Chris' Comics Corner

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #156
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Mark Bagley
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Event Watch: Death of Spider-Man Part 1

"Not again."

This issue marks two important milestones for this title. The first, of course, is the reunion of the creative team currently holding the record for longest uninterrupted run on a single title (this one as a matter of fact). Yes, Bendis and Bagley are reunited and it feels so good. Ultimate Spider-Man has had the good fortune of showcasing a number of very, very talented artists. But Mark Bagley was there first, and his style will always be the high water mark to which others are measured. From his expressive depiction of Peter and Mary Jane's flirty interaction in the diner, to his lithe and agile wall crawler following Captain America into battle, Bagley showcases all of the strengths that make him a quintessential Spider-Man artist.

The second milestone is that this issue is the first official chapter of the "Death of Spider-Man" storyline (following what seemed like a year's worth of preludes and prologues). And while the creative team positively hums together, I can't help but feel a bit let down by this issue. Bendis scripts the hell out of the exchanges between Peter and MJ, and Peter and Steve Rogers. Bendis knows these characters well, and it is to his credit that as always he makes the dialogue, clever, engaging, and natural.

However the rest of this issue, namely the scenes at the Triskelion felt like very familiar rehashes of material from previous arcs: "Ultimate Six" and "Death of A Goblin". Certain beats play out almost exactly as they did in those stories, I even think a couple lines were reused.

I also have mixed feelings on the resurrection that occurs in this issue, first, because in a story entitled the "Death of Spider-Man", starting things off with a resurrection doesn't really lend gravity to the situation if the story is really going where Marvel wants us to think it's going. Secondly, while it is nice to see the return of an A-list character in the Ultimate Universe which has said goodbye to so, so many other A-list characters recently, if this is all we're going to get from him, I don't see why Dr. Octopus couldn't have been the driving force behind this arc instead of the character who returns. The Ultimate Clone Saga set Doc Ock up nicely as Peter's true arch nemesis as none of his other big bads ever came close to wounding Peter the way that Octavius did in that story.

I'm ecstatic Bendis and Bagley are back together, but this story is going to have to start treading new ground fast if it is to become the blockbuster that Bendis and Marvel are touting it as.

Grade: B (I was gonna go with a B-, but damn if I'm not just THAT happy to see Bagley back on this book.)




FF #1
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Steve Epting
Publisher: Marvel

"Everyone! Prepare for spatial tunneling… We have to find some new ideas."

The Fantastic Four is no more. In it's place stands the Future Foundation. Reed, Sue, and Ben are joined by their children Franklin and Valeria Richards, a whole group of super intelligent youngsters from various species, an android Dragon, Alex Power (from the power pack), Nathaniel Richards (Reed's long lost time traveling father and genius in his own right), the Amazing Spider-Man, and a surprise final addition who makes their presence known in a fantastic twist ending to this stellar debut issue.

Whole lotta character running through a book which used to boast one of the smallest teams in comics. And you know what? It really works. The more dangerous super heroics are still handled by the core group of Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Thing, and Spider-Man, but Four Freedoms Plaza has a lot of new faces running around it. While this new group is more of a think tank, the familial tone that defines these characters and this title (be it a Fantastic Four book by any other name…) is still front and center, especially in the scene where the whole group sits down to dinner together.

I especially like the generational aspect now that Reed's dad has been thrown into the mix. Reed is used to being the final word on most science related situations, and also the patriarch of his clan. Having his equally brilliant father present is sure to alter this dynamic and opens the door to some interesting dramatic situations to explore. It was also nice to see the exchange between the three generations of Richards geniuses: Nathan, Reed, and Valeria.

Steve Epting is really getting a chance to shine on this book. His art has this very classic feel to it but with a darker, edgier undertone to it. I think that's exactly what this book needs right now. The death of Johnny is still weighing very heavily on everyone, especially Ben and Franklin, and the absence of the Human Torch makes the danger seem that much more palpable. Epting's pages have that clean, traditional super hero feel but there is also sadness in his characters, and maybe a hint of a forboding atmosphere throughout the whole issue. I think a lot of credit there should go to Epting and fellow inker Rick Magyar who just drenches certain sequences in much needed tone setting shadow.

If I had one complaint it would be the reintroduction of the Wizard as a villain, seeing how this book has been all about new ideas and looking to the future, and how the Fantastic Four's easy dismissal of him in Hickman's first issue set the tone for his run to date. However who am I to argue with the master plan that I know Jonathan Hickman possesses, I'm sure in the long run I will end up praising this move as sheer and utter brilliance.

