wktf
03-02-2006, 12:04 PM
Sam Wilson’s Review’s
A slow week this week, the most notable titles (for me anyway) would include the new Ms. Marvel series, The Punisher MAX (new story arc), and The Outsiders (final issue before “one year later”). It’s also worth noting there are new issues of Y the Last Man, Warren Ellis’s Next Wave and the Ultimates 2. My pick of the week is X-Factor #4 ( go Peter David go!), and that being said, on to the reviews…
X-Factor issue #4
Marvel Comics
Written by: Peter David
Drawn by: Ryan Sook
For those of you who don’t remember, this is the second time Peter David has revamped X-Factor, the first time being over a decade ago in X-Factor issue #71, when the original X-men went back to the X-men and Havok, Polaris and a few other became “X-Factor”. Peter David is at it again, this time with a whole new spin, the new twist on “X-Factor” coming from his recent Maddrox limited series. You know, Jamie Maddrox, everyone’s favorite multiple man who first appeared in the Fantastic Four and spend most of his life hiding out on Muir Island with Moria McTaggart. In David’s recent Maddrox limited series Jamie was living in Mutant Town, the mutant ghetto in New York City, and running a shady detective agency. Under his employ were Rhane Sinclair (Wolfsbane from the New Mutants) and Strong Guy (from Peter David’s first revamp of “X-Factor”). Well, things have changed a little. The events of the “House of M” crossover have reduced the mutant population by 90%, and at the same time Jamie finds himself flush with cash and wanting to expand his business. In addition to Wolfsbane and Strong Guy, Jamie hired Theresa Cassidy (Syrin) and Monet St. Croix (M from Generation X) and has recruited Rusty (recently de-powered, a mutant charge of the old X-factor). Also joining the team is the little girl Layla Miller from the “House of M” crossover. Apparently “she knows things”, and thus we join or heroes in issue four…
So far in the first three issues of X-factor the team has slowly come together and got themselves their first client, Gloria Santiago, who may or may not have murdered her own sister. Gloria was involved with Jack Vaughn, a movie star who also may or may not be involved in Gloria’s sister’s murder, but he is insisting it’s all on Gloria. Singularity Investigations and their VP Damien Tryp, a cat who is pretty much an all around slimeball, are representing Jack Vaughn. During all this rioting breaks out in mutant town; things haven’t been good since the events of “House of M”, mobs of anti-mutant bigots have been causing trouble there forcing X-factor members Rhane Sinclair (Wolfsbane) and Strong Guy to intervene. Then an assassin working for Singularity Investigations tries to assassinate Rictor and is dealt with most nastily by Layla Miller, you know, the chick who knows things. (Deep breath) Okay, now with that out of the way, lets get on to issue five…
Issue five has Monet picking Gloria Santiago’s brain to find out who the real murderer is. Rhane and Strong Guy have a stand off with the NYPD and some anti-mutant bigots and Syrin and Jamie Maddrox are trying to hold it all together. Jamie resists using his power because as we found out earlier, not all of his dupes are on the same page. Monet stays true to form but also opens up a rarely seen side of her, and something real, real bad happens to Syrin at the end. Yeah, buy this. Of all the things to come out of “House of M” this is probably my favorite. Peter David stagnated for awhile after his epic run on “The Incredible Hulk” but all the things that made him great are back. The fresh dialogue, the characterization, the human quality he has always brought to his stories, all present and very vivid in his new X-factor series. Do yourself a favor and check this book out, you won’t be disappointed.
