MARVEL -
Fear Itself
The 'Fear Itself' event is one that aims to unite all corners of the Marvel Universe, which has not been done on such a grand scale since Bendis' 'House of M' in 2005. This event has been spawned, albeit with a plethora of tie-ins, as the 'THOR' and 'CAPTAIN AMERICA' films cross our summer's path. The event is helmed by first-timer Matt Fraction, whose Invincible Iron Man/Uncanny X-Men/Thor works are all well received. This employs the aid of New Avengers/Ult Spiderman prodigy artist, Stuart Immonen. Both come to the forefront for the first time, as they illuminate a tale that ties Cap and Thor together, as the films approach.
Book of the Red Skull was impressive last month as Scott Eaton demonstrated his immense skill and artistic potential once more (as he did on DOOMWAR), and his future remains as bright as ever. This story's concept, conceived by Ed Brubaker, ties in the Red Skull's daughter, Sin, into Norse Mythology in a most intricate manner. Fraction's handling of Thor and his handing off of UXM to Kieron Gillen allowed Marvel to hand him the keys to this new event allowing Fraction a huge role to input his plans for Asgard and its constituents as we swing full off the heels of another Asgard plundering post-'SIEGE'!
With Brubaker leaving the rest of the event up to Fraction after Ed hatched the Sin-filled prologue, Ed heads off to script Bucky returning the mantle of Cap to Steve Rogers, and this allows Fraction to build 'Fear' on some recent Iron Man and Thor threads from his solo books, as he uses his mainstream prowess to mold this event for us all...regular fans...and for newbies alike.
It was sad that Ed had too big a workload and couldn't split the event with Matt, but Fraction and the ever-impressive Immonen will more than suffice.
The plot never loses steam as Brubaker utilizes Sin, who is looking to outdo and usurp the chaos her father set out during his time...Sin agrees an uneasy partnership with Baron Zemo, and the twists, gore and turns here, reek of Bru's Cap/Incognito books, as we see Sin going after some secrets that her father left behind for empty vessels. Sin is looking to outshine all under her new Skull moniker, and her guise is readily played off, as she and Zemo acheive their business target, with a nice loop at the end where Zemo is on the unfamiliar side of the coin.
Brubaker delves back to the WW2 Howling Commando days, where he shines so vibrantly! It's nice to see Bucky and the Invaders lending a helping hand, but it's quite enterprising and building to what fans would eagerly await- as it's all about misdirection!
From Atlanteans to new enemies, Eaton's art and Bru's dialogue on pages, do this prologue immense justice! The reason why Sin's search for this artifact ties in with Steve seemingly ready for Cap's mantle again post-Bucky Barnes, and it is an uncertain one but one I see reaping fruit in the future. Will the premise reek of acclaim? Well...thus far, it seems a win-win for all involved! Sin succeeds in her machinations, and in doing so...she heads for those she despises, but first has a little treasure to uncover! The end leaves room for a nice twist to it as a certain figure seeks future revenge as opposed to remaining forlorn, while Sin sets out to exhume a key artifact! It's mystery at its very best and one would think that if this were not hyped precariously and prevalently, then Marvel fans would not be exposed fully to the awesome brand of comic that has been promised time and time again to 'change the status quo of MU!'
There isn't any big surprise here but a no-shocker sometimes is the best one can that be gauged!
Onto Fraction's 'Fear Itself #1' out today, where Immonen delivers impeccable work and moreso the best I ever saw from him. It's a knock out of the park with this left-field beauty of a comic. The aesthetic pleasure is most welcome despite Fraction's script being sketchy. The dialogue at times, whether Midgard or Asgard, seems forced and often, trite. It sees some new Norse Mythos seeded into Marvel with Sin becoming a huge player in the game, and in doing so...she seeks out the big kahuna and key player, The Serpent. It's throwbacks to old Thor stories but seems just ripe with new with material to make heads spin. Sadly, Pasqual Ferry doesn't get in on the art, but after Fraction's somber Thor run...he picks up a stringent pace here rapildy and I cannot imagine to guess or anticipate what he has in store anymore...It's overwhelming as we see the Avengers bask in the awe of Odin and his defiant progeny. We see new Norse threats arrive to Earth, and certain heroes fleet of feet in retreat...as well as a villainous cast that beckons 'Worthy!' 8 remain to be chosen...1 already has lifted this hammer...and despite the hammer being easy to find and overthