchetto and Matt Hollingsworth continue to deliver the goods artistically. There really isn’t much I can say about it that I didn’t already touch on in my reviews for Avenging Spider-Man #6 and Punisher #10, so check those out, too.
What are you still reading this review for? GO PICK UP THIS CROSSOVER!
Wolverine #305
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Art: Paul Pelletier [Pencils], David Meikis [Inker], Rain Beredo [Colorist]
The first issue under new writer Cullen Bunn, Wolverine #306 sees the return of an antagonist from previous scribe Jason Aaron’s Wolverine: Weapon X run.
Feds are investigating a cross-country killing spree, when a child who witnessed a New York slaying from a second-story apartment window draws a crayon sketch of the killer he saw–and the killer looks a lot like Wolverine. Cut to California and we find Logan in a bar, drowning his sorrows and shunning the advances of a server–because, you know, it’s never been that safe for “normal folks” to be around him.
He exits the bar reflecting upon this, as well as the fact that he’s been waking up in strange places, covered in gore and with no clue of what he’d done. Only one person could be responsible for this (well, maybe a few), but Logan somehow instinctively knows that Dr. Rot is behind it.
See, back in Wolverine: Weapon X, Dr. Rot operated a mental hospital known as Dunwich Sanitorium where he had a machine powered by dozens of disembodied brains that used to control the patients. Using this machine, he “strip-mined” Logan’s brain, leaving him unable to remember who he was or how he got there. He wanted to use Wolverine as his own personal killer, so he could, in turn, get even more brains.
Now, Rot is at it again, and as Logan heads to the now-vacated hospital to search for answers, the feds come calling at the Jean Grey School–where Kitty Pryde and Rachel Grey are looking for answers of their own.
Too often, a character’s solo book and any team books they might be part of seem to exist in parallel universes. Bunn begins his Wolverine run on a strong note by continuing to keep Wolverine tied to Aaron’s Wolverine and the X-Men by doing one of the things that Aaron did best–acknowledging that Logan’s solo adventures don’t exist in a void. Additionally, his decision to use Dr. Rot allows him to deliver the visceral ultra-violence Wolverine is known for without just relying on that to carry the book.
The detail of Paul Pelletier, David Meikis, and Rain Beredo’s art isn’t to be overlooked, either. The Dunwich Sanitorium is as creepy as ever, and the blood and gore pops off of the pages.
Seeing one of your favorite writers leave one of your favorite books is never easy, but if this a precursor of things to come from Cullen Bunn, I think I’ll be fine.
Azzarello opens this issue up in the Weapons Room of Hephaestus. Diana heads to Hell to bring Zola back from Hades and she needs the proper tools to get the job done. She opts to go alone but Hermes forces himself into joining her. Azzarello does a nice job injecting humor into the beginning pages as Hephaestus deems Diana’s choice of weapons archaic and gives her Eros’ Twin Pistols to aid her.
Azzarello creates a very fresh take on Hell. His vision is one of great emptiness. I especially liked that Hermes describes Hell as whatever Hades imagines it to be. There also a moment that reminded me of The Body World Exhibit based on the design of the Demon.I have to speak about Cliff Chiang’s art in this issue. Everything from the page layouts to the character designs and backgrounds are drawn with so much attention to detail its crazy. He has a very clean line when he draws and each panel is a incredible piece of art on its own.Special mention to Matthew Williams on Colors. I really enjoyed his use of bright reds and the contrast in used with cooler blue and grey tones. This is a very beautiful book. As much as I admire what Azzarello has done with Wonder Woman and her Origin story, I can’t imagine another artist who could have executed those ideas as well as Cliff Chiang and Tony Atkins who pencils issues in between Chiang.
Cliff Chiang's unique take on Hell in Wonder Woman #8
Hermes and Diana fight through the lost souls of Hades and eventually find Zola. Unfortunately they also find Hades in the process. Hades makes a deal with Diana. He originally was promised a Bride which is why he took Zola. However he makes a deal with Wonder Woman. Give him Eros’s Twin Pistols and he will let Zola go free and unharmed. Wonder Woman agrees to the deal though she should know it’s not smart to make deals with Hades in the first place. This issue ends in shocking fashion and I assume Wonder Woman is going to need the help of her brother and sister gods come issue 9. This is a great series and another example of why the New 52 works. Go ahead and add this series to your pull list as long as Azzarello and Chiang are on board. You wont be disappointed.
The Punisher #10
Writer: Greg Rucka
Art: Marco Checchetto, Matt Hollingsworth [Color Artist]
Continuing the “Omega Effect” crossover story, ThePunisher #10 picks up where last weeks Avenging Spider-Man #6 left off. Having agreed that the destruction of the Omega Drive–which contains intel on every major super-criminal organization under the sun–is the best course of action, Spider-Man, Daredevil, the Punisher, and “Punisherette” Rachel Cole-Alves set out to wreak havoc upon the New York underworld before destroying the drive for all of the organizations to see.
Greg Rucka writes a fast-paced, fun issue here. Yes, I just used the word “fun” to describe a book starring the Punisher. Rucka handles the Spider-banter well here, even having Frank Castle himself throw in a veiled quip at one point. It should be noted that this is the first Punisher comic I’ve ever bought (I’m mostly familiar with him from guest appearances in other books) and I have to say that Rucka makes the breakdown of Castle’s tactics during the raids on AIM, Hydra, Hand, and Exchange operations easy to follow.
He also provides a little more insight into Sgt. Rachel Cole-Alves’ backstory for new readers and develops the character over a few more panels. To keep it simple, though, she’s basically got a similar backstory as Frank Castle. To round things out, Rucka parallels what each team–Spidey/Daredevil and Castle/Alves–do en route to the rendezvous, with Spider-Man and Daredevil getting caught up delivering a baby in stalled traffic and the Punishers stocking up on firearms in a hideout where an Iron Man helmet and Hawkeye bow are visible (I wonder how Frank Castle got his hands on those…).
Overall, Rucka keeps the second part of this crossover moving at the same brisk pace while maintaining the fun factor and seamless writing it began with. Coupled with more stellar art by Marco Checchetto and Matt Hollingsworth, this is another must-read in a thus-far perfect multi-book crossover.
Venom #16
Writer: Rick Remender
Art: Kev Walker, Chris Sotomayor [Colors]
A while back, Venom captured the D-list villain Human Fly. This issue, he’s in charge of protecting a train transporting Human Fly to the Raft, a maximum security prison designed for super villains.
It all starts out simple enough, with Human Fly giving a sob story about how he stole a few million dollars from the Kingpin and now the Kingpin is going to kill his son. It adds depth to the Human Fly, especially given the revelation at the end of the issue.
Before Flash can fully process any of this, though, one of the guards informs him that the Kingpin has already placed a $10 million bounty on the Fly’s head and that one of the other guards has already offered to take it. It turns out the guard with the intel is no guard at all, but actually the Hobgoblin in disguise. Needless to say, a battle between the three ensues and Venom is dealt another personal defeat.
Rick Remender has promised in recent weeks that people who like seeing Flash Thompson’s life suck would be happy in coming months, and so far, he seems to be keeping that promise. If it’s all downhill from here, I can only imagine the depths to which he’ll take Venom before things start looking up. Aside from giving Human Fly some of the best characterization I’ve ever read from that character, he also makes great use of the Phil Urich Hobgoblin here. Like what he did with Jack O’Lantern early on in the series, I actually think Human Fly is more than a C- or D-lister for a change.
Another solid one-and-done from Remender this week, just in time for new readers to jump onboard for the “Savage Six” story arc.
Uncanny X-Force #24
Writer: Rick Remender
Art: Phil Noto, Dean White [Colors]
During last year’s “Dark Angel Saga,” the Age of Apocalypse’s evil version of Iceman escaped into Earth-616 (i.e. the mainstream Marvel Universe). This was the primary reason for that reality’s Nightcrawler joining X-Force.
In Uncanny X-Force #24, he finally gets his revenge on his former friend and teammate.