Y the Last Man #43
DC/Vertigo Comics
Written by: Brian K. Vaughn
Drawn by: Goran Sdzuka
For those of you who haven’t been paying attention, Y the Last Man is this century's Preacher for DC/Vertigo. It’s epic, engrossing, suspenseful and has a definite conclusion, but will definitely go for as long as it has to before it gets there. In a nutshell, “Y” is about Yorick brown, the last man on Earth. See, there was this huge plague, and it killed all male creatures on Earth, except for Yorick and his pet monkey, Ampersand. Yorick isn’t your average joe though, his mom was a congresswoman, and after the plague she was the highest member of the United States government left alive so she then became the President. After the plague hit (the men died within days) Yorick carefully made his way to DC to figure things out. His mother promptly sent him on a mission to save mankind (no pressure) with Agent 355, a highly trained operative of the US Government who belongs to an agency called “the Culper Ring”. No idea what they’re about, but they’re mysterious. So Yorick makes his way cross-country with Agent 355 to a Dr. Leslie Mann in San Francisco, the Earth’s foremost expert on human cloning, only all her research gets destroyed. She has back up research in Japan, so off they go in hopes to save humanity. Along the way they have run into by Amazons, crazed right-wingers, the Israeli’s and Pirates (yes, Pirates). No one said saving the world would be easy…
Recently in “Y” Yorick has made it to Australia to search for Beth, his girlfriend and didn’t find her. Instead he got his picture taken by a tabloid journalist only to have agent 355 smack the snot out of her. Then we got the origin of 355 which was, well pretty bad a$#ed quite honestly and in issue #42 we have the origin of Ampersand, Yorick's monkey and thus far the only other male to survive the plague. In issue #43 a new storyline starts and the search for Ampersand resumes with the crew in Japan, 355 and Yorick decide to split up from Dr. Mann and her newfound ladyfriend Rose (whose with the Australian Royal Navy). York and 355 decide to follow Ampersand’s trail, and Dr. Mann and Rose go to look for Dr. Mann’s mother, a leading Geneticist whom Ampersand may or may not be on his way too. 355 starts to grow suspicious of Rose and exchanges some witty dialogue with Yorick, Rose and Dr. Mann seem to be falling in love (or are they?) and well, I can’t really reveal the ending. You’re going to have to buy the book yourself for that one.
So enough already, pick up the book. With a new storyline starting, now is the perfect jumping on point. There are tpb’s collecting all the storylines thus far. It’s a no-brainer. It’s good, well written, well drawn, and damn entertaining.
The American Way #1
DC/Wildstorm Comics
Written by: John Ridley
Drawn by: Georges Jeanty
Even though this book came out last week, I felt it deserved a proper review so I’m gonna write it up this week, so without further ado…
For those of you who care, John Ridley wrote and directed one of my favorite movies ever, “The Three Kings” (Desert Storm movie with Mark Walhburg, George Clooney and Ice Cube). “Three Kings” was kinda like “Kelly’s Heroes” but with more heart, a lot more grey and was easily one of the most overlooked movies of its time. Comic writer Christopher Priest has often cited “Three Kings” as his inspiration for his “Crew” series (the short-lived Marvel book featuring Jim Rhodes, Josiah X, Kasper Cole and a few other lower tier Marvel characters who were much loved, but apparently not loved by enough). Anyway, The American Way is Ridley’s second foray into the comics genre, his first being the “Authority” OGN “Human on the Inside” (which was pretty good, check it out). Like “Three Kings” and his other work, Ridley’s The American Way is vaguely political, historically based and always intelligent.
The American Way opens in 1961 with the story of the ICON, a new concept car and its creator, Wesley Catham. The ICON was going to be the next hot automobile, but that fell flat. An alien attack on the earth at several locations at the same time, including the auto show debuting the ICON, messed that up. Yes, the Civil Defense Corps, the US’s own home grown super-team, repelled the attack, but the debut of the ICON would forever be associated with that day, and soon Wesley Catham found himself without a job, but not for long; which is fine and great but who the heck are the Civil Defense Corps (CDC)?
