SOME THOUGHTS ON THE SECRET INVASION

BY AJ DAZZY D (WHO VERY WELL MIGHT BE A SKRULL)

 

     Secret Invasion is on, the Skrulls are here.  What are we to make of it?  First, it is a given that this event, like all recent events in Marvel, will change things, but not really alter the basics of the Marvel U.  Second, it will purge more of the continuity in what seems to clearly be Marvel’s attempt to recraft their titles for young adult males and mass consumption.  So, keep an eye out for expendable characters getting the swan song.  Third, all changes will be immediately contradicted by after series spin-offs and the next event.  But the interesting thing is that Marvel is claim Bendis has been planning this since the New Avengers.  One has the deep suspicion that any so-called “clues” supposedly littered among the past few years’ publications are only clues in the loosest sense of the word.  But let us indulge in the idea.

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Comic Review:
KICK-ASS #1

By Kyle Yentzer

 

     Before I get serious I’ve gotta get serious and mention that this book “should” carry a parental warning. It’s definitely not for younger readers with language and violence levels catering to the more mature comic readers. With that said, I feel that my civic duties as a semi responsible, quasi respectable contributor are fulfilled. As a lifetime comic reader I have to say I’m surprised this book hasn’t been written before. Leave it to a small imprint comic to outthink the older, house of ideas brother that got it started in the first place. It all started with a question, one that we’ve all had; that the comics’ main character vocalizes. Why is it that no one runs around dressed like and acting like super heroes? As a kid I remember putting on my wolverine mask and my gauntlets with the retractable adamantium claws and waiting in the trees for evil doers to pass by. There were days spent running around the house yelling flame on with the neighbors staring stupidly and wondering whose house was on fire. Sure we all fantasize about becoming the heroes we read about in our comic books or see in the movies. But what would happen if we actually put on a cape or strapped ourselves to jet pack out of the Rocketeer? Well, this book is all about the beat downs, broken bones and property damage that would ensue.

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SOME THOUGHTS ON :
THE SPOILER IN UNCANNY X-MEN #496

BY MICHAEL McDANIEL

     It wasn’t always in my nature to be so down on Marvel Comics like I have been as of late. In my teenage years, most of my comic budget (which was pretty much all of my allowance which was given to me by my parents for doing chores around the house) went towards buying comics from the House of Ideas. My favorite title at the time, like a good number of comic readers from the early eighties, was the Uncanny X-Men.  I would search far and wide for the next issue from convenience store to convenience store. The not-so-merry band of mutants seemed to be in short supply back in those days before Macon got its own comic book store sometime in 1983. Due to the nature of collecting comics in those days, I managed to miss an issue here or there. This annoyance did not deter my readership and loyalty to one of the finest runs from a writer, penciller, and inker team in comic history. I am, of course, referring to the Chris Clairmont, John Byrne, and Terry Austin days of the X-Men when the X-books were one and Jean Grey had not yet died on the blue area of the moon.

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Comic Review:
Fantastic Four #554
AN OLD PONY WITH NEW TRICKS

BY MICHAEL McDANIEL

     Recently in the Marvel Universe we’ve be treated to (or if you’d prefer had it forced upon us with updates on familiar titles such as New Avengers, Spider-man, and even Captain America. Marvel’s first family has been and will always be- despite sales and X-crossovers, etc- the Fantastic Four. These four superheroes were the first team in Marvel Comics and even were featured on the first issue of the Amazing Spider-man. Since their first appearance way back in the dawn of the age of Marvel Comics, the book has launched the comic exploits of a wide array of heroes such as the Silver Surfer and the Black Panther. Likewise, the villains have also made their fair share of debuts in the pages of the FF such as Doctor Doom and Galactus. This comic, over the years, has had its share of re-inventions with members being replaced for a time with other characters. Inevitably, the old order of Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben always seem to return.
     Next Week, Marvel is launching- for all intents and purposes- a re-vamp of the Fantastic Four. In a move that is reminiscent of old-school comics rather than the modern age of starting the book over at number one, Marvel is simply adding a top notch writer and great artist to a book which is numbered #554 and happens to be Marvel’s longest running monthly title. The Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch era is upon us and the House of Ideas, as Marvel was known as in the Silver Age, didn’t even jack-up the price on us. The comic which is due out o 2/13/08 carries a cover price of $2.99. Thanks to a preview copy, I have a review before the book hits the stands to better advise you on the value or lack their of in this comic.

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Comic Review:
X-Force #1
Not Your Older Brother's X-Force!

BY MICHAEL McDANIEL

 

     I can’t believe that I am writing a review on the first issue of the new ‘X-Force’ series. When that comic title is mentioned, I think of bad, bad comics…bad writing and even worse artwork. In fact, the name Rob Liefeld comes to mind and he doesn’t exactly herald great comics. This new effort from Marvel is not your older, stupid brother’s X-Force. Far from it. The only things in common with the old X-Farce series from Fabian Nicieza/Liefeld are the name of the book and two old members. The rest is actually good. Well, to be honest…really good and that is saying a great deal coming from me as I rank the original series as the quite possibly the worst book in X-comics history!

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STUCK ON STUPID
A VERY BLUNT REVIEW OF
'BRAND NEW DAY'