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Post by thwhtguardian on Nov 13, 2020 19:42:24 GMT -5
Yeah, it's definitely different than past iterations which does make it a good read and the plane scene was definitely the highlight of the issue but despite that I think it was the lack of peppy Patsy that kind of threw off the balance a bit for me...that and I'm not a huge fan of Korvac and felt that the reveal that he was the mastermind behind the D-List villains just felt random. Still a fun book overall though. It's funny how time changes our perceptions. Controller, Blizzard, and Unicorn used to be at least B-List villains in the Iron Man run, but their status has definitely dropped as the decades marched on. A couple of years ago, when I was doing my Captain America review thread, I wrote about how Batroc used to be an actual threat to Steve, while over the ensuing years, he's become little more than a punchline as power creep has taken over and the threats always need to be bigger, Bigger, BIGGER!!!!!! It's one of the things that make DC and Marvel so different; I think it's fairly common for Marvel heroes to go through phases with villains where as with a character like Batman it's fairly consistent. |
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Post by wildfire2099 on Nov 13, 2020 19:45:14 GMT -5
Iron Man #3Written by Christopher Cantwell Art by Cafu Summary: Tony and Patsy travel out to the lightning farm and find their investment is riskier than they thought.
Plot: I've been digging this series so far, loving its smaller take on Tony and his relationship with Hellcat...but the downer characterization of Tony kind of seemed a bit much three issues in. Some readers had picked up on that characterization in the earlier issues but in those entries I felt it was balanced out by Hellcat's peppy attitude and heavy doses of Saturday morning cartoon like action. And while there was action here, it was of the more brutal variety so coupled with Tony's depressed state and Patsy's own moodier characterization the balance was gone and it all kind of felt muddy and the revelation of Korvac did little for me.
Art: Despite not loving the plot Cafu's art continues to be beautiful. I don't know if I'll be on this book for the long haul but if I do I think Cafu will be the reason why.
Grade: 6/10 I agree I like the art, but the story is just downright bad. I get the montage of villains, but why would you make sure to mention the big plotline of the last series, which featured the controller as the big bad guy, then use HIM as a random minion? There's plenty of guys to choose from to put in that slot. It's also a bit to relentlessly depressing for me... having problems and overcoming them is what it's all about, of course, but mopey everyone hates me Tony Stark is just not fun. They've got one more issue until I think I'm out until the next writer. |
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Post by wildfire2099 on Nov 13, 2020 19:55:39 GMT -5
So I'm back on the wagon... set up a (small) pull list at the new local store to see if I can help'em out to survive.
Strange Academy #5 : I really dig the concept of this book, and the scene with Brother Voodoo calling out Doctor Strange about his purpose of the school (which, so far, is an ACTUAL school, not a training camp for a paramilitary organization like the X-Men), which was quite good. There's not a whole lot of plot going on, mostly just a bunch of random new characters in a school, but it's been fun so far. I don't know if they'll be a finale next issue and then off to limbo or what, but I've enjoyed it so far.
Magnificent Ms. Marvel #16 : I hadn't read any Ms. Marvel since the original team left, so I thought I'd see what was going on. They were recycling a plot from the first series, pretty much. Not that it was a bad story or anything, but they already did a 'government is out to shut down the heroes' plot just a bit ago.. this one is a slightly different spin it seems, but still the same plot. Probably won't keep getting it.
Dungeons and Dragons: At the Spine of the World #1 : Meh. Pretty standard fantasy fare... though they did have a Lizardman Ranger (a call out to Goblin Slayer, perhaps?) which amused me. I'd read it on Hoopla or in a cheap trade, but not at $4 an issue.
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Post by Dizzy D on Nov 14, 2020 12:09:35 GMT -5
Marauders #15
Written by Gerry Duggan and Benjamin Percy.
Art by Stefano Caselli and Edgar Delgado.
This is chapter 14 in the X of Swords crossover.
What went before: Mutants have united and live nearly all on the island of Krakoa. Apocalypse has revealed that he has tried something similar before, on the island of Okkara, but a demonic invasion forced him to sacrifice his wife, his children and half the island, splitting Okkara in Krakoa and Arakko. Arakko was thrown into another dimension and now the demonic armies, lead by Apocalypse's children, the four original Horsemen, have returned for revenge and conquest. Their army is stopped in Otherworld by the magic of the Omniversal Majestrix, Saturnyne. She gets both the Horsemen and the X-Men to agree to a duel: 10 champions of each side, each armed with a special sword will face each other on the battlefield in Otherworld.
