Been busy past few weeks with rl stuff finally got to read Dark Reign #1. I like it alot though it seems highly implausible that seeing all the power in Stark turn into a disaster that they would shift the power to Osbourne. Again the problem is one person. I like the setup of the group though and it should be interesting especially with Doom/Namor basically looking to backstab Osbourne. I guess Osbourne's protection is Sentry/Void which is amusing with his power that even a god like Loki would take notice. One wonders though how long Osbourne can keep him as a lackey. I really want to see what happens with Stark now, the look on his face in recent books is sheer desperation plus the rather brutal blow off he got by Thor in SI #8. SI itself might have been a wash but atleast it setup what looks like will be a good Dark Reign.
Yea, Stark is in a bad place right now. Everybody wants to wash there hands of him. Mighty Avengers #20 was pretty bad for Tony too; with Hank Pym blaming him for Cap and Wasp's deaths. A crappy situation. The first person I suspected as Osborn's mysterious friend was Sentry/Void. Hopefully he stays in his Void persona, Sentry has been a bust since his inception. Every fight he gets into, he seems to get ran off with a few words. I dont appreciate chaarcters being shoehorned into continuity when they keep being sent packing, crying for their mommy. I do think someone is pulling Osborne's resources, since not to long ago a shadowy figure gave him a serum and he ended up killing a bunch of Atlanteans shortly there after. And when he was questioned by police, he only got more pissed when they kept asking. That was from The Pulse, another Bendis book. Yea, SI was a weak event overall, but as you said, at least it set up DR. I haven't been this excited in a while. It's really gonna be interesting stuff. What do you think of the Dark Avengers? New Thunderbolts? Here's who I think some of these mystery peeps are: DA: Daken, Ares (duh), Marvel Boy (duh), Hawkeye (Bullseye), SpiderMan (?), Ms Marvel chick (Moonstone), Iron Patriot (Osborne). TB: Ant Man, Black Widow II, Headsman, Ghost, Paladin, Foolkiller or Crossbones, and I have no idea who the guy is with the glasses and the white hair.
One thing I dont like with the Iron Man issue is Stark still doesnt get it...the whole database thing he did, why does Stark think HE is above it/entitled to access to it but Norman isnt? He misses the whole point STILL put forth by Cap and the anti registration people. The problem isnt whether Norman is evil its that no man or organization has a right to such power/influence. I thought MA was really good and loved Thor's appearance to wisk Henry away because that was getting real nasty. Obviously Janet's return is something that is going to happen down the road unlike Cap because of the no body thing. And man did you see Avenger's Initiative with the ending? Harsh for Crusader....I look forward to fall out over next couple of months. If people are down on Pym a bit because of the Skrull Pym actions imagine how Spiderwoman is gonna play out.
Naw, I havent read Avengers Initiative in a while. how did that play out?
Oh man you should. You know Crusader was a skrull right? But he was a "good" Skrull but no one knows he is one and in the issue he single handily stops the invasion from firing Stark's Hulk last resort weapon he was prepared to use during WWH. All the initiatives cheer him and bang 3d Man puts a bullet in his head and shrugs "he's a skrull". All thru out the initative Crusader was determined to prove his worth to his new home world but was scared to reveal he was a skrull because he knew no one would trust him. Really tragic ending.
Sooo...what's Tony's master plan? Mentally controlling a suit while being brain dead? Atleast he finally admitted how much he screwed up, bout time. Im really digging Osbourne, he is just great as an evil mastermind bastard but his nature is he will crack, especially without the meds since he is mentally unstable.
I'm actually enjoying the fall out of the Skrull Invasion, although I thought the action title itself was a bit weak. During the Civil War I got hooked on the storyline of Robbie Baldwin fron Speedball to Penance which led me to begin reading Thunderbolts. I'm glad I did and I'm sure there was definite intent there on the writers part to guide those who ignored the Thunderbolts title into its pages. But, I've been disappointed that they've shoved Robbie to the back ground and focues more on the other characters and Osborn. I understand why, just, it was Robbie's story I was interested in. Osborn has become one of the most complex characters in the marvel universe right now and I'm really enjoying watching him just barely hold onto his sanity. I can't wait till it completely collapses, which it must at some point. As for the other characters, I started reading Iron Man, but it hasn't really done anything for me yet. Stark, as someone mentioned, just doesn't seem to understand what his actions cost still. He still plays around with things and deals with the consequences later. I like that all of the heroes in the Universe have to now check in with themselves and rethink how the world works. And the skrulls haven't seemed to played all their cards yet, although they are defeated. Just a fun time to be reading Marvel. X-men on the other hand, I don't know, I'm still waiting for it to get somewhere. Its still a bit worn to me at the moment. And my other favorite title is Daredevil. But it seems like they're running out of story lines or themes for Murdock. The characters been around a long time and they just seem to always go back to, 'Lets almost out Murdock and have him deal with women issues.' I can't say I have an idea for where it should go, but I'll still read it. Oh, and Punisher Dark Reign rocked. Fighting Sentinal, sweet!