While Nightcrawler, Wolverine, and Deadpool head to Madripoor to take care of AoA Iceman, Fantomex and Psylocke attend the Otherworld funeral of Psylocke’s brother, Jamie Braddock. Here, we see Fantomex’s more human side during a brief conversation with Psylocke’s other brother, Brian (AKA Captain Britain), and learn that in order to save Fantomex during the Otherworld saga, Psylocke gave up her ability to feel sorrow or remorse.
Back in Madripoor, the fight comes down to Nightcrawler and Iceman–no powers or weapons, just two former friends fighting to the death. Rick Remender really drives home the emotional impact of this battle via Nightcrawler’s thoughts and the banter between the two. Additionally, Remender continues to bring some of the best Deadpool antics outside of Daniel Way’s Deadpool solo series and provides a huge leap in the Fantomex-Psylocke relationship, as well as building upon the father-son dynamic between Fantomex and Apocalypse child clone Genesis.
Phil Noto and Dean White’s art in this issue is vibrant and detailed, perhaps even my favorite art on this series thus far. The transitions between panels are extremely fluid and easy to follow, keeping the action moving at a steady pace.
This one-and-done issue is a must-buy for fans of the series and new readers interested in the title alike.
Wolverine and the X-Men #9
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: Chris Bachalo [Penciler/Colorist]; Tim Townsend, Jaime Mendoza, and Al Vey [Inkers]
As you’re probably aware (based on the banner on this issue’s cover), Wolverine and the X-Men #9 is an Avengers Vs. X-Men tie-in issue. As such, it provides a micro-level look at the macro-level events taking place in the event’s main book.
This issue in particular takes place during the events of Avengers Vs. X-Men #1, detailing Captain America’s visit to the Jean Grey School for intel from Wolverine.
Having dealt with the Phoenix before–namely when it possessed Jean Grey and turned her into a force of destruction before she killed herself to stop it–it’s only natural that Beast would be monitoring deep space in the event that it returned. Thus, we find out here that Beast and Wolverine were well aware of its impending return far before Steve Rogers came to tell them.
Jason Aaron also delves into the internal conflict going on with Logan, as well as that potentially brewing within the school, regarding the potential of going to war with Cyclops’ group of X-Men on Utopia. Those X-Men, after all, are people that Wolverine and others in his school called family for years. Unfortunately, they pretty much all–Cyclops especially–believe that Hope Summers is the “Mutant Messiah” and that the Phoenix possessing her will bring about a reawakening of the mutant species, which was mostly de-powered by the Scarlet Witch during “House of M.”
As Logan says to Captain America, “Think of Utopia as a compound full of heavily armed religious fanatics. And you’re the feds butting in, telling them what to believe and how to live. It won’t go well.” Wolverine knows it’s going to come to blows and is wary about siding against the X-Men, and Captain America only convinces him to side with the Avengers by putting it in terms of saving the world.
Logan’s decision is shaky, at best.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Force’s approach lays out two telepaths with previous connections to it–Rachel Grey and Quentin Quire–and alarms the Shi’ar Emperor Gladiator, whose son, Kid Gladiator, is a student at Logan’s school. Gladiator and the Shi’ar are also familiar with the destructive nature of the Phoenix, and while it remains to be seen if they’ll come into play in the main series, it’s only natural that they should show up in one of the X-book tie-ins.
Chris Bachalo’s art remains hit or miss for me. While I enjoy it here for the most part, there are a few panels, such as the psychic disturbance with Grey and Quire on page 15, that were a little confusing at first, but made sense on second viewing. My main art gripe here is that Rachel Grey is seen standing behind Wolverine in the faculty meeting near the end of the issue after being laid up in the school’s medical facility on the previous page.
Minor art gripes aside, Aaron does with this issue what any good tie-in should do–add depth to the main story. By adding more detail to the events of the first round of AVX and throwing in additional plot threads that allow for a stand-alone story arc.
Avengers Vs. X-Men #2
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: John Romita Jr. [Pencils], Scott Hanna [Inks], Laura Martin [Colors]
[We’ve tried our best to be as spoiler-free as possible here, but nobody’s perfect. Read at your own risk.]
