Amazing Spider-Man #700 Review

WARNING! THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!

If you want to avoid Amazing Spider-Man #700 spoilers, then don’t read any further.

Alright, you’ve been warned.

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Peter Parker is, apparently, dead. Yes, you read that right. Peter Parker, as we know him, is no more. Due to a mind transference that took place in issue #698, Octavius’ mind is in Peter Parker’s body. Otto Octavius is, essentially, the new Spider-Man in Superior Spider-Man! Got that? Okay.

Now that we have that out of the way, how was the main story? It’s typically well-written by writer Dan Slott and is sure to leave many fans furious and will have everybody talking… but what makes this issue so fascinating is the kind of man Octavius turns out to be by the end of the issue. Instead of the typical megalomaniac we’re used to, it seems that Peter’s memories have had an effect on Otto, even if in very subtle ways. By the time Doc Ock’s old body fails Peter in the end, he resolves to leave Otto with some familiar words of wisdom. These words do not completely fall on deaf ears, it seems. It is this characterization that has always won me over as a fan of Slott’s writing. Even as he’s dying in Ock’s old body, we still get a sense of the hero Peter is and the inspiration he is on others, right up until the end. Each supporting character has their chance to shine, as well. Particularly noticeable is the change of heart a certain Mayor J. Jonah Jameson has about Spider-Man, after witnessing his, er, new personality… which also says a lot about JJJ’s character. Also of note is Otto’s rekindling of Peter’s romance with Mary Jane. Despite Otto’s misogynistic personality, it’s clear that MJ has never stopped loving Peter, which she all but admits to. It’s this kind of drama and change of the status quo that should make Superior Spider-Man a compelling title, as well as seeing how he interacts with the rest of Peter’s friends and enemies. But is that all? Surely this isn’t permanent, you may tell yourself. Listen… I’ve been reading comics for 30 odd years or so. I’m here to reassure you, True Believers, the Peter Parker we know WILL return. Slott even leaves an opening for it, if you pay attention. This change of status quo is only temporary, mark my words. For now, just relax and enjoy the twist in the road until then.

Humberto Ramos’ art has never been better than it is here. His subtle change of expression, particularly during “Peter’s” talk with MJ, clues the reader in on there being someone else inside Peter’s mind. Well done, Mr. Ramos. The art in this book is, well, amazing. Congratulations and well done to all artists involved.

The backup stories were not much more than filler for me. The cutesy story with Black Cat seemed a bit pointless and out-of-place and also left me scratching my head. The other one was well-written and may or may not contain clues as to the real Spider-Man’s future, but it was ultimately as pointless, as it really didn’t contribute much. Certainly not enough to justify the cost of this issue. Over all, however, these minor missteps didn’t really ruin my enjoyment of the “final” issue of The Amazing Spider-Man. In fact, I’m very excited to see what Dan Slott and Ryan Stegman have in store for us in Superior Spider-Man. Excelsior! 9/10

All New X-Men #4 Review

This is the issue I’ve been waiting for. The original five X-Men have been brought from the past to confront the Scott Summers (a.k.a. Cyclops) and his team of mutants of today, while both teams are trying to figure out exactly what the hell is going on. This issue mainly deals with this, as well as possibly giving some clues to the reader as to why the blue, furry Hank McCoy of today felt the need to bring the old team into the present. Writer Brian Michael Bendis wastes no time in going for the emotional jugular in this issue, particularly where Jean Grey is concerned. Needless to say, there are lots of questions and head-scratching going on.

One of those questions the original X-Men have is why today’s Cyclops has allied himself with Magneto and Emma Frost. Their thoughts are filled with anger, doubt, betrayal, and shock at today’s turn of events. Past Cyclops simply can’t fathom how today’s Cyclops has faltered in his judgement, going so far as killing his mentor, Professor Charles Xavier. Granted, Cyclops was possessed by the Phoenix Force when he did it, but, at this point in time, the old team has no idea what the Phoenix Force is or what it can do. In fact, Jean Grey is only now tapping into her latent psychic abilities. All they see is a future Cyclops who has fallen from grace and murdered their teacher and father figure. On future Cyclops’ side, we feel his utter shock over seeing his beloved Jean alive again. At first, he thinks his other ex, Emma, has something to do with it, but reasons it out that she couldn’t possibly benefit in any way from planting Jean and their past selves in his head. He determines, finally, that they are real, as well as who is behind bringing them from the past to the future. Speaking of which, things aren’t looking so great for today’s Hank McCoy, as he still lies in stasis at X-Men HQ. When he finally wakes up and is confronted by his peers, things begin to go worse. I won’t spoil what happens, but it’s a hell of a cliffhanger that will have you greatly anticipating next issue.