The issue ends on a huge cliffhanger that is sure to lead to some major fire works next month, and undoubtedly throughout the year. As epic as it felt at the time, reading this issue makes me feel like Hickman's run on Fantastic Four, was just rearranging the pieces and setting things in motion for the true epic narrative to begin. This is a fantastic (couldn't resist) relaunch issue, and given the promise shown in this #1 as well as Hickman's previous work, this book will be a strong contender for my favorite series of 2011.

Grade: A


Green Lantern #64
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Doug Mahnke
Publisher: DC
Event Watch: War of the Green Lanterns Part 1

"I turned your Manhunters against the Universe. Now it's time to do the same with your Green Lanterns."

Wow, this issue goes full throttle start to finish, and if you think things look bad for Hal at the beginning of the book, just wait till you get to the end.

I really have to commend DC for keeping a lot of the details of this story close to the vest. In the internet age where most story premises are leaked long before the books hit the shelves, I had surprisingly little pre-knowledge of this story or why the Green Lantern Corps would be going to war with itself (other than that it would have something to do with the mad guardian, Krona).

This issue picks up with Salaak being tasked to lead a group of Green Lanterns to arrest Hal for neglecting his duties, and conspiring with the leaders of the other various powered Corps. Things go from bad to worse when Krona makes his move against Oa and the Guardians of the Universe. Going into this story, I wondered how Johns could possibly top the enormously high challenges and stakes he established in Blackest Night. One issue in, I can confidently say, that won’t be a problem.

This issue marks a return to form for Johns. While his stories are as engaging and exciting as ever, I've noticed his dialogue suffering a little bit in recent months (possibly a result of the demands of his new day job as chief creative officer for DC comics). However, he is most definitely on his game this issue with the exception of one slightly expository exchange between Hal and Sinestro.

Doug Mahnke really gets to cut loose drawing aliens, alien worlds, and strange powers. His art dances over a wonderful line between high adventure and dark horror, which perfectly suits the subject matter of this title. He uses a number of splashes and spreads that really underscore the immensity of the plot developments but compensates by packing a lot of panels onto the other pages. Trust me, while any other artist's work might have felt cluttered using this technique, Mahnke's pages feel fast paced and packed with story.

This event is off to a very promising start, I look forward to seeing hot it develops, and how our favorite GL's of Sector 2814 weather this nasty new storm.

Grade: A-


Green Lantern Corps #58
Writer: Tony Bedard
Artist: Tyler Kirkham
Puslbisher: DC
Event Watch: War of the Green Lanterns Part 2

"Did you think it an accident I granted you the last power ring?"

And I didn't have to wait very long, because part 2 also went on sale this week. I don't normally buy this book, but I'm picking it up for the crossover with it's two sister titles which I do buy regularly. I have to say I am impressed by Bedard's handling of these characters and I think he is definitely capable of holding his own with Johns and Tomasi in the coming months.

This issue is a just as action heavy as part 1 was, if a little more focused on a tighter group of characters and fewer plot developments. There are some really exceptional character moments for Kyle and Ganthet in this issue, and by the book's end, John, Kyle, and Ganthet have found themselves in a situation even more dire than the one facing Hal.

Haven't seen much of Tyler Kirkham's work before this. Can't say I'm all that thrilled with his art. His figures are a bit too scratchy and blocky for my tastes. However I did like the ring Constructs he drew during Ganthet's fight with Kyle and John.

DC editorial has strongly hinted that this story isn't gonna end well for one of the four human GL's. And given this issue, I'd have to say that Kyle fans may want to brace themselves for some bad news in the coming months. But on the bright side it looks like he'll be getting plenty of spotlight in the meantime.

Grade: B+


Captain America 615.1
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Mitch Breitweiser
Publisher: Marvel

"Do you want to create a new M.O.D.O.K. or do you want to fight some idiot who thinks he's Captain America?"

Longtime readers of this column will remember my mixed feelings and frustrations with Marvel's .1 initiative. The books rarely seem to do what their intended purpose is: give a standalone story to inform new readers of what's been happening on the title and advance the plot for readers who have been here all along. While this issue fills us in on Steve's current status quo, and advances his story a bit, it really leaves out Bucky who at the moment is the titular character (though an impending movie release and the subject matter of this issue strongly suggest that might be changing soon).

