Hello, guys and gals. Time for another weekly comic book review. Today's listing is just as short as lasts week’s, but as usual I keep doing what I do. Today's reads were worth it. Today’s releases are still worth reading despite waiting an extra due to the Fourth of July weekend. This week I review Brightest Day #5, Shadowland #1 and Thor: The Mighty Avenger #1. Also, I will talk about some upcoming comic related news. With that, let’s get started.
Brightest Day #5- It opens with the oil crisis as Aquaman and Mera seek to stop it, until they are attacked by a mysterious group of Atlanteans. Meanwhile, Deadman along with Hawk and Dove are trying unsuccessfully to revive the previous Hawk. Also we focus on Hawkman and Hawkwoman on an unknown planet wherein they are attacked by creatures of the ground and sky. Hawkwoman gets separated from her lover, and they fear that the Black Lantern may still exist in them. The issue ends with Mera telling Aquaman a haunting fact. I don't know why I keep reviewing this series because I always give it such high praise. Well this issue has cleared up some things I mentioned before. We finally focus on fewer characters. The issue only focused on three cases, whereas everything leading up to now has focused on five or six. This issue was a much easier read and was enjoyable as the others have been. Johns,as always, is spot on, and again the art is top notch. I give this issue an A+
Shadowland #1- We have finally arrived to the next event in the Marvel 616 universe. The issue opens with a group of Hand members saying they are gonna corrupt Murdock. Then you guessed it, take over the world (OF COURSE!). We see Bullseye being taken back to prison a la Hannibal Lecter. He tricks two guards by saying that the Sentry will return, but it was ultimately a bluff and was able to stop his heart. Once free, he returns to his old attire and goes after Matt Murdock's Shadowland territory. Meanwhile, in Avengers tower, Danny Rand, a.k.a. Iron Fist, and Luke Cage are worried about what’s going down with Matt. Thor, Cap, and Iron Man tell the two that if Matt doesn't comply with them, they will use force. Back with Bullseye, he takes out a few of the Hand ninjas which brings a new outfitted Daredevil to fight him for the last time. Bullseye fights a bunch of Hand ninjas before Daredevil comes in and defeats Bullseye and does more damage to him than I.F and L.C. were shocked to see. I LOVED THIS ISSUE. It’s well paced; it has some great action scenes, and is setting up for an all out brawl in the big apple. The artwork was well done; it gives this story a sense of darkness and dread, so hopefully all the action takes place in the night. I love the writing, every character feels like themselves and never feels like an imitation despite its being a different writer. I give this issue an A-
Thor: The Mighty Avenger #1- For those who are fans of the old Thor, they will be pleased by this new title. This seems to be more of an alternate re-telling of the mythology of the Marvel Universe’s THOR. This is totally different from the JMS Thor which we have been following until now, but a rather an old school Thor. The art style has a retro feel, similar to Kirby. The story begins with Jane Foster getting a job opportunity at a museum, where Thor is trying to steal an urn. He gets taken out of the place as Jane watches. Next, Jane and a male friend are walking past a bar as Thor is tossed out and keeps going in to stop a man from bugging a woman. He turns out to be MR HYDE!...Yes the same Hyde. Thor kicks his butt and Jane helps him back to the museum where she gives him the urn. Then Thor is reunited with his beloved Mjlonir. I actually enjoyed this title. It felt very old school, and was a great different take on the classic character. Although it does remind me somewhat of Jersey Gods, but I don't think it’s going to be like that the whole way through. I enjoyed the writing, which by the way is much simpler than JMS's or Kieron's version. As I mentioned, the art isn't about the scope of the characters, but the old school era feel. I enjoyed it and recommend it. I give it a B+
Comic News: It’s been announce that Fred Van Lente will be bringing us another unknown Avengers title in November. There has been some speculation as to what it may be; it’s most likely going to be a re-launch of West Coast Avengers. I truly hope it’s a Mystic Avengers title, which I would love to read since I will be adding two new DC titles to my reviewing when they are released. I will be buying, reading, and reviewing JMS's run on Superman and Wonder Woman. I loved his run on Thor, and saw all his works on Wiki that I think gives him enough credentials to do both titles justice. I can't just keep doing GL or Brightest Day.
And that’s all for this week. Stay tuned for tomorrow. I will be reviewing Predators. Til then AKI87 OUT!