Plot: Hey, remember how I said last time that Wolverine's plan to kill Saturnyne, the one person who is standing between open war between Krakoa and Arakko seemed like a bad idea? In this issue of Marauders: Wolverine's plan to kill Saturnyne turns out to be a bad idea. With Saturnyne dead, open war resumes and Earth has no army to defend against the legions of demons and their mutants overlords from Arakko. Wolverine is crucified and left alive to witness the ruin he has caused, before a figure appears before him: Saturnyne who grows claws like him and stabs him. And then he wakes up and returns to the present, moments before he stabbed Saturnyne, who appears to know exactly what he was intending to do.
Dinner resumes, but is interrupted as War's attempt to poison Wolverine hits Douglas Ramsey instead. The White Sword, one of Arakko's champions is dismayed by this cowardly attempt and uses his healing power on Douglas. Brian and Betsy go to complain to Saturnyne, but she tells them that she would have interfered, except their side also tried to kill somebody this evening. Brian and Betsy immediately understand and are not happy with Logan (not that they were before).
Despite two murder attempts, the two groups start to mingle a bit more. Magik and Cable meet with Isca the Unbeaten and put her mutant power of being undefeatable to the test and indeed no matter whether contests of skill or chance, Isca wins every time. At the end of dinner, Saturnyne reveals the first match: Captain Britain vs. Isca.
The Good: This issue will get a bonus point, because I was right and I like the confirmation. Duggan as usual is good at writing characters and I enjoyed basically all the characters in this issue: Saturnyne knows Wolverine just tried to kill her, but is completely unphased (but will definitely not forget this). Brian who tries to be reasonable, but is undermined by his short-tempered teammate. Magik's absolute delight at seeing's Isca's power in action is fun to see. Isca despite being on Arakko's side turns out to be a very reasonable and sociable person (she even tries to save Doug from the poison). The White Sword, who is also fighting for Arakko (though he's usually their enemy) turns out to be a creature of principle and honor. Death shows to be very strict in his religious beliefs and Redroot starts to wonder if being "weak" in the way the Krakoans are, is actually a bad thing?
The Bad: Still waiting for this title to go back to its regular storyline, but this was the last chapter of X of Swords in Marauders, so I'm getting my wish.
8/10: I was right, so a bonus point. For the rest, a good issue halfway through the story that clarifies the stakes, fleshes out the involved characters more and sets up the match.
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Post by Dizzy D on Nov 14, 2020 13:12:08 GMT -5
Excalibur #14
Written by Tini Howard.
Art by Phil Noto
This is chapter 15 in the X of Swords crossover.
What went before: Mutants have united and live nearly all on the island of Krakoa. Apocalypse has revealed that he has tried something similar before, on the island of Okkara, but a demonic invasion forced him to sacrifice his wife, his children and half the island, splitting Okkara in Krakoa and Arakko. Arakko was thrown into another dimension and now the demonic armies, lead by Apocalypse's children, the four original Horsemen, have returned for revenge and conquest. Their army is stopped in Otherworld by the magic of the Omniversal Majestrix, Saturnyne. She gets both the Horsemen and the X-Men to agree to a duel: 10 champions of each side, each armed with a special sword will face each other on the battlefield in Otherworld.
Plot: The first two "duels" are fought: Jubilee who is still caring of her baby son, Shogo (who takes the form of a dragon in Otherworld, because a child's imagination is very powerful in a magic realm like Otherworld). Elisabeth contacts her telepathically and lets her know that the first duel will be today between Captain Britain and Isca the Unbeaten, but the conversation is cut short when Isca enters Betsy's tent. Isca tries to convince her to forfeit the fight because Unbeaten is not just a name. Betsy refuses and shortly afterwards the fight starts.
Betsy manages to get some hits in, but in the end Isca shatters Betsy's Starlight Sword, which results in Betsy herself shattering into shards like a mirror.
