Guest raptor Report post Posted July 5, 2002 This week’s soundtrack: Green Day, Shenanigans. The Filth 02. (of 13., Perfect Victim) Creators : Grant Morrison, Chris Weskon Auxiliary Facts: 1st: Dmitri: The Communist Monkey Plot: um... I really don’t know... Comments: Grant Morrison is an aquired taste. Some people hate him (like I used to), and others see him as the medium’s messiah. I couldn’t explain to any one what the hell is going on in The Filth, but I’ll be damned if I’m not captivated. I think this series will be a phenomenal TPB when it’s all said and done. This really picks up on all that was good about the first issue, and the plot is finallt shaping up. Plus, he introduces us to Dmitri the Communist Monkey in this issue. There’s something funny about a monkey saying “Lenin Loves You.” *** X-Factor Book Three (of Four, Weeds) Creators : Jeff Jensen, Arthur Ranson Auxiliary Facts: Cameo: Wolverine, Appearence: The New X-Men Plot: As Agents Kearse and Grey investigate the fire-bombing of a mutant church, they find reason to believe that they are nothing more than pawns in a nation wide conspiracy. Comments: Jeff Jensen really has something here. He’s exploring the themes of racism and fear that Morrison has touched upon over in New X-Men, and has added a very combustible idea to the mix: the role of religion in a mutant world. As Agent Kearse (a devout Christian) says: “They can’t explain it. The bible doesn’t cover it. Evolution? No way we’re believing that.” My only problem with this series is the cameos by the X-Men. Cyclops and Jean in Book One, Nightcrawler in Book Two, and Wolverine here. They really serve little purpose, and just smell of a sales ploy. *** eXiles #15 (I Cover The Waterfront Part II of II) Creators : Judd Winick, Mike McKone Auxiliary Facts: Cameos: Doom, Namor The Sub-Mariner Plot: The eXiles continue their futile attempt to liberate Doom’s Latverian army, as Mimic brawls with Namor, The Sub-Mariner Comments: While eXiles is still my favorite series right now, this last two parter didn’t entertain me. That’s largely due to the fact that it centered around Mimic, who I’ve grown to dislike. He embodies all the bad qualities that the original Angel used to display. Doom, however was hilarious (“You shall refrain from laying your hands on Doom”), and I enjoyed all the scenes with Blink in them. Winnick’s ability to write her is uncanny. If you look through the older issues, you can really see her progression from the child-like attitude of AoA and the Blink mini-series to one of the best leaders the X-Universe has to offer. ** Spider-Girl #49 (A Dish, Served Cold) Creators : Tom DeFalco, Pat Olliffe Auxiliary Facts: Revealed: Spider-Man and Green Goblin’s Final Battle Plot: Mayday races around the city to learn more about the enigmatic Kaine, but after asking her mother and father, only Darkdevil provides any answers. Kaine continues his quest to stop the murder Alison Mongraine plans to commit. Comments: Spider-Girl seemed to justcoast after news that it was saved from the axe. DeFalco must have felt that he and his little book were bullet-proof. It seems he may finally be motivated, however, as this issue kicks on all cylinders, and supplies all the personality that fans loved about the series. Plus, for long time fans, the last page is a huge ,heartbreaking shock. **** Alias #11 (Rebecca, Please Come Home Part 1) Creators : Brian Michael Bendis, Michael Gaydos Auxiliary Facts: A New Story Arc Begins! Plot: Jessica is journeys to the small town of Lago, New York to find a missing girl. It turns out that the girl’s dissapearence may be due to one fact: she’s a mutant. Comments: Bendis cannot write a bad story. He’s on a Kevin Smith like streak here, where even the comparitively bad things (Powers’ Role Play Saga) are in the upper echelon of modern comics. The streak is even greater considering he’s writing like five books a month. He seems to work best when he is writing tales that are more true to life. This is no different, as the only aspect that grounds it in Marvel continuity is the fact that her target is a mutant. **** Uncanny X-Men #408 (Identity Crisis) Uber-Book of the Week! Creators : Joe Casey, Sean Philips Auxiliary Facts: R: The Vanisher, Sequel to Uncanny X-Men Annual ‘01 Plot: As Archangel and Nightcrawler prepare a takeover of the Vanisher’s designer gene empire, Stacy goes on a call