Dunno the skrulls seem to be KIA, the comments from first War of Kings seem to indicate when the Inhumans wipe out the remaining skrull fleet that that's it, none or virtually no skrulls left. Obviously marvel can get around that if need be but for foreseeable future looks like skrulls are out of commission entirely. Just wasnt enough in Skrull invasion to draw me into caring or understanding why the skrulls would embark on such a suicidal move, combine that with shoddy writing and all SI to me represents is a setup for a much, much more interesting Dark Reign and War of Kings. And yeah the Punisher stories with DR have been as interesting as Punisher in mainstream universe has been, Im a Punisher Max fan so the super hero stuff for punisher never appeals to me but its been good!
I only mention the Skrulls still being in the game because of the events in The New Avengers where they have Luke Cage's daughter. This could be to either keep the Skrull out there desperate for some leverage or just a way to jump start this title. I like the Punisher for the same reason I like Daredevil, they both vulnerable characters that keep going although some of their adversaries as far stronger and undamagable than they are. Its the will and psychology of those characters that I enjoy reading.
whew! Been gone for a bit. Glad to see everything is moving smoothly. Poor Crusader...talk about intrigue. I dont know fellas, Tony has always been a fav of mine and I've stuck with him no matter what. Civil War was obviously controversial, but I still think of him as one of the greatest heroes of the Marvel U simply because he takes it on the chin quite a bit and still goes harder than ever. Hard decisions had to be made and he rolled with it. Even now, at the cost of his brain perhaps, he's trying to protect the identities of the registered heroes. If their was ever a hero to take up the mantle of running EVRYTHING, it would be him. However, as Danzig has made a point of saying, it's really too much responsibility for one man to have whether it be Osborn, Stark or Fury. The last 2 issues of his book have been build up, but I think his character hasn't been this interesting in years. From the top to the bottom, from frontman to fugitive. Good stuff. Ramashan, if Fractions current IM series isn't your cup of tea, the Knaufs did a great job with him before Fraction took over. Dark Reign just keeps getting better. I'm picking up the new T-Bolts and Dark Avengers today. Lanning and Abnett have been doing amazing things with Marvel's cosmic line-up. They've been given carte blanche over them, and thats a good thing. Most of the members of Guardians of the Galaxy are blank slates and Nova wasn't doing anything before those two Englishmen came along. Osborn is the man. He's the reason I really picked up Ellis' T-Bolts to begin with (Ellis mostly though). The thing with the older T-Bolts (Penance, Radiaactive Man, Bullseye, etc) being thrown under the bus is because Osborne was really using them as a stepping stone. He doesen't answer to anyone now, besides maybe Pres Obama (out now!) and he's dimantled the team officially. Can't wait to see the new team. I have most of them pegged, but two of them escape me. Also, glad to see Bucky as head of the New Avengers. Quite a vote of confidence.
Made a mistake and read spoilers for Dark Avengers on comic forums, I usually hate doing it but did so accidently. Looks like its gonna be a good issue setting up the team. Its not that I dont like Stark DMW its just I want to see him take responsibility for what he has brought about, he showed it a bit in last issue which was really good but he has yet to accept the full weight of his actions. In his quest to make the world safer, more secure etc he has put the world in dire peril instead (gee sounds familiar to a certain ex real life leader ). I was actually hoping for a bit of a broken Stark, one who has his fantasy of a better world shattered by his own arrogance...saw a bit of it with the workers taunting him and throwings things at him but he just seems far too upbeat and optimistic for a man who has pretty much brought near ruin to the planet over the years. There is being a futurist and there is being a fool and I think Stark is close to the fool mark about now. I love what they are doing with Osbourn I just hope it doesnt end in the cheesy and overly predictable way of him going insane with his petty obsession for Parker.
