COSMIC QUICK TAKES

For The Week of February 10th

Marvel Comics

Marvel Adventures Superheroes #20

This “younger-audiences-oriented” or what Marvel calls an “All Ages” book features a teenage, rookie, wisecracking, frequent-mistake-making version of Nova as part of an Avengers team. Surprisingly, the stories and art have been pretty good even taking into account that this version of Nova serves as part comic relief and part patronized junior colleague (even though this incarnation of Nova is more powerful than all the rest of his teammates except maybe Thor). This book reads like a 1960’s to early 1970’s era comic book and will leave most of us older readers with a feeling of nostalgia. If you’re a Nova completist, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up. This issue the team takes on Diablo and a surprise guest villain right out of Dr. Strange’s rogue’s gallery. It’s a fun read and I’m not embarrassed to say that I enjoyed it. It stays on my pull list.

S.W.O.R.D. #4

Damn shame that this book has been cancelled. It has been getting better with each issue. Given time, this would have been a fine addition to the Marvel Cosmic line up and a nice bridge between Marvel Earth and Marvel Cosmic. This issue was a flat out fun read. Looks like Agent Brand and The Beast are going to wrap this series nicely with a kick-ass #5. So don’t miss next months issue of a series that had great potential but was not given a chance to grow and shine as the X-fans and the rest of comicsdom didn’t support it. It stays on my pull list till the bitter end next month.

New Mutants #10

I have really been enjoying this series. In this issue we learn why the New Mutants have been resurrected as a break out team from the X-Men. The team comes together like they haven’t since their original series and we get to see how these beloved characters have grown and changed since the original series. If this series survives, I expect we’ll be seeing some X-Franchise shaking developments. This book stays on my pull list.

Marvel Boy: The Uranian #2 (of 3)

I was not enthralled with Issue #1 of this book. Luckily, #2 was a bit better or I probably wouldn’t have bothered to continue buying the book. Issue #2 explores Bob Grayson’s back story on Uranus (ah – the missed opportunities for puerile humor right about here) and on Earth in the 1950’s. It was a fun read and I feel like I know the character currently starring in Agents of Atlas quite a bit better now. If you’re an AoA fan, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up. This book was (barely) retained on my pull list.

Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #4 (of 5)

Any book that kills off Imperial Guardsmen is an automatic favorite for me. This Realm of Kings event book has been an enjoyable read from #1 to present – made all the more so by a dwindling of the ranks of the IG. Now, if only Gladiator would bite it – I’d be a happy man. The story has been quite good and this month’s surprise guest villain provided a good twist to the storyline. This one stays on the pull list.

Strange #4 (of 4)

I’ve been a Dr. Strange fan since the 1970’s. This mini-series has been quite good and is paving the way for Doc Strange’s return as Sorcerer Supreme. Can’t wait. I enjoyed the storyline from this mini-series and can’t wait to see the next step in Dr. Strange’s mystical journey and that of his new apprentice.

Siege Embedded #2

I asked my lcs to put all the Siege titles on my pull list. When he handed me this one, I almost handed it back to him and told him I wasn’t interested in the “Frontline” version of the Siege event. At the last second I thought – aw what the hell – and bought it despite my reservations. I’m glad I bought it. It was an enjoyable read because it was so surprising that a Marvel title actually took a side in a political debate. There’s a thinly disguised version of Glen Beck and Fox News in this issue; and the story takes a swing at the corporate media, fascism, media demagoguery, and political demagoguery. The writer even takes a swipe at how easily uninformed people come to believe as truth the distortions and outright lies of media demagogues. After the recent nonsense from the Tea Party about their seeming negative portrayal in Captain America, who’d have thought Marvel would come out with a story like this? Talk about growing a pair! Thanks Marvel. Enjoy it while you can boys – as I’m sure The Mouse will be putting the kibosh on this kind of editorializing from Marvel in the future. Even aside from the political overtones, the story was actually fun. I’ve always had a fondness for Volstagg and he really steals the show in this book. This is the surprising break-out book of the week dudes! Seriously, pick this one up for an entertaining read. It definitely stays on my pull list.

IDW

Starstruck #6

The art is beautiful but fark me if I know what this book is about story wise. I mean, the stories in this series have been mediocre at best and incomprehensible at worst. This book is like a bad acid trip most of the time. Honestly, this month the story didn’t hold my attention when I did know what the story was about; and at other times I had no idea what was going on with the story. For me, the only thing that has saved this book thus far is the eye candy art. However, even that can’t save it this time. I admit it. I can’t take this book anymore. It’s gone from the pull list.

Dark Horse

Solomon Kane: Death’s Black Riders #2 (of 4)

I’ve been impressed with what Dark Horse has been doing with the Robert E. Howard properties. They’ve produced some of the best comics adaptations of the REH characters since Thomas’ days at Marvel. Solomon Kane #2 is no exception. I’m not a big fan of Puritanism and Solomon Kane isn’t one of my most favorite REH characters; but I have read all the original REH Solomon Kane stories so I can speak to the faithfulness of the letter and spirit of this comics adaptation. The story could easily have been written by REH himself; and the art captures the dark, brooding nature of the typical Kane story. If you like REH stories, pick this book up. It’s definitely staying on my pull list.

Image

Invincible Presents: Atom Eve and Rex Splode #3 (of 3)

If you’re an Invincible fan, then you’ll probably enjoy this mini-series about two of Invincible’s supporting characters, Atom Eve and Rex Splode. Before Invincible and Atom Eve were an item, Rex Splode and Atom Eve were an item. This mini-series provides the back story to their origins, early careers, and love affair. It’s highly recommended for Invincible completists – but if you’re just a casual Invincible fan, this book can be left on the shelf as its not must reading for casual fans. I’ve enjoyed this mini-series from start to finish and consider it a good investment.

Top Cow

Angelus (#2)

You know I’m a sucker for Bad Girl comics and T&A comics; so this book had me from Issue #1. That being said, don’t dismiss this book as JUST a bad girl or T&A book because it is MUCH more than that. I’m really enjoying this complicated take on the old “good versus evil” struggle because this book is not shying away from exploring the uncertainty and gray areas in any such struggle – or in pointing out the dangers of fanaticism. On a different level, this book is brave in candidly exploring the lesbian relationship between the titular character and one of the supporting characters. To top it all off, it is set in one of my favorite cities – New Orleans. This one definitely stays on my pull list.

Well, all-in-all it was a good week for the comics on my pull list – with only one being dropped for being a consistent disappointment story wise. We’ll see what next week holds.

Article by: Timelord

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