ComicCritic87’s weekly comic spotlight
Hello there friends, this week is a very minor and small week of comic releases this week, I had only 1 DC comic this week, Demon Knights #3, and it would obviously to considered my top pick for DC anyway so rather than doing a super short review this week, I will do a special spotlight on Marvel’s biggest post Fear Itself called POINT ONE. This title is a nod to the .1 initiative Marvel has been doing to introduce many newcomers to jump into any title that is currently out there, I haven’t read any of them myself since I’ve seen many if not most of them being underwhelming stories that bear no plot in the stories continuity. This huge one shot is the starting ground for new stories that are going to be told as well as planting the seeds of a few new comic titles that will be coming to us next year. I will review each story amongst the ones provided and at the end I will rank them. There a quite a number of stories so let’s start with the framing story.
Story #1- BEHOLD THE WATCHER
Written by Ed Brubaker
Artwork by Javier Pulido
Story: This story acts as a framing device for each other story that follows. We see UATU the Watcher in his chamber staring at a futuristic Ipad and begin to download all that he has monitored to a collective mindset. While he is doing these two mysterious thieves enters UATU’s chamber, they have discovered there is a loophole in his power, and while he is downloading all his thoughts he is unable to see anything else for 45 minutes. The two thieves, one named Andrew begin their extraction of all the various events that are to happen in not just one universe but in others. They leave just in time before UATU awakens and say that the UNSEEN shall kill UATU and know all his secrets.
Review: As a framing device, this story is one of the best uses of framing each story together, The seamless transition from the first story all the way to the last was greatly implemented. This story is a great effort by Brubaker considering I see him as more of an earth based action title like the Cap titles, but seeing him do science fiction is a nice departure and hopefully he does more. This story pays a lot of tribute to the greatness that is UATU, the two thieves delve into the mystery into whom or what he is, even speculating that he is something no one can comprehend. Overall, this story is good, uses the framing technique really well, and pays tribute to a well-known character.
Artwork: The art by Javier Pulido in this issue is a tribute and homage to the great Jack Kirby, the design of the characters and the world they are in is very much in tune to what Kirby drew in his day, as well as the coloring keeping a more retro appeal rather than being up to date.
Grade: A-
Story #2- Nova: HARBINGER
Written by Jeph Loeb
Artwork by Ed McGuinness
Story: Nova is battling the evil ruler TERRAX, they are fighting one another as Nova tries to warn TERRAX that something is coming and he must flee. TERRAX scoffs at Nova that he fears nothing. Nova retreats from the planet as far an as fast as possible. TERRAX and his entire planet are soon consumed by a powerful white fire, as Nova rushes to Earth to warn of the return of the PHOENIX.
Review: Well I have seen a lot of people who were worried about Loeb taking on a character many fans have seen as a return to grace after the huge effort by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning who have both have made great strides in the “cosmic Marvel” books. Those fans should be at rest, Jeph Loeb does a pretty good job with this story, I’m not that knowledgeable with the “cosmic” aspects of the Marvel universe but this story manages to keep you interested in the two characters, which to me is an interesting aspect the story gives us. We only see Nova and TERRAX fighting one another, we see the people of the planet running in terror but TERRAX is the only person fighting Nova. Overall this story has a nice amount of action and the conclusion is a stepping stone for something much bigger.
Artwork: The art by McGuinness seems to compliment Loeb in certain aspects. They seem to go hand in hand with one another. The artwork is done pretty nicely here. The drastic redesign of Nova is what many people were stunned by, I do agree he looks like a Shredder rip-off, but his new design is not that bad, his overall look is still faithful with only the helmet that has changed. The big reveal of the Phoenix and its white flame is drawn very awe inspiring.
Grade: B-
Story #3- Age of Apocalypse: THE MYTH OF MAN
Written by David Lapham
Artwork by Roberto de la Torre
Story: A man named Krakken is putting his son to bed who tells his daddy he is afraid of a man known as the RED PROPHET. Krakken tells his son not to worry that he has slain this Red Prophet with his own mutant power and that no more humans exist in a world where mutants rule. He leaves his sons room and sees his wife laying on the couch, dead, he soon is greeted by the Red Prophet, a living breathing Human. Krakken and the Red Prophet fight one another as Red Prophet over powers him and kills the mutant, leaving the son be. The Red Prophet regroups with his team, the last surviving humans on the face of the earth to battle Weapon X and his mutant’s.
Review: I was really quite surprised by this story, I have always mentioned that I know very little of the mutants and their impact in the overall Marvel universe, it’s obvious that this story takes place in the alternate universe where mutants rule and humanity is all but extinct. I like how this world takes an opposite approach where a young boy is afraid of a “human” making them out to be monsters. The big reveal that humans are still alive and are fighting back. Overall I was impressed by the direction this story gave us, especially for another universe.
Artwork: The art by Torre is FANTASTIC, this reminds me very heavily of the art style in the current run on Venom, there is a sense of dark and dirtiness to it while keeping the characters refreshing and uniquely created. The look and feel of this world is dark and bleak while the human characters have more elaborate designs in terms of their costumes, especially with Prophet who could be a dead ringer for Azrael.
Grade: A-
Story #4- Scarlet Spider: THE SCARLET THREAD
Written by Chris Yost
Artwork by Ryan Stegman
Story: Following the events of Spider Island, Kaine leaves New York and heads as far away from people as possible. He hops on a bus as a robbery is in process. He talks to himself that he is more of a monster than a human but his Parker side kicks in and heads over to the scene of the crime. He attacks the bank robbers and spares their lives. He leaves with a new perspective as he walks down the road.