With members including space aliens and mini-skirt clad women, the CDC is this Earth’s ‘60’s version of the Avengers and the JLA. They are they heroes of the United States, having repelled many attacks, and always prevailed. From natural disasters to Nazi’s, the CDC has been there for the US, and has put them in a place of prominence as far as world power ranking, because it’s rough having to keep up with the Russian’s advances in space technology and nuclear weaponry, unfortunately there is one whole caveat to the CDC I have not mentioned yet. They are a fraud. A fiction. Sure their powers are real, even there “exploits” are real (as much as pro-wrestling is real, or choreographed I should say), but everything they do, manufactured by the American propaganda machine since World War 2.
This brings us back to Wesley Catham, he was lucky enough to have been friends with Robert Kennedy, currently our nation’s Attorney General, now offered the task of keeping up the charade, and given charge of the hype machine that keeps America sleeping safe, and so it begins. Ridley has really outdone himself with this intricate, well plotted out story, and this opening issue serves as a perfect set up. George Jeanty’s art is beautiful as well, and I for one will be sticking with this series for as long as it is around and give it my highest possible recommendation.
Wktf’s Reviews
Not really a huge week for me. Most notable was Ms. Marvel #1, Ultimates 2 #10 (finally) and Infinite Crisis #5. I also picked up Books of Doom #4, The Last Adventures of Superman #649 (for the tie-in to IC), Batman Annual #25 to see if the Jason Todd survival story was as good as Bucky’s and Detective Comics #817 to get a tasted of DC’s 1 Year Later.
Ultimates 2 #10
Marvel Comics
Written by: Mark Millar
Drawn by: Bryan Hitch
Yeah, sure, this book is painfully late. But it’s just so damn good! In fact, even over Infinite Crisis this book is my pick of the week. Quick recap time for those who need it: Nick Fury has had the post Skrull invasion Ultimates, riding high on a wave of positive public opinion, act as the US’ international police force, spreading our brand of justice and democracy throughout the world. Turns out, certain power factions across the globe have taken serious offense to this and orchestrated a multi-pronged retaliatory effort against the United States. First, an international group of Ultimate style super soldiers called the Axis of Evil have been created to include Red Guardian, Crimson Dynamo, and Abomination, among others to launch a preemptive strike against the US. We could pause a moment and reflect on Mark Millar’s opinion of President Bush’s war efforts but I think this paragraph thus far leaves little doubt about this.
In addition, The Ultimates have been picked off like flies: Hawkeye’s family’s been murdered and he’s been captured, Captain America is framed for this crime and captured, Thor is taken down and held prisoner without his hammer and belt of strength, The Hulk’s been executed (see my partner’s review of Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk for the scoop on this), Iron Man/Stark is about to be killed by his traitorous fiancée Black Widow with whom Giant Man’s been in communication. America’s heroes are gone and America has just been successfully invaded. This is as desperate a situation as you’ll find in comics.
This issue begins what appears to be the road back and, like all the prior issues, this one’s a beauty. We get a little more insight into what’s driving the invading forces (you almost can’t fault their motivation, Fury’s been a class-A power monger) but more importantly we see the incredible means a select few of our heroes use to win their freedom. Most especially brutal are Tony Stark and Hawkeye who’s shaping up to be every bit as dangerous as the Marvel Universe’s Bullseye. And the little Captain America cliff hanger leaves you jonesin’ for the next issue. As the saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures and you don’t get much more desperate than The Ultimates right now. Millar’s story is really building up steam and Hitch’s art is just amazing on a grand scale, kind of like a wide screen movie. Since we have only two more issues left I wouldn’t recommend buying this issue but be sure to pick up the trade when it hits. You won’t regret it.
Infinite Crisis #5
DC Comics
Written by: Geoff Johns
Drawn by: Phil Jiminez, Jerry Ordway & Ivan Reis
The George Perez cover of the two Supermen’s slugging it out should be enough to cause anyone to purchase this issue. What a cover! Inside this issue, multiple worlds appear, heroes are created and some just disappear, characters congregate first in a church and then in separate factions to try to take some control over what are happening to the multiverse, and multiple story lines continue to weave more tightly together. Of course, the big draw of this issue is the battle between Superman and Superman 2 the latter of whom believes all should now be well now that his Earth has been recreated, and is in for the most horrible of reality checks. Frankly, Superman 2 has been coming off as a coldly calculating villain in Superman’s own titles. Here, while on the offensive, he becomes a far more sympathetic character which I’m really glad to see.