The story is good, but it feels a bit repetitive. Steve catches wind of a new person taking up the mantle of Captain America and moves to shut him down before A.I.M. murder him, or worse (much, much, much worse). Brubaker handles the action scenes well and plays the two Caps off each other nicely, and even offers up a solid twist at the end. My only disappointment is that we already had a fake Cap running around in this title for like a year or two, and I believe it was only two story arcs ago that we saw the exit of that character. Let's give the fake Caps a rest for awhile huh?

Mitch Breitweiser on the other hand is thoroughly fantastic. I almost wish he was on the regular title. Nothing against regular Cap penciler Butch Guice, but Guice's style (and this might be an Inker's fault) sometimes seems too cartoony for a realistic espionage book. Breitweiser's pencils are thoroughly dark and gritty the whole way through.

Decent issue, but definitely could have done without another fake Cap.

Grade: B


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Chris' Comics Corner

Thundersnow is making the lights flicker. I love you all so much that I'm writing this column instead of watching all the cable I can before the inevitable brown out hits our block, and my housemates and I are forced to amuse ourselves with what promises to be the world's longest ever game of Marco Polo. So here we go.
Reviews.

Fantastic Four #587
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Johnathan Hickman
Artist: Steve Epting

Johnathan Hickman has a plan.

In a week where I bought over ten titles, this was the big one. So big, that it shipped a day early. So big that The AP and Marvel's "brilliant" (what's the point of shipping the issue in a sealed black bag if you're going to spoil it in a press release before the stores open?) PR department. So big that even though I guessed correctly who would die at the end of the ominously titled '3' story arc, I still found myself reading the issue on the edge of my seat.

If you had told me years ago that the most foreboding and tense title on the stands would be Fantastic Four, I would have laughed in your face. I'm a big fan of these characters (especially since Mark Waid's run), but those are not words that I readily associate with this title. And if you had told me that the title could do this while still maintaining the sense of dysfunctional family and daring adventure that has been the lifeblood of this title since the very beginning, I would have laughed until I cried.

The concluding chapter of '3' saw most of the family separated from each other and facing dire crises with millions of lives and whole worlds at stake. It is to the credit of this creative team that each character seemed to be in genuine peril. The actual death sequence is handled so well that even the harshest critic of deaths in comics will be forced to acknowledge its resonance. The hero's end is fitting, heroic, and beyond tragic. And if that final page doesn't just rip your heart out, I would suggest paying some sort of shaman to tell you where your soul got off to.

When Marvel announced that Dale Eaglesham would be stepping off this title, I was crushed, but now I feel like only Steve Epting could have drawn this arc, and only Steve Epting can illustrate the adventures of these characters going forward. His art is dark, but filled with wonder. His characters are gritty, but expressive and warm. He is a masterful storyteller and he should be applauded as a detail man on the level of Bryan Hitch. If you don't believe me, just look at the pages where Johnny, Ben, and the Future Foundation are facing off against the Annihilation Wave and be amazed.

Hickman himself realizes what an asset he has at his disposal. There is no unnecessary dialogue on the issue's final few pages. He lets his creative partner do the lion's share of the work. What little dialogue there is in this sequence is necessary, nuanced, and says volumes in just a few carefully chosen words.

Hickman's Fantastic Four is a masters class in intricate planning and thematic storytelling. It wasn't readily apparent at first but now it is clear, there has been no "throw away" issue, no 'throw away" sequence, no "throw away" cameo, everything, EVERYTHING has mattered, has been a part of Hickman's grand and masterful design. Hickman's run has drawn on these characters entire rich history, reignited the sense of wonder, excitement, and exploration that seemed to disappear from the title years ago, and injected an unprecedented level of darkness and tension into the book. And as a result, Marvel's first family has been painfully pushed to the top of the list of comic's highest quality titles.

This issue was a tragic. It was the end of one of Marvel's first super heroes. It was the end of the Fantastic Four. Everything has changed. And I for one can't wait to see what happens next. Because Johnathan Hickman has a plan.

Grade: A


Captain America #614
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Butch Guice

I hate to say it, but I've been a little disappointed by this title recently. The "Trial of Captain America" arc has been decidedly lacking in trial as of late. And maybe I'm in the minority here, but I would really have preferred to see the court room drama play out in full. Instead, Sin, the new Red Skull, forces Cap to make a choice that brings the actual trial to a an abrupt close and damns his chances of being legally absolved of the crimes he committed while brainwashed to be a Soviet Super Agent. The issue, isn't so much bad as it is disappointing, eschewing a tense legal drama in favor of what Im sure will be an excellent fight scene, but lets face it, for super hero comics, it's business as usual.

