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She-Hulk #28 (Marvel - David / Semeiks / Meikis / Sotomayor)

Tracking down the mysterious bomber who attacked her in New York City, She-Hulk finds herself in prison – and the story of why she left her legal career behind finally begins to come to light.

If you watched my body language when I read She-Hulk, you would not know how much respect and admiration I have for Peter David. He is literally a legend… but this issue is pretty close to filler. Jenn is stuck in prison because someone higher up the “clan destine” ladder stabber her in the back. She-Hulk trying to find the bright part about being a good guy is becoming a reoccuring theme. The best part of the book is when Jenn gets to make up trash about the Juggernaut to try to quell her cell mate.

Issue Grade: C

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Ultimate Fantastic Four #53 (Marvel - Carey / Kirkham / Regla / Blond)

The conclusion to the Cosmic Cube Thanos saga! Mr. Fantastic is M.I.A. The Invisible Woman and the Human Torch have gone over to the dark side. That leaves only one man—the Thing—to wrest the all-powerful Cosmic Cube from the clutches of the mad god Thanos!

Marvel’s description is not quite on the money, but it was a great issue anyways! After the first “Ultimate Thanos” trip o’ so many issue ago, I thought I would swear off of the storyline forever. But Mike Carey did an incredible job in this arc of giving us a visit back to the “galactic god” setting that was adventurous and suspenseful. Not to mention a very classic “Reed Richards finds a solution to the unbeatable problem” ending. This run is credit and must read for Ultimate Universe fans everywhere!

Starting next issue, Mike Perkins (Captain America) starts up a a story arc dealing with the Mole Man and Ultimate Agatha Harkness… and if you don’t know who Agatha is, find a real Fantastic Four fan and ask them!

Issue Grade: A

HULK #3 ( Marvel / Loeb / McGuinness / Vines)

Not a flashback! Not a dream! Together again for the first time! The battle you NEVER thought you’d see — The Hulk Vs. The Abomination! But…wait, we’ve seen that lots of times! Well… No you HAVE NOT. And it isn’t just because superstars Jeph Loeb & Ed McGuinness are bringing it to you for the first time — it’s because if you’ve been reading the Hulk (yes, we know there’s one or two of you), it CAN’T be possible! But it is — AND IN COLOR — LOTS OF THEM! The pulse-pounding, gamma-spawned action adventure continues in Hulk #3!!!

Wow…This book has big action, big color, lots of big strong guys, and just enough story to fill a thimble with. Ugh! So in-case you haven’t been following along, Banner is in no way the Red Hulk. We get a possible hint on who he is on the first page when Commander Hill let Stark know that 3 people were missing during the attack on the helicarrier (last issue). They are S.H.I.E.L.D Agent Clay Quartermain, Doc Samson, and General Thunderbolt Ross. Two pages later we see a recording of Doc Samson and Ross grilling an incarcerated Banner on the identity of the Red Hulk. Hmmm, where could the missing Quartermain be? I really hope it’s not that obvious.

Grade: C

Series Grade: B-

Thor #8 (Marvel -  Straczynski / Djurdjevic / Miki)

The God of Thunder keeps sizzling off the stands! Part two of a two-part arc by writer J. Michael Straczynski (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) with sumptuous art by DAREDEVIL cover artist Marko Djurdjevic sees the mighty Thor ruling over a newly glorious Asgard and all its people! But what danger has risen on the horizon of its American heartland surroundings? And how will Thor equip himself to face it??

It took me a bit to get to the comic review this week, and then when I did get around to reading most of it was horrible in some form or another. Not Thor! Thor #8 is by far the best book I read this week. This is the second issue of the “Father Issues” story arc that finds Thor and Odin having a father/son talk about the future of Odin and of Asgard. With a Marvel’s take on the history of Odin, to the big reveal of the whereabouts of the Lady Sif, this issue was great. Not only do we get some great character development, but we also see some big action with Thor and Odin vs. Surtur.

Grade: A

Series Grade: A

X-Factor #30 (Marvel - David / De Landro / Hennessy / Cox)

As Rictor faces down death underneath a rapidly lowering, swinging blade, the rest of the team finds themselves in a Mutant Town transformed into the vicious Murderworld of the diabolical ARCADE! But who has hired the red-haired assassin to take out our heroes? This issue ends with an explosive finale that will literally change the landscape of New York City.

I don’t usually read the X-books, but being an old-school comics fans… you know I got to love Arcade. I was aware Peter David was doing X-Factor, which is a selling-point… but when one of the most under-rated villains of all time was there, I knew I would have to be too! I was glad to see that Arcade had not traded up his all white carni-suit and polka-dotted bow tie… I know that it might be a bit too old-school, but living up to the reputation Valentine De Landro made it look good!

Peter David is also in top form here, having a splintered X-Factor team deal with one of the most creative, imaginative and psychotic assassins ever. I will beware Arcade’s “Fail-safe plan” and prepare to get the trade when it comes out! My only criticism of the book is that it flew along… over before I was done savoring it.

Issue Grade: A-

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The Dresden Files ( Dabel Brothers / Butcher / Syaf / Pimentel)

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things — and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a — well, whatever.  There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get… interesting. Magic. It can get a guy killed.