Like all the prior issues, this one throws everything but the kitchen sink at the reader. There are parallel Supermen and even, surprisingly, parallel Wonder Women. Batman is organizing a strike force against Brother Eye. Alexander Luthor is working hard to recreate the entire mutiverse and we learn Earth 2 Superman is his key to success. It’s all a bit confusing still but really a hell of a ride. Some great touches in this issue include a cool Action #1 cover tribute scene, some baffling contradictory scenes involving the Earth 1 Superboy, the appearance again of Barry Allen and the return of foe I’d thought previously dispatched. Finally, the various united forces that crashed through to Earth 1 in the first issue seem to be united no longer which only adds to the conflict and tension.
As good as this issue is, and it’s a really great read, it’s not without its problems. First, it seems that Jiminez is having trouble staying on schedule as evidenced by the assists this issue by Ordway and Reis. I’m a fan of Ordway’s 1980s Superman and Power of Shazam art but for big events like this I’d like more consistency in the art. I did actually feel this issue lost some steam compared to the prior issues, especially considering the incredibly dynamic Perez cover. I was really excited about what I thought would be a climactic confrontation between the two Supermen but was a little under-whelmed by its brevity and, frankly, found the meeting between the two Wonder Women far more interesting and revealing. I just don’t get how Earth 1 Superboy could be in the situation he was in with Luthor at the beginning and appear with Nightwing toward the end. The final page would have been cooler if it hadn’t been spoiled by DC Direct’s action figure releases. And, finally, am I the only one starting to experience Infinite Crisis burnout? It’s smart of DC not to make this a 12 issue series after the Countdown, OMAC/Sacrifice, Villains United, etc., build up but I’m starting to really want this thing to conclude so all of us can move on with our lives. Still, it’s amazing that this DC Universe-wide event has stayed as truly high quality as it has for so long. Even with all the problems I just listed, Infinite Crisis continues to be the comic book event series that delivers all the goods.
Books of Doom #4 of 6
Marvel Comics
Written by: Ed Brubaker
Drawn by: Pablo Raimondi
Brubaker continues to show that he may be Marvel’s smartest creative move. First he knocks the lights out with Captain America. He also picks up Daredevil and Uncanny X-Men and does an outstanding job on DD (I don’t read any X-book outside of Astonishing) and, with Books of Doom, he shows us how he can take a character who’s history and origin are known painfully well and tell an origin story that remains absolutely true to Lee/Kirby’s origin and yet inject enough into it to make it read like a brand new story.
With this issue, after the pain of persecution, losing his mother to a hellish demon and father to overexposure to the elements, his rejection from the American university, and his separation from the woman he loves (see the FF “Unthinkable” arc to learn what ultimately happens to her) Victor Von Doom has left civilization in search of a mysterious monastery (if it weren’t for the Lee/Kirby origin story of decades ago one might claim this is a Batman Begins rip off) to learn the ways of science and sorcery that will enable him to assume his place as one of the most powerful and feared men on the planet. All the great Doom trappings are here: his hatred and jealousy of Reed Richards, his arrogance and disdain for other, his genius and leadership, and his bitterness and anger at the world. And it is in this issue that Victor Von Doom forges his armor to transform into the creature we love to hate. He is a villain with a score to settle in a way that should guarantee the Latverian thrown.
If anything, this series should cause Marvel to consider an ongoing Doom series, such as Lee and Kirby attempted a few decades ago. Frankly, if Brubaker was at the helm such a title would stand a good chance of succeeding. Seriously, for those who love the villain Doom, you should be reading this mini-series. Though it tells a familiar tale, it’s also a fresh and thrilling one in Brubaker’s and Raimondi’s able hands.