that ends with her learning about her place in the X-Men family. Comments: I seem to be on of the only X-Men fans that has enjoyed the majority of Joe Casey’s run. He has toyed with a lot of fascets of continuity that other writers wouldn’t touch. His greatest stories have been they very few that have dealt with Vanisher and his designer genes. Drug abuse is something that has popped up in comics on numerous occasions, but Casey has maganed to deliver a wholly unique perspective. Picking up on the relationships between disenfranchised youth and the mutant phenomenon introduced by Morisson, the designer genes storyline will someday be seen among the X-Men’s best. ***** Ultimate Spider-Man #24 (Ultimatum) Creators : Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagely Auxiliary Facts: A: Col. Nick Fury Plot: Nick Fury, the head of S.H.I.E.L.D., knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man. Worse, he knows that the Green Goblin is going to ask Spider-Man to kill him. Peter meets up with the Green Goblin and gives him a hearty “fuck you,” leaving the Goblin with no choice: he kidnaps Mary Jane. Comments: A big criticism of the old Marvel regime was that they failed to capitalize on the success of the X-Men movie. Given that hindsight is 20/20, they should have let Bendis write X-Men. In the wake of Spider-Man’s unmitigated success, Bendis has managed to craft the perfect, accesible Spider-Man tale. Spider-Man has always (for me, anyways) been the easiest hero to relate to. He’s instinctual, caring, and above all else, unrelentingly heroic. ***** Powers #21 (Anarchy Part I of IV) Creators : Brian Michael Bendis, Mike Avon Oeming Auxiliary Facts: 1st & D: Omega 6 & Black Mondo, 1st: Detective Argentino Plot: Deena Pilgrim must break in a new partner as they investigate a serial killer that specializes in the powers community. Comments: Although Powers is the least publicized of Bendis’ work, it may be the best. It’s also a testament to his skills that the new lead character, Detective Argentino, is instantly likeable. Walker will no doubt be back, but Bendis is so good at what he does, that the transistion is seemless and easy. **** Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest pochorenella Report post Posted July 9, 2002 So Uncanny X-Men is finally getting good again? I'll give them a try, then, since I've almost given up on that title. And it bears mentioning again: Ultimate Spider-Man is the best title going in the racks now. Hasn't dissapointed me from day one. Good work, Bendis, Bagley and Co. Good work for you too, Raptor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest SuperTonyJaymz Report post Posted July 10, 2002 You know, I havent read a comic book in years, but ever sense I watched Spidey movie and coming to this forum more often, my intrest in superheroes has gone way up. Hell today I was *this* close to getting a Spidey graphic novel(sorry guys, i couldnt spare the money, had to buy my research) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest pochorenella Report post Posted July 10, 2002 You know, I havent read a comic book in years, but ever sense I watched Spidey movie and coming to this forum more often, my intrest in superheroes has gone way up. Hell today I was *this* close to getting a Spidey graphic novel(sorry guys, i couldnt spare the money, had to buy my research) If you want to try some great recent Spidey stories you may want to check out these TPB: Coming Home Ultimate Spider-Man: Power and Responsibility Ultimate Spider-Man: Learning Curve They're not so pricey and they're all great reads, specially the Ultimate books. You may want to check out the Best of Spider-Man Vol.1 Hardcover, which carries the entire "Coming Home" storyline and some other great stuff from Tangled Web and Ultimate Team-Up, but this one's a little more expensive. Worth every penny, though, IMO. So start saving a few bucks, man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vyce Report post Posted July 12, 2002 Anyone have any thoughts about "Ultimates"? I may be the only guy who was CHEERING for the Hulk. I'm sorry, but virtually no one on that team is likeable. Is it any wonder Banner turned into Hulk? They're all pricks. They treated him like shit. I'd have hypoed myself into a jolly green giant and tried to kill Freddie Prinze Jr.myself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