Review: When it comes to Spider-man spinoffs, they are almost for certain that they will have some level of fan followings, Venom is one of the best comics out there, and I believe Scarlet Spider with have some big shoes to fill. To be clear this isn’t Scarlet Spider-man, this is Scarlet SPIDER, since Kaine has never embraced the Human side to himself because he was born as a clone. This story shows a loner embrace that the main Amazing title isn’t doing, that to me adds a new flavor to the characterization of who Kaine is and how will he forge his destiny. The biggest surprise to me is Chris Yost as the writer, for those who don’t know, Chis Yost is the head writer for Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes as well as being a writer on many other iconic titles, so when it comes to writing characters, he does a stellar job with this story. Overall this story feels really solid and a whole new take on a character with an interesting backstory.
Artwork: The art by Ryan Stegman is some pretty great art design. However I do have to call a little bit of a foul, Kaine on his trip has a full grown beard after only 4 days. It’s a pretty full beard too, like Thor’s beard in the Ultimate universe, while in Amazing Spider-man #673 we see Kaine with scruff but not a beard. Other than that the artwork is great and his design with the hoodie is just pure awesome.
Grade: A+
Story #5- Coldmoon and Dragonfire: YING & YANG
Written by Fred Van Lente
Artwork by Salvador Larroca
Story: Two young children, one boy and one girl, are being raised in rooms by a kind woman. One possesses the power of fire while the young girl has the power of ice. Years pass until one day they feel each other’s presence and reunite as brother and sister, who are twins. They learn of the man who is behind all this who is working with AIM. The twins find the Avengers battling AIM agents and join in the fray to help the heroes and themselves.
Review: Out of all the stories I felt this one to be the weakest and least interesting. The story does introduce two new characters but the way they introduced them was a bit uninspiring. They back and forth them living in separation from one another while the same dialogue is spoken about both of them except switch their powers. Also the organization making these two kids into weapons is not even subtle about it, the woman that “raised” them turned out to be a part of AIM. I’m a fan of Van Lente, I know he can do some fun ideas but this one I’m not that interested in. Overall, its an interesting story, not for everyone, read or skip on your own discretion.
Artwork: The art by Larraco is done really well. The action moments with various heroes in them is well done, giving us plenty of space to see who is in the group and even the two teens are nicely designed including their powers.
Grade: C+
Story #6- Dr. Strange: THE SHAMAN OF GREENWICH VILLAGE
Written by Matt Fraction
Artwork by Terry Dodson
Story: Dr. Strange is strolling about Greenwich Village as he sees a familiar man who is well known around the area. He notices some strange behavior occurring with him and dives into the man’s mind where he discovers there is more to him than he expected.
Review: I’m a pretty big fan of supernatural and mysticism in my comics, and this story does a fantastic job creating a sense of awe and wonder at how magical a place can be. Whether it’s Batman talking about Gotham, Zatanna talking about San Francisco, or even Spider-man talking about all of New York, we can now add Dr. Strange to that list of people who love where they live. Matt Fraction does a good amount of exposition and character dialogue. While this story is little on action, that seems to be a Fraction staple, he gives us mostly character and plot while saving up all the action for the ending half of an arc, which can work in his favor at times. The big mystery with this man Dr. Strange knows adds a nice level of a mystical thriller element. Overall an interesting story but could have used a bit of action in it.
Artwork: Terry Dodson’s artwork is nothing short than amazing, I like the design of the characters, I like the color choices used. The amount of detail with certain places and people are really good. An interesting note with some of the characters, a few of them appear to have elf ear syndrome.
Grade: B+
Story #7- Avengers: AGE OF ULTRON
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Artwork by Bryan Hitch
Story: A group of Ultron’s descends onto a building in New York telling the people inside to exit the building. We see that a few of the people in the building are Hawkeye and Spider-man both looking battle weary. They can barely take a sonic barrage the robotic menaces are dishing out. Hawkeye gets in a few shots and takes them out. Spider-man and Hawkeye run off to find “others”.
Review: This is how you top off an anthology title like this, wow, simply wow. Out of all the stories in this series, this one leaves me most anxious to see how this happens and when it happens. My guess with the various futuristic buildings around this slum building I say this takes place not long after Fear Itself and show how Ultron gets involved. The use of just 2 heroes and they are extremely down on their luck it seems was another brilliant choice. Brian Michael Bendis is essentially the Geoff Johns of Marvel, he has a broad scope of what he wants to do with certain titles and this one seems like its going to be another huge event in Marvel’s History. Overall this issue combines action and story seamlessly giving us exactly what this book was supposed to do, build up hype.
Artwork: Bryan Hitch is one of my favorite artists; he did artwork for the Ultimate’s and his attention to detail with the characters in this story is amazing. I’m truly hoping that this is going to happen post Acuna run on the Avengers, Hitch is such a talented artist that he knows how to create such dynamic action moments.
Grade: A+
So those are the all the stories in this anthology title POINT ONE. Here are my rankings for these seven stories (excluding my grades).
1.Avengers:AGE OF ULTRON
2.Age of Apocalypse:THE MYTH OF MAN
3.Scarlet Spider:THE SCARLET THREAD
4.BEHOLD THE WATCHER
5.Dr. Strange:SHAMAN OF GREENWICH VILLAGE
6.Nova:HARBINGER
7.Coldmoon & Dragonfire:YING AND YANG
That’s all for this week for my reviews, next week will be a return to form, with 10 issues coming in next week: 4 DC, 4 Marvel, and 2 IDW. Enjoy friends…..