I went to the local comic book store this week! Grabbed a couple books (all Marvel this week, not by plan, just how it worked out) and sat down last night to review them all for you! Each of these reviews is up individually for your reading enjoyment. Or they’re all right here too! Click for more or click for each individual title! Well, except for Point One #1. That review was freaking long.
Enjoy!
Incredible Hulk #2
Still a fun book, but there’s less of the mystery and excitement that there was last issue. Banner is batshit insane and has been living on an island experimenting on every living thing, including himself, to recreate the Hulk. For decades we’ve been told that Banner wants to be rid of the monster, and the Hulk always thinks “puny Banner”. Its nice to see a different take on this. Banner also has a tumor in his head so lets see how that goes. The series is a lot like Planet Hulk or the Red Hulk saga. We’re introduced to a whole new corner of the Marvel Universe through the Hulk. Amanda Von Doom was in the last issue, and now we also meet Mister Gor and B.R.A.I.N., both of which look like they could be fascinating additions to the comics. Oh and of course, Hulk Sharks! Its a great monster beat em up book but with this larger and very interesting story over all the fights. I’m liking the book a lot so far.
Battle Scars #1
Not worth the paper or the price yet. For some reason, many forces in the Marvel U are after Sergeant Marcus Johnson. We don’t know why, but its sounding like he is about to be something special in Marvel comics. So far he just looks like a Sentry like character — someone we pretend was there all along and that no one really gives a shit about. We’ll see over the next 6 issues but until a reveal happens, neither the character nor the book is worth it.
New Avengers #18
Norman Osborn is creating a new Dark Avengers and its an all set up issue. No real Avengers in here, no heroes at all really. The new Dark team comes from all corners of Marvel history and everyone of them has reason to hate their, for lack of a better term, avatar. Gorgon as Wolverine, Suspria as Ms Marvel, a spider god that met Norman in Osborn #1 as Spider-Man, Skaar as Hulk, Norman’s shrink as Scarlet Witch and the tease that the Thor clone will be back, along with Norman as a new Iron Patriot. Its a spooky concept and a spooky team. Shocking that Spider-Man’s main bad guy is now one of the most dangerous foes in all of Marvel. I don’t see Electro or Sandman leading teams of bad guys. Its a fun set up issue and sure to lead to a good graphic novel length arc of this team. Recommended.
Avenging Spider-Man #1
Its an all new Marvel Team-Up book for those people who don’t want it to be called Marvel Team-Up! I don’t know how I never picked up on the fact that “avenging” would mean the Avengers. This book will team up Spidey with another character in the Avengers corner of Marvel each and every issue. First off, Spidey and the Avengers take down a large AIM robot. Pete needs a ride back to NY and its the Red Hulk’s leaping ability that gets them there. They arrive just in time to fight off a Moloid invasion. Well, try to. A giant monster captures our heroes and the mayor of New York, J Jonah Jameson, is brought before the Mole Man. Swerve! There’s a new king of the Marvel underground and its not our happy go lucky dangerous but harmless Mole Man.
The book is a lot of fun. No need for this comic to get layers of Spider-Man’s history and deep character development. Just grab Spidey, another hero, and have shit happen then see how they react to each other. Really really fun book that I’ll actually be looking forward to each month.
Oh, in regards to Joe Madureira’s art. I agree with Erik Larsen. It looks beautiful, but would have been that much better with an inker.
HELLIONS TEAM 