With the ability to review comics comes a renewed desire to read comics, and I was really looking forward to the conclusion of this story. It’s been an interesting tale that once again put Wolverine, aka, Logan, in to a historical situation. The story is about love found and lost, revenge and seeking a measure of solace.
And it would only work in a Wolverine story, and I think Vaughan knew that as well!
Or – “Round Seven! FIGHT!!!!”
It’s all been building up to this…Â
The Prince of Orphans! The Daughters of The Dragon! Lei Kung’s Secret Army! Dog Brother #1! The Tiger’s Beautiful Daughter! The Hordes of Hydra! The Bride of Nine Spiders! Luke “Sweet Christmas!” Cage! Fat Cobra! And that Iron Fist kid…
Know this, dear friends:Â Heads will be BUSTED.
Or, “No, this guy was never an Avenger nor a woman named Rita…â€
In some of my previous Hero Histories, I talked a little bit about how Golden Age characters might make an appearance and never be seen again, or they could last through to today. While that was meant to be aimed at actual characters, it holds true for good names a well. You might recognize this week’s Hero History as a name belonging to one of Hank Pym’s various alter egos. Maybe you know it as a young ex-criminal named Rita DeMara who went to the future and on the way back was killed by a mind-controlled Iron Man. Or maybe you even know the pulp-era inspired character published by Shooting Star Comics. But, I can almost bet that you don’t know about the 1940’s crime writer who donned a yellow and black cape and fought crime as, The Yellowjacket!
Or, “Steve Rogers? Who’s Steve Rogers?â€
Last year Matt did a review of Avengers Next issue #1-5, and other than that, I have not had much exposure to the MC2 Universe, but here is what I know: MC2’s Earth-982 has heroes and villains that are descendant from the Marvel Heroes we know and love. The whole concept started with What If…? #105 and the story of May Parker, the daughter of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson-Parker. In the standard 616 Marvel Universe, May was (supposedly) kidnapped as a child, never to be seen in continuity again. In the 982 Marvel Universe, heretofore referred to as MC2, May grew up to become Spider-Girl and along with the sons and daughters of various Marvel heroes and villains, continues to fight crime in the tradition of their parents. Between 1998 and 2007 there where 13 different MC2 titles published. Only one title, Amazing Spider-Girl, survived, that is until American Dream came along.
Or – “It’s Always The Cute Ones…”
Megan Morse, also known as Miss Martian, has been something of an enigma among the Junior Justice League. Introduced during the “One Year Later” gap caused by 52, she has been pleasant, funny, bright and generally nice to be around. So, naturally, she’s a stone killer in disguise. Ever since it was revealed that she’s NOT one of J’onn J’onnz’ peaceful green Martians, but comes from the vicious line of white Martians, I’ve waited for her to grow fangs and try to eat people. After interacting with her own future self, and getting telepathically attitude adjusted, that day… has come!
Skrull Avengers – Assemble!
Thirty days have passed, and you’ve had your chance to get your fill of Secret Invasion tie-ins, which means it’s time to check back in on the stand off between the Marvel heroes that stepped off that wrecked space ship, and the Marvel heros that arrived from the mainland. You can bet there are more secrets to be revealed, and more spoilers ahead – you’ve been duly warned.
Or – “For The First Time Ever, An Actual New Warrior Appears!”
Hint: It ain’t Night Thrasher. But he does look all manly, and stuff, doesn’t he? Anyway, in recent years, comics have entered a phase wherein each individual issue is no longer treated as a singular entity. The old Jim Shooter storytelling method of explaining everything in each issue so casual readers won’t be lost has been thrown aside for a “write for the inevitable trade paperback” mentality. Nowhere has this “It’ll read better collected” mentality been so aptly illustrated than in the monthhly trainwreck called New Warriors. Will this issue be the one that changes this trend for the better?
or, Geoff Johns, the Master of the RetCon
Green Lantern #30 was highly anticipated in the Hill household, as I would get to see part 2 of what I believe to be a 3 part origin story, and it didn’t disappoint. Beautiful artwork, beautiful storytelling, and just the right amount of twist to give the story a new breath of fresh air.
Now don’t get me wrong, the Green Lantern origin story is one of the greatest there is. It is simple, uncomplicated; Abin Sur crashes, Hal Jordan is brave. What more do you want?
But the GL origin story was, more often than not, part of a greater story. This time, it is the story!
Or, “F-R-E-E, that spells free…â€
This past Saturday was Free Comic Book Day, and my family and I went to one of the comic stores in our area to partake in the festivities. Unfortunately, as we do not have the logistics to accurately plan a time of departure with a five-week old daughter, we missed out on many of the events at Heroes And Dreams. Fortunately, we did not miss out on the free comics! I picked up a copy of Gemstone Publishing’s EC Sampler, my wife chose the Bongo Comics Free-For-All, and we picked up a copy of DC’s Tiny Titans as our daughter’s first comic.
Or, “From Giant Transforming Mafia Princess To Magic Hockey Stigmatism Geeks…â€
Is it just me, or does Manhunter look remarkably like she’s telling that mysterious figure to knock off the bad Tor Johnson impersonation? “Would you please just get me my Pina Colada with an umbrella in it, please? Ed Wood is dead and I don’t feel so great myself, dangit!” Still, this issue heralds the return of Kate Spencer, Manhunter, to the ranks of the Birds of Prey, while another operative makes her graduation to the big leagues and Oracle has to evaluate her strategies… What are you waiting for? Click the link, wouldjas?
Or, “This Is The Story… Of 7 Strangers… Picked To Murder Dynamo 5…”
…and find out what happens when people STOP being polite, and start getting homicidal.Â
The Real World:Â Tower City!
I had the opportunity to see the Iron Man movie last evening. The best part about this showing? It wasn’t sold out, wasn’t packed with noisy kids talking during the movie, and not a single cell phone went off during the flick. All in all, a great movie going experience.
But what of the movie itself? I have a few early thoughts after the jump.