* * * * * * * *
Please be sure to check out bat_collector's good/bad/ugly reviews found here: http://www.statueforum.com/showthread.php?t=24522
A slow week this week, the most notable titles (for me anyway) would include the new Ms. Marvel series, The Punisher MAX (new story arc), and The Outsiders (final issue before “one year later”). It’s also worth noting there are new issues of Y the Last Man, Warren Ellis’s Next Wave and the Ultimates 2. My pick of the week is X-Factor #4 ( go Peter David go!), and that being said, on to the reviews…
X-Factor issue #4
Marvel Comics
Written by: Peter David
Drawn by: Ryan Sook
For those of you who don’t remember, this is the second time Peter David has revamped X-Factor, the first time being over a decade ago in X-Factor issue #71, when the original X-men went back to the X-men and Havok, Polaris and a few other became “X-Factor”. Peter David is at it again, this time with a whole new spin, the new twist on “X-Factor” coming from his recent Maddrox limited series. You know, Jamie Maddrox, everyone’s favorite multiple man who first appeared in the Fantastic Four and spend most of his life hiding out on Muir Island with Moria McTaggart. In David’s recent Maddrox limited series Jamie was living in Mutant Town, the mutant ghetto in New York City, and running a shady detective agency. Under his employ were Rhane Sinclair (Wolfsbane from the New Mutants) and Strong Guy (from Peter David’s first revamp of “X-Factor”). Well, things have changed a little. The events of the “House of M” crossover have reduced the mutant population by 90%, and at the same time Jamie finds himself flush with cash and wanting to expand his business. In addition to Wolfsbane and Strong Guy, Jamie hired Theresa Cassidy (Syrin) and Monet St. Croix (M from Generation X) and has recruited Rusty (recently de-powered, a mutant charge of the old X-factor). Also joining the team is the little girl Layla Miller from the “House of M” crossover. Apparently “she knows things”, and thus we join or heroes in issue four…
So far in the first three issues of X-factor the team has slowly come together and got themselves their first client, Gloria Santiago, who may or may not have murdered her own sister. Gloria was involved with Jack Vaughn, a movie star who also may or may not be involved in Gloria’s sister’s murder, but he is insisting it’s all on Gloria. Singularity Investigations and their VP Damien Tryp, a cat who is pretty much an all around slimeball, are representing Jack Vaughn. During all this rioting breaks out in mutant town; things haven’t been good since the events of “House of M”, mobs of anti-mutant bigots have been causing trouble there forcing X-factor members Rhane Sinclair (Wolfsbane) and Strong Guy to intervene. Then an assassin working for Singularity Investigations tries to assassinate Rictor and is dealt with most nastily by Layla Miller, you know, the chick who knows things. (Deep breath) Okay, now with that out of the way, lets get on to issue five…
Issue five has Monet picking Gloria Santiago’s brain to find out who the real murderer is. Rhane and Strong Guy have a stand off with the NYPD and some anti-mutant bigots and Syrin and Jamie Maddrox are trying to hold it all together. Jamie resists using his power because as we found out earlier, not all of his dupes are on the same page. Monet stays true to form but also opens up a rarely seen side of her, and something real, real bad happens to Syrin at the end. Yeah, buy this. Of all the things to come out of “House of M” this is probably my favorite. Peter David stagnated for awhile after his epic run on “The Incredible Hulk” but all the things that made him great are back. The fresh dialogue, the characterization, the human quality he has always brought to his stories, all present and very vivid in his new X-factor series. Do yourself a favor and check this book out, you won’t be disappointed.