Bendis does an expert job at balancing the conflict, drama, and humor around the emotional storm brewing from both sides. The issue also contains his trademark snappy dialogue, as well as large doses of humor to counter the serious goings-on. Artist Stuart Immonen’s art is, quite simply, jaw-dropping. He perfectly captures the emotion and drama of this issue, as well as the uncertainty in the faces of all involved. Some interesting juxtapositions of classic X-Men with today’s X-Men in certain panels and pages also serves the story well. In short, this is my new favorite Marvel NOW! title, with enough innovation to make it fresh, but retaining enough of the old Marvel flavor to make it appealing to longtime fans. 10/10

Avengers #2 Review

Last issue ended with Captain America giving the order to “Assemble at dawn,” with some new recruits joining longtime Avengers to confront a cosmic threat so huge that even their might still may not be enough to defeat it. Writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Jerome Opeña make an impressive debut of a series here, as well as a memorable new villain in that of Ex Nihilo, who is, apparently, capable of taking out Thor, Iron Man, and Hulk, as well as Hawkeye and Black Widow. While a team of Avengers, old and new, answer Cap’s call, we also learn a bit more about Ex Nihilo, as well as his sister, Abyss, and the automaton, Aleph, who is probably the one to fear most of the trio, considering what he can do and the cold logic he displays about doing it.

As with most megalomaniacal villains of Ex Nihilo’s ilk, he is overconfident and arrogant, going so far as underestimating Captain America and sending him back to Earth as a warning. Little does he suspect, Cap has assembled a team of powerful heroes to confront him and rescue their friends, as well as countless planets. Speaking of which, the choice of Avengers Hickman has picked here are interesting. While there are heroes who are already members of the team in some form or another, there are also some unexpected choices, which I won’t spoil here. While Ex Nihilo and co. have interesting origins, I can’t help but get a sense of a “been there, done that” with some of their background stories… particularly Ex Nihilo, himself. While this is no less compelling, I was hoping there was a bit more to them than I thought. This is only a minor complaint, though, as this comic was so much fun to read. One thing I really enjoyed was Ex Nihilo’s assessment of Thor as being “mythic” and unlike any of the others. I thought that was a nice touch, which gives the reader a sense of Ex Nihilo’s true threat as a villain. If he can defeat and bind Thor, as well as Hulk, what chance do the others have? It should be interesting to see how they get out of this one.

Artist Jerome Opeña is a wonder to behold, perfectly capturing the cosmic scale of the story and the mythical aspects of the coming together of this new and bigger Avengers team. The colorists, Dean White, Justin Ponsor, and Morry Hollowell, also contribute greatly to the look and feel of this book, accentuating Opeña’s detailed pencils with an almost glowing god-like energy that I found very appealing. Despite the minor faults I’ve already mentioned, it’s hard to not love this book. While some of Hickman’s writing might seem a bit derivative in places, he was actually a perfect choice for this title, as he does the whole “mythic” thing well. So *what* if Ex Nihilo is your run-of-the-mill cosmic jerk with a weird fashion sense. He’s still very much a classic Marvel character in the same vein as Jack Kirby’s Galactus, This is charming all on its own and very fitting for The Avengers. It’s clear Hickman does have a plan here, with characters beginning to show what roles they’ll be taking and how the team will be operating from here on out. It’s ambitious enough to seem fresh, while retaining everything uniquely Marvel. I’m really looking forward to seeing it all unfold. 8.5/10

Marvel Comics First Look: Winter Soldier #15

Story By: JASON LATOUR

Art By: NIC KLEIN

Variant Cover By: NIC KLEIN

Cover By: DECLAN SHALVEY

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Price: NA

Release Date: 6th February 2013

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Winter Soldier #15, from the creative team of writer Jason Latour & artist Nic Klein. In the wake of the hunt for the Black Widow, a broken and beaten Winter Soldier begins a quest for atonement. But just as Bucky makes peace with his deadly past – a new villain from his future is out for his head! This February, Latour and Klein send Captain America’s former partner on a road to redemption like no other in Winter Soldier #15!