Grade: B-


Teen Titans #91
Publisher: DC
Writer: J.T. Krul
Artist: Nicola Scott

Ever since Geoff Johns left this title, the book had been in creative upheaval. It seemed like every few issues the team roster changed, or a new writer came on board with a "bold new direction." All of these directions seemed to miss two key concepts. This title should be fun, and these characters should want to be around each other. By embracing these two simple principles, J.T. Krul has achieved a quality 180 and put this title back on track to the heights it achieved under Johns.

This issue sees the team (one that is thankfully once again boasting an A-List roster: Superboy, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash, Beast Boy, Raven, Ravager, and Damien Wayne's Robin. This group actually FEELS like the Teen Titans.) facing off against a trio of high school students who have been altered by a mysterious new adversary. However one of the empowered students, the one who was most ostracized and beaten down in high school has decided he's had enough, and goes berserk.

The idea of a high school outcast snapping and lashing out at his tormentors is well tread ground that is often handled in a really cheesy manner, however J.T. Krul sticks the landing, making the antagonist believable and more importantly doesn't force you to roll your eyes every time the character speaks. I like that Kid Flash and Raven were instrumental to achieving victory. Bart has really grown as a character, and J.T. Krul is emphasizing how much of an asset someone with a photographic memory who can read at super speed can be. And the scene where Raven cuts loose really emphasizes the vast darkness within her and the power she wields. I also really like the budding friendship between Ravager and Damien Wayne as these two really are two peas in a pod.

There's also a very nicely handled moment at the end of the issue where Superboy and Wonder Girl make a decision about their relationship. Teen romance in comics is often handled with a healthy dose of melodrama and very little rationality. However here, while both characters want different things, there both have mature and understandable motivations. The fact that they react to the break up sad, but amicably makes them more likable as protagonists and invests me more in the characters than an overblown fight followed by issues and issues of pouting and pining ever would.

Nicola Scott is fast becoming one of the best artists in DC's stable, and I'm terrified she's going to be pulled off this book in favor of a more high profile assignment. Her style is clean, expressive, and adds flourishes of body language that add whole layers to the scenes. I'm specifically referencing a scene from last issue where several characters were fiddling with their costumes before entering battle. This detail humanizes the characters and reminds us that even as super heroes they still struggle with the same insecurities all teens have (I think we can all remember being young and stressing over making sure an outfit looked just right. Or was that just me?).

With the first story arc concluding this month, I can safely say that after years of uncertainty and painful creative missteps, this title is finally in good hands, and I for one hope that we have many more stories to look forward to from this top notch creative team.

Grade: B+


Where Do We Go From Here?

I had a hard time deciding what to write about for this feature this week. A lot has happened recently that I could write about: Joe Quesada stepping down as EIC of Marvel, the announcement that for the first time in over a decade the flagship X-Title would be written by someone who is not a "big name writer", or even DC's Iconic Cover Initiative. Some of these things, especially Joe Quesada's legacy, I fully intend on addressing in time. However when I really sat down to start writing, I realized that the thing that was most weighing on my mind was the closing of Wizard Magazine.

Wizard Magazine was the most mainstream source of print comics journalism in existence. Comics journalism is an odd mix of real journalism, hype, and propaganda. And for many years Wizard Magazine was the go to source for it.

Sure I stopped reading the magazine a long time ago. It's expensive and over time the coverage left more and more to be desired. I could get better comics news faster from websites like Newsarama.com and ComicBookResources.com.

However Wizard played an essential part in shaping my tastes as a young comics reader. It always pushed me to try new books and helped me to keep tabs on those I wasn't able to afford.

To this day I enjoy looking back at my old copies of Wizard, especially the Summer, or New Year preview issues, to remind me what were the hot titles of the time, and what who were the most anticipated creative teams. I like to read what was being said about certain title and reflect on whether these books lived up to the hype or fell flat in the execution. Wizard is a condensed record of some of my fondest comics memories.

The Magazine will continue in a digital format, but that's really not the point. With the death of the print edition, at least for now, there really is nothing else like what Wizard was. Maybe that isn't a bad thing, as the magazine was really in decline near the end. However the nostalgic in me will miss being able to hold that thick, glossy collection of hyperbole and insider information in my hands.

Or maybe I'm reacting to something else entirely. As more and more titles are being offered in digital format, is the end of Wizard a portent of the death of physical comics in favor of cheaper digital versions? Only time will tell.


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