Y the Last Man #43
DC/Vertigo Comics
Written by: Brian K. Vaughn
Drawn by: Goran Sdzuka
For those of you who haven’t been paying attention, Y the Last Man is this century's Preacher for DC/Vertigo. It’s epic, engrossing, suspenseful and has a definite conclusion, but will definitely go for as long as it has to before it gets there. In a nutshell, “Y” is about Yorick brown, the last man on Earth. See, there was this huge plague, and it killed all male creatures on Earth, except for Yorick and his pet monkey, Ampersand. Yorick isn’t your average joe though, his mom was a congresswoman, and after the plague she was the highest member of the United States government left alive so she then became the President. After the plague hit (the men died within days) Yorick carefully made his way to DC to figure things out. His mother promptly sent him on a mission to save mankind (no pressure) with Agent 355, a highly trained operative of the US Government who belongs to an agency called “the Culper Ring”. No idea what they’re about, but they’re mysterious. So Yorick makes his way cross-country with Agent 355 to a Dr. Leslie Mann in San Francisco, the Earth’s foremost expert on human cloning, only all her research gets destroyed. She has back up research in Japan, so off they go in hopes to save humanity. Along the way they have run into by Amazons, crazed right-wingers, the Israeli’s and Pirates (yes, Pirates). No one said saving the world would be easy…
Recently in “Y” Yorick has made it to Australia to search for Beth, his girlfriend and didn’t find her. Instead he got his picture taken by a tabloid journalist only to have agent 355 smack the snot out of her. Then we got the origin of 355 which was, well pretty bad a$#ed quite honestly and in issue #42 we have the origin of Ampersand, Yorick's monkey and thus far the only other male to survive the plague. In issue #43 a new storyline starts and the search for Ampersand resumes with the crew in Japan, 355 and Yorick decide to split up from Dr. Mann and her newfound ladyfriend Rose (whose with the Australian Royal Navy). York and 355 decide to follow Ampersand’s trail, and Dr. Mann and Rose go to look for Dr. Mann’s mother, a leading Geneticist whom Ampersand may or may not be on his way too. 355 starts to grow suspicious of Rose and exchanges some witty dialogue with Yorick, Rose and Dr. Mann seem to be falling in love (or are they?) and well, I can’t really reveal the ending. You’re going to have to buy the book yourself for that one.
So enough already, pick up the book. With a new storyline starting, now is the perfect jumping on point. There are tpb’s collecting all the storylines thus far. It’s a no-brainer. It’s good, well written, well drawn, and damn entertaining.
The American Way #1
DC/Wildstorm Comics
Written by: John Ridley
Drawn by: Georges Jeanty
Even though this book came out last week, I felt it deserved a proper review so I’m gonna write it up this week, so without further ado…
For those of you who care, John Ridley wrote and directed one of my favorite movies ever, “The Three Kings” (Desert Storm movie with Mark Walhburg, George Clooney and Ice Cube). “Three Kings” was kinda like “Kelly’s Heroes” but with more heart, a lot more grey and was easily one of the most overlooked movies of its time. Comic writer Christopher Priest has often cited “Three Kings” as his inspiration for his “Crew” series (the short-lived Marvel book featuring Jim Rhodes, Josiah X, Kasper Cole and a few other lower tier Marvel characters who were much loved, but apparently not loved by enough). Anyway, The American Way is Ridley’s second foray into the comics genre, his first being the “Authority” OGN “Human on the Inside” (which was pretty good, check it out). Like “Three Kings” and his other work, Ridley’s The American Way is vaguely political, historically based and always intelligent.
The American Way opens in 1961 with the story of the ICON, a new concept car and its creator, Wesley Catham. The ICON was going to be the next hot automobile, but that fell flat. An alien attack on the earth at several locations at the same time, including the auto show debuting the ICON, messed that up. Yes, the Civil Defense Corps, the US’s own home grown super-team, repelled the attack, but the debut of the ICON would forever be associated with that day, and soon Wesley Catham found himself without a job, but not for long; which is fine and great but who the heck are the Civil Defense Corps (CDC)?