Deadpool #3 Review

This is the one Marvel NOW! title that I genuinely look forward to with every release. Mainly because Deadpool is my kind of hero. The story and, indeed, the artwork work so well to portray the unhinged nature of Deadpool. Brian Posehn and Gary Duggan are doing a good job with the story, as we see the dead presidents trying to destroy America, with Deadpool dispatching them one at a time back to where they came. Tony Moore’s artwork stands out really well, showing the brutality of the Deadpool way of dealing with the problems in front of him. So on to my review of issue #3.

Issue #3 starts inside the headquarters of Doctor Strange. Deadpool sits with the ghost of Ben Franklin and Agent Preston pleading for help. In a typical Deadpool moment, he actually talks to the reader as he references back to issue #1. A really cool distraction, which works well. Deadpool has a complete disregard for authority or, indeed, any sort of procedure, finding it hard to put up with Doctor Strange telling him what to do. But that’s the way this has to work.

The Necromancer has overstepped the mark by bringing back the presidents, as they have come back without their humanity. As George Washington tortures the Necromancer, Doctor Strange, Deadpool, and Agent Preston appear. Deadpool and Preston take on the presidents in the room, as Doctor Strange transports the Necromancer to the astral plane to try and find out where he got his powers. It turns out that the Necromancer brought his hamster back to life when he was young. He then knew he was special. Soon, he was surprisingly recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D. Back in the room, all hell has broken out, as Deadpool struggles to hold his own while Preston goes for help. Great references fill the air, as the presidents tell a bit of their history while they stab and shoot Deadpool from every angle. Gerald Ford, in typical clumsy manor, stumbles into the tail rotor of the president’s helicopter. Doctor Strange appears to help Deadpool remove a sword from his chest, which was inserted by George Washington. After meditating, Doctor Strange forges a magical blade that will enable Deadpool to dispatch the presidents with one blow.

On the last page, Doctor Strange pulls Deadpool to the side to tell him that he noticed something about him. It seems his cancer is on the way back. This is something that Deadpool has had to live with after getting his regenerative powers. The cancer is a trade-off, but it’s usually kept at bay. Now, the only thing that stands between America and total annihilation is Deadpool and his newly empowered sword. His complete disregard for his own safety and his underlying death wish could be the thing that tips the balance in his favor.

Another brilliant issue, as the presidents trade insults with Deadpool and, indeed, themselves, full of off the cuff humour and brilliant references throughout. I need a Deadpool fix more often, but as Marvel’s release schedule is so messed up at the moment, it’s nearly a weekly, which suits me fine. A very well-deserved 9/10.

Amazing Spider-Man #699.1 Review

This .1 issue puts a spotlight on the character of Morbius the Living Vampire, as we see what happens with him after the Doctor Octopus debacle from last issue. This is another obvious attempt to kick off a new solo series, so it very much reads like a #0 issue in that way. Here, we get a glimpse of how writer Joe Keatinge’s upcoming ongoing series will be, as Keatinge and co-writer Dan Slott recap Michael Morbius’ origins for new readers.

By now, these .1 issues have become the norm for Marvel, serving as jumping on points for various characters and storylines. This story spins directly from the prison break sequence in issue #699. As Morbius escapes from his cell, his memories flash back to his days growing up in Greece and the unusual circumstances leading up to the experiment which turned him into the bloodsucking creature he is today. Keatinge and Slott deliver a pretty straightforward history for Morbius and expertly weaves his past with his life in the present. While all of this is probably old hat for longtime Marvelites, there are a few retcons that were a nice touch, such as how Morbius’ parents helped to mold him and adding his childhood friend, Emil, into the picture.

Artist Valentine De Landro, who is probably most known for his work on X-Factor, adapts a noticeably different style here. While his noirish renderings are still intact, they take on a more retro, Silver Age appearance, which is perfect for the setting. Artist Marco Checchetto also provides the opening pages, which were dark and foreboding, meshing well with De Landro’s style.

All in all, this issue doesn’t really serve the current “Dying Wish” storyline in Amazing Spider-Man, but it is a good start point for readers looking forward to the new Morbius series and should satisfy fans of the character, even if they don’t plan on picking up his new book. We all win. 8/10

Marvel NOW Preview: A+X #3

Story By: Jason Aaron, James Asmus

Art By: Pasqual Ferry, Billy Tan

Colors By: Brian Reber, Jim Charalampidis

Letters By: VC – Clayton Cowles

Cover By: Pasqual Ferry, Billy Tan

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Price: $3.99

Release Date: 19th December 2012

BLACK WIDOW AND ROGUE VS. SENTINELS! GAMBIT AND HAWKEYE SAVE LIVES!