Mighty Avengers was um...wierd the return of Wanda, Pym leading the 2nd team with Hercules and the Hulk?! Guess Marvel is setting up big time the push for Pym to be a major character with his movie next year. Btw pick up the Xmen annual, absolutely fantastic story on Emma and the setup for Dark Reign. Man no way are Summers and Emma gonna remain a couple when all is set and done with this and I hope it eventually leads to one thing....the return of the hottest, universe eating, most powerful badass Red Head. Dark Reign? Sentry protecting Norman? Pfft no big deal for big red, snap of the fingers and he no longer exists! Wishful thing I know
Didn't check out MA this week. It looked a bit meh. But Hulk's on the team you say? And Wanda just comes out of left field? Pretty wier, as you say. Dark Avengers was great, however. It really is the antithesis of New Avengers, even down to the writing. The identities of the members of been pretty much correctly spectulated all over the internet. Plus, it doesen't take 5 issues to assemble the team. It's all delivered in this one issue. It's basically Ellis' T-Bolts 2.0 with Bendis' sharp writing and Deodato's stellar art. I loved it down to the last line! I'de say its a worthy buy unless you cant pony up the jacked up $3.99. I added it to my pull at the last minute. Plus, Doom and Morgan LeFey are in it. Check it out Danzig... Read the X-Men annual myself. We really have gone on too long without Ms. Grey. Scott is going to have her hands full. It's funny because I was watching the Dark Phoenix/ Hellfire Club episode of the 1990s X-Men show, and I couldn't help but wonder "When is Jean coming back?" Looks like we wont have to wait long. Good stuff man. And as far as Mr Stark goes, I see your points and their completely valid. I guess The fanboy in me comes out every now and then, lol. Oh, and did you get the new T-Bolts. Great stuff man. One of the best books this week. Just now Diggle is blazing his own path in T-Bolts mythology.
Yeah Hulk is though whether he stays or not dunno but the MA definately going to be Pym led team. Wanda's return IS kinda of left field because there is no stated reason she is back other then the reality changing things happen on the earth that arent from her and she collects all the avengers to combat it. And yeah I liked DA, one thing I do hope though is DA takes to forefront thing, if they play it off as its just another avengers team right along side Cap and Pym's team then its gonna be bleh. Osbourne after all isnt gonna sit by idle and let others steal glory. Gotta say though so far Im like War of Kings more then DA atleast initially, seeing the Inhumans stick it to the Kree was just so cool and love all the usage of tech to harness Blackbolt's powers. Guess the problem with Jean is she is just too powerful to bring back again without some huge event. I liked what they did with Namor in the Annual...though playing upon him being a mutant so strongly does change course with the character quite a bit. Man is Scott gonna be pissed when he sees how much whoring around Emma does Havent read new Tbolts yet still got a few books to finish up today.
Ok finished up my reading for week. TB was cool, poor Samson gonna end up in a nice prison by order of Obama! And man check out X-Factor, Im not gonna ruin it but man oh man.
SHHHHHHH! I have had no time to read all the titles I've bought for the past month so I have TB and X-Factor sitting on my shelf waiting to get to this weekend. So, please, at least say *spoiler* if your going to give anything away in the next week pweeeeeeze.
oops sorry man I usually wait 2 days after release before commenting on specific storylines, ill include spoilers in the future Go read them though, good issues.
Its all good, I could just avoid popping in here period, but I like hearing what people have to say about other titles. Its just that TB and X-Factor as well as Daredevil are my favorites at the moment.
I heard nothing but good things about X-Factor, so I picked up the first hardcover. I have to say, I fell in love right away. I like how it exists in its own little corner of the Marvel U, dealing specifically with the fallout of Decimation. I'm years behind, I know, but I think I'm gonna catch up with the other hardcovers shortly here. Characterization seems to be the real draw. After reading so such action-centric books sometimes I forget just how woderfull and stifying it is just to read something where the low-key parts are the strongest. Peter David is the man in that regard and her really has a knack for great, natural dialogue. Can't wait for more!
The only draw back to X-Factor is the, well, drawings. I'm not a huge fan of the style they use in the title. Although, the reason why i like it is because the stories and the characters are more down to earth than most other titles, so I suppose they are trying for a grittier style. By the way, read the recent issue. Laughed at the opening writers comments concerning spoilers for the next few issues. And have to say I was totally surprised, although its not like they hid anything the whole time. In perhaps a month or two we can talk more openly about it. Especially since we have to let Dead Man Wilson catch up.