With members including space aliens and mini-skirt clad women, the CDC is this Earth’s ‘60’s version of the Avengers and the JLA. They are they heroes of the United States, having repelled many attacks, and always prevailed. From natural disasters to Nazi’s, the CDC has been there for the US, and has put them in a place of prominence as far as world power ranking, because it’s rough having to keep up with the Russian’s advances in space technology and nuclear weaponry, unfortunately there is one whole caveat to the CDC I have not mentioned yet. They are a fraud. A fiction. Sure their powers are real, even there “exploits” are real (as much as pro-wrestling is real, or choreographed I should say), but everything they do, manufactured by the American propaganda machine since World War 2.
This brings us back to Wesley Catham, he was lucky enough to have been friends with Robert Kennedy, currently our nation’s Attorney General, now offered the task of keeping up the charade, and given charge of the hype machine that keeps America sleeping safe, and so it begins. Ridley has really outdone himself with this intricate, well plotted out story, and this opening issue serves as a perfect set up. George Jeanty’s art is beautiful as well, and I for one will be sticking with this series for as long as it is around and give it my highest possible recommendation.
Wktf’s Reviews
Not really a huge week for me. Most notable was Ms. Marvel #1, Ultimates 2 #10 (finally) and Infinite Crisis #5. I also picked up Books of Doom #4, The Last Adventures of Superman #649 (for the tie-in to IC), Batman Annual #25 to see if the Jason Todd survival story was as good as Bucky’s and Detective Comics #817 to get a tasted of DC’s 1 Year Later.
Ultimates 2 #10
Marvel Comics
Written by: Mark Millar
Drawn by: Bryan Hitch
Yeah, sure, this book is painfully late. But it’s just so damn good! In fact, even over Infinite Crisis this book is my pick of the week. Quick recap time for those who need it: Nick Fury has had the post Skrull invasion Ultimates, riding high on a wave of positive public opinion, act as the US’ international police force, spreading our brand of justice and democracy throughout the world. Turns out, certain power factions across the globe have taken serious offense to this and orchestrated a multi-pronged retaliatory effort against the United States. First, an international group of Ultimate style super soldiers called the Axis of Evil have been created to include Red Guardian, Crimson Dynamo, and Abomination, among others to launch a preemptive strike against the US. We could pause a moment and reflect on Mark Millar’s opinion of President Bush’s war efforts but I think this paragraph thus far leaves little doubt about this.
In addition, The Ultimates have been picked off like flies: Hawkeye’s family’s been murdered and he’s been captured, Captain America is framed for this crime and captured, Thor is taken down and held prisoner without his hammer and belt of strength, The Hulk’s been executed (see my partner’s review of Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk for the scoop on this), Iron Man/Stark is about to be killed by his traitorous fiancée Black Widow with whom Giant Man’s been in communication. America’s heroes are gone and America has just been successfully invaded. This is as desperate a situation as you’ll find in comics.
This issue begins what appears to be the road back and, like all the prior issues, this one’s a beauty. We get a little more insight into what’s driving the invading forces (you almost can’t fault their motivation, Fury’s been a class-A power monger) but more importantly we see the incredible means a select few of our heroes use to win their freedom. Most especially brutal are Tony Stark and Hawkeye who’s shaping up to be every bit as dangerous as the Marvel Universe’s Bullseye. And the little Captain America cliff hanger leaves you jonesin’ for the next issue. As the saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures and you don’t get much more desperate than The Ultimates right now. Millar’s story is really building up steam and Hitch’s art is just amazing on a grand scale, kind of like a wide screen movie. Since we have only two more issues left I wouldn’t recommend buying this issue but be sure to pick up the trade when it hits. You won’t regret it.
Infinite Crisis #5
DC Comics
Written by: Geoff Johns
Drawn by: Phil Jiminez, Jerry Ordway & Ivan Reis
The George Perez cover of the two Supermen’s slugging it out should be enough to cause anyone to purchase this issue. What a cover! Inside this issue, multiple worlds appear, heroes are created and some just disappear, characters congregate first in a church and then in separate factions to try to take some control over what are happening to the multiverse, and multiple story lines continue to weave more tightly together. Of course, the big draw of this issue is the battle between Superman and Superman 2 the latter of whom believes all should now be well now that his Earth has been recreated, and is in for the most horrible of reality checks. Frankly, Superman 2 has been coming off as a coldly calculating villain in Superman’s own titles. Here, while on the offensive, he becomes a far more sympathetic character which I’m really glad to see.