My knowledge of The Dresden Files extends only as far as the SciFi show that lasted only one season, but I enjoyed the hell of the show. On my large stack of novels I’d like to read, The Dresden files are towards the top. Knowing that there are a slew of novels out there also means that the world Harry Dresden lives in is very flushed out and all the background characters have full rich back stories.   I was afraid that all this pre-existing material may make the material inaccessible to those who haven’t read the novels, I happy to be wrong.  Novelist turned comic scribe Jim Butcher, also the writer of the Dresden novels, does dump the readers into established relationships, but uses Dresden’s inner monologue to let readers in on what’s happening. While this may be tedious to long time Dresden fans, we new readers greatly appreciate it. The story is compelling as it drops bits and pieces of back story along the way while still moving the present case forward. Plus, the cliffhanger is one the makes the reader want to scramble for the next issue.The pencils by Ardian Syaf and inks by Joe Pimentel set the mood for the book nicely.  If they keep up this pace, then the wizard duels will be something to see.

Grade: B+

It would seem that Marvel is taking a classic play out of the DC handbook… come on who doesn’t like it when apes attack!

From Marvel NYCC ‘08 - It’s a jungle out there.

Where’s “there,” exactly? Why, none other than the wittily warped world of MARVEL APES, of course! Marvel’s latest and greatest four-issue limited that, well—why don’t we let writer Karl Kesel (DAREDEVIL, FANTASTIC FOUR) tell you in his own words?

“MARVEL APES is the sensational simian mini-series of the season!” reports Kesel. “It’s four issues of furry fury and feces-flingin’ fun! It’s all your favorite Marvel characters—as you’ve never seen them before! If you only buy one mini-series next October about intelligent, super-powered apes and monkeys – it must be MARVEL APES!”

Kesel’s artistic partner on this ape-tastic series is none other than the multi-talented Ramon Bachs, most recently familiar to Marvel fans for WORLD WAR HULK: FRONTLINE.

“You thought everything was already done and nothing new could be created,” questions the artist. “You were wrong!”

Read the rest of this entry »

Avengers: The Initiative #11 (Marvel - Slott / Gage / Rudoni / Caramagna)

“Killed in Action” Part 4 of 4 Worst Case Scenario. By now you know who KIA is, what he wants, and who he’s killed. Initiative regulars, new recruits, and big name characters: no one’s been safe. And that’s never been more true than here at the bitter end. Join what’s left of the Initiative as they and the MIGHTY AVENGERS try to stop their greatest threat.

So we have watched K.I.A…. ahem a MVP clone go on a rampage for three issues and spread death and destruction in his wake to take care of his list. Big finish right? Right?… Well, I wouldn’t say big finish, I could say cool finish or good finish, but not big finish… let me tell you why. The past three issues, not to mention this series as a whole, has been characterized by big battles and major slugfest! The beginning of KIA’s downfall doesn’t start with a punch, but with a kiss. Actually Dan Slott and Christos Gage some very interesting and creative ways for a bunch of rookies to succeed where veterans like the Mighty Avengers failed.  And then for the second time in the series you have an out-of-the-box plot twist involving Slapstick.

On top of the creative plot devices, you have the great character development and believable interactions… the writing in the Initiative is so smooth, it’s easy to forget there is something like sixteen main characters here.  To reinforce and support the great story, you have the in-you-face art of one very talented Daniele Rudoni.  Simply put, if you aren’t getting this book, you should!

Issue Grade: A

Series Grade: A

Marvel, in collaboration with Soliel (an out-of-the-box acclaimed comic publisher from France), are bringing some highly praised and cutting edge sci-fi and fantasy books to the American audience in 2008.  This week in stores is a Soleil FREE preview copy giving a sneak peak at the four upcoming series.  Well worth your time to get it!

Press release:  Some of Soleil’s most popular releases, such as Sky Doll, Universal War One, Samurai and Le Fleau Des Dieux, make their English language debuts beginning this May. The first release will be Sky Doll #1 (of 3), a timely socio-political thriller in which a young android must decide her destiny by challenging the very government—and faith—that has controlled her life.
Soleil appeared on the comic scene in 1988 and quickly moved into publishing both classic comics by hot, young talent and series targeted towards younger audiences before buying great classics (Mandrake, Tarzan). Publishing science fiction, heroic fantasy, westerns and action comics from superstars such as Arleston, Tarquin, Mourier, Crisse, Swolfs and Ange, in addition to promising young talent, Soleil quickly established itself with a catalogue of powerful graphic novels.   Lanfeust, Soleil flagship fantasy title, is today a standard reference series and the keystone of the company: over 5 million books sold since 1994.   A top comic book publishing company in France with thousands of comic books in its catalogue, Soleil is producing over 250 new books per year and keeps expanding in other worldwide markets. Over the years, the company has positioned itself as both a leader in the fantasy genre and a major force in the European comic book market. Marvel.com

Sky-Doll #1 (of 3) May, 2008  The Story: The internationally acclaimed best-seller is now finally presented in English! Meet Noa, a so-called Sky Doll; a life-like female android without rights, who exists only to serve the State’s needs and desires. But when Noa meets two so-called “missionaries” who aid in her escape from her tyrannical master, all hell breaks loose for our cyborg siren as she uncovers clues that she may be much more than just a robotic toy. The first release in a new partnership between Marvel and cutting-edge French publisher Soleil!   Mature Content …$5.99