Defying Captain America’s request to take Hope Summers into custody last issue, Cyclops fired the first shot in the X-Men’s war on the Avengers against the Star-Spangled Hero himself.
As the Avengers take Utopia’s beach, Emma Frost moves Hope inside–assuming the girl, with more questions than answers regarding the Phoenix and what its return means regarding her, will stay put. In short order, the most epic battle in comics since the end of 2008’s Secret Invasion or 2006’s Civil War commences.
Jason Aaron sets up several of the fights to take place in the accompanying Avengers Vs. X-Men: Versus mini-series beginning next week, with several moments in this issue hinting at the outcomes of those fights. He brings Quicksilver into the fray, revealing where the son of Magneto stands in the fight (HINT: There isn’t going to be a reunion of the original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants anytime soon), and teases the entrance of Magneto’s daughter, the Scarlet Witch, with no hint of who she’ll side with.
The highlight of this issue is arguably Aaron’s insights into the match-ups, like calling Emma Frost’s organic diamond form punching Tony Stark’s multi-billion dollar armor the “most expensive punch in history,” playing up the marital dramatics in a fight between Storm and the Black Panther, or pointing out that Wolverine is fighting against an island of characters he once called family.
This initial battle is all for naught, but it does skirt on the idea that Cyclops might potentially become a villain. Much of what he says in this issue sounds like things reformed X-Men über-villain Magneto would say, and he does have his own Juggernaut now in Colossus. With 10 issues to go, the only things that are certain are that several characters are bound to switch sides, Civil War-style, (Hell, it’s even teased in the Cap vs. Wolverine cover for AVX #3) and that things will spiral further out of control.
At this point, my biggest hope (aside from wanting a Cyclops villain turn) is that we at least get a Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 video game out of this in a year or two.
So, two issues into Avengers Vs. X-Men and I can say I’m underwhelmed. What I thought was largely going to be a collaborative effort in bringing two different teams and their vantage points to light has thus far turned into “Cyclops is crazy and the Avengers aren’t.” I don’t buy the angle that Cyclops is losing his mind, or that he’s taking things too far. It paints every X-Man and woman as blind sheep fighting for the cause of a crazy man. Maybe I’m rooting for the little guys, in which case i feel the X-Men are warranted to protect one of their own. The characterization feels off, especially with Cyclops and Wolverine. Again, maybe it’s because I’m in Cyclops’ camp here, but I can’t help but feel like this story feels off.
I do love John Romita Jr.’s work in this series so far. His facial work with females has improved very much. His pencils give all of the energy and intensity you’d expect between a battle of the two most recognizable factions in Marvel. Aaron’s script does provide great narration as Avengers and X-Men beat the hell out of each other. Also, kudos for him creating the Magnetic Fastball Special. Those moments are what I’ve enjoyed about this series so far. He also gave Emma the best line in this issue reflecting the tone I think most X-Men have towards their Avenger counterparts. After Iron Man refers to Hope as “the girl,” Emma responds by telling him that the girl’s name is Hope and that they never requested help in the first place.
We get quick glimpses of Quicksilver and Wanda ,with Quicksilver rushing to join his Avengers team and Wanda walking away from her journal not joining the fight just yet. The journal by the way is called “Wanda’s Dream Journal” (slap forehead with hand) there are more than a few of these moments in this issue that make you cringe. As I said in my opinion this book hasn’t delivered the goods just yet with the story. It’s a pain to see characters like Quicksilver, who was actually insane (anyone remember House of M?), fighting along side Avenger’s while Cyclops is characterized as a mad man losing touch with his reality.
I’m hoping next issue improves a bit and makes the reason for this fight a bit less one-sided. With the cover to issue #3 showing Cap fighting Wolverine, it will be interesting to see why he defends the X-Men after dropping down and beating up the same students he defended during Schism. As I said, as a fight book this is fun. As an event that is supposed to change Marvel’s landscape for the next year…not so much.
You’d think that after joining an Avengers team, things would be looking up for Flash Thompson. Unfortunately, he’s about to get the ride of his life thanks to team of six villains (sound familiar?).