Like all the prior issues, this one throws everything but the kitchen sink at the reader. There are parallel Supermen and even, surprisingly, parallel Wonder Women. Batman is organizing a strike force against Brother Eye. Alexander Luthor is working hard to recreate the entire mutiverse and we learn Earth 2 Superman is his key to success. It’s all a bit confusing still but really a hell of a ride. Some great touches in this issue include a cool Action #1 cover tribute scene, some baffling contradictory scenes involving the Earth 1 Superboy, the appearance again of Barry Allen and the return of foe I’d thought previously dispatched. Finally, the various united forces that crashed through to Earth 1 in the first issue seem to be united no longer which only adds to the conflict and tension.
As good as this issue is, and it’s a really great read, it’s not without its problems. First, it seems that Jiminez is having trouble staying on schedule as evidenced by the assists this issue by Ordway and Reis. I’m a fan of Ordway’s 1980s Superman and Power of Shazam art but for big events like this I’d like more consistency in the art. I did actually feel this issue lost some steam compared to the prior issues, especially considering the incredibly dynamic Perez cover. I was really excited about what I thought would be a climactic confrontation between the two Supermen but was a little under-whelmed by its brevity and, frankly, found the meeting between the two Wonder Women far more interesting and revealing. I just don’t get how Earth 1 Superboy could be in the situation he was in with Luthor at the beginning and appear with Nightwing toward the end. The final page would have been cooler if it hadn’t been spoiled by DC Direct’s action figure releases. And, finally, am I the only one starting to experience Infinite Crisis burnout? It’s smart of DC not to make this a 12 issue series after the Countdown, OMAC/Sacrifice, Villains United, etc., build up but I’m starting to really want this thing to conclude so all of us can move on with our lives. Still, it’s amazing that this DC Universe-wide event has stayed as truly high quality as it has for so long. Even with all the problems I just listed, Infinite Crisis continues to be the comic book event series that delivers all the goods.
Books of Doom #4 of 6
Marvel Comics
Written by: Ed Brubaker
Drawn by: Pablo Raimondi
Brubaker continues to show that he may be Marvel’s smartest creative move. First he knocks the lights out with Captain America. He also picks up Daredevil and Uncanny X-Men and does an outstanding job on DD (I don’t read any X-book outside of Astonishing) and, with Books of Doom, he shows us how he can take a character who’s history and origin are known painfully well and tell an origin story that remains absolutely true to Lee/Kirby’s origin and yet inject enough into it to make it read like a brand new story.
With this issue, after the pain of persecution, losing his mother to a hellish demon and father to overexposure to the elements, his rejection from the American university, and his separation from the woman he loves (see the FF “Unthinkable” arc to learn what ultimately happens to her) Victor Von Doom has left civilization in search of a mysterious monastery (if it weren’t for the Lee/Kirby origin story of decades ago one might claim this is a Batman Begins rip off) to learn the ways of science and sorcery that will enable him to assume his place as one of the most powerful and feared men on the planet. All the great Doom trappings are here: his hatred and jealousy of Reed Richards, his arrogance and disdain for other, his genius and leadership, and his bitterness and anger at the world. And it is in this issue that Victor Von Doom forges his armor to transform into the creature we love to hate. He is a villain with a score to settle in a way that should guarantee the Latverian thrown.
If anything, this series should cause Marvel to consider an ongoing Doom series, such as Lee and Kirby attempted a few decades ago. Frankly, if Brubaker was at the helm such a title would stand a good chance of succeeding. Seriously, for those who love the villain Doom, you should be reading this mini-series. Though it tells a familiar tale, it’s also a fresh and thrilling one in Brubaker’s and Raimondi’s able hands.
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