While most of the Krakoans are still shocked, Saturnyne announces the second challenge: Douglas Ramsey vs. Bei the Blood Moon. Both are taken away by Saturnyne's servants and Douglas overhears Bei screaming threats at the servants and realizes that his power is not working on her: he can't understand her. His fear immediately makes way for his curiosity. Magik goes to support her fellow New Mutant, but when they enter the hall the fight is to be held, it's clear that this challenge is very different: Bei and Doug are to be married. Despite not knowing each other, both are fascinated enough by the other and exchange vows.
The marriage is interrupted by Jubilee and Shogo who are worried about their friend. The X-Men try to stop the dragon/baby before Saturnyne and her guards kill him, but Saturnyne figures out that the dragon is just a young child, relents and calms him with her magic. She looks around and sees Bei and Doug kissing and decides that both have won their challenge.
The current score: Arakko 2 - Krakoa 1
The Good: Phil Noto's artwork is great as usual.
The idea that not all challenges are combat makes the whole duel more interesting, so I wonder what other challenges will await.
Saturnyne in this issue is far better than she was in the previous Excalibur issue where she was portrayed as infatuated with Brian Braddock.
The Bad: The writing is really disjointed: Elisabeth Braddock has been basically the main character in Excalibur so far and she dies quickly and without much reaction from herself (the fight lasts 4 pages, from the anouncement to her death). I believe that she is not dead, because a) the death is so weird and b) Saturnyne created the Starlight Sword last issue, so nobody except her knows exactly what it can do and how it works, so if it just exists for one issue without anything more happening it would be very anti-climatic.
I like the relationship between Doug and Bei, but the pacing is so quick and this should have taken more time. Also the weird thing is that nobody else seems surprised by it and even if Brian is still shocked by his twin sister's death, the rest all seem to be enjoying the wedding despite the very recent death of one of their own.
Finally some of the Arakko characters as portrayed here seem completely opposite of their earlier portrayals. Isca at least fits with her earlier portrayals: unstoppable in combat, but reasonable and trying to prevent an unnecessary death if possible, but the White Sword and Redroot, one who dislikes the champions of Arakko and the other who hates violence, are shouting for Betsy's head during the duel.
6/10: Disjointed and terrible pacing, saved by Noto's art and some small moments.
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Post by Dizzy D on Nov 14, 2020 13:42:51 GMT -5
Taskaster #1
Written by Jed MacKay
Art by Alessandro Vitti
Part 1 of 4
Plot: Taskmaster is hired by a rich Maggia member to help him win a Maggia golf tournament. His opponent hired Bullseye. The tournament is interrupted by an assassin who shoots Taskmaster's employer. The group scatters and it is clear that Taskmaster is the target. His attempts to lose his pursuer fail, but he receives assistance from an unexpected source: Nick Fury offers him a ride. Fury explains that Maria Hill was killed and Taskmaster's shield was found at the scene of the crime. Taskmaster claims innocence and Fury believes him (because if Taskmaster had really killed her, he would have never gotten close to Fury). The pursuer will not give up though, because she is the Black Widow.
To prove his innocence Taskmaster has to help Fury in finding out what Hill was working on. To do so, he needs to get close to three of the world's greatest spymasters.
The Good: I think this is the third Taskmaster limited series (probably planned to coincide with his movie debut, but then Corona happened) and I'm happy that Lente's retcon of Taskmaster as a tragic figure is ignored. I like Taskmaster as a villain because he's pragmatic and only in it for the money. This series seems to lean into Taskmaster as just a mercenary, a talented mercenary with an ego, sure, but only here for the money.
I like the idea of his client winning the golf tournament so far (it's not explicitly said, but I assume the difference is that while Bullseye has better aim, they are just there to support their employers who have to play. And Taskmaster has far more experience as a teacher).
Fury and Taskmaster threat each other with respect; they are not friends but they need each other for now. I assume a double-cross is coming up (it's a very big coincidence that Fury can only unlock Hill's secret research with Taskmaster's specific talents, so I'm suspicious of his motives).
The Bad: Nothing much so far, it's a first issue, heavy on action, but it sets up the premise pretty well.
7/10: Decent first issue. I hope they stick the landing, which has been a problem with Marvel mini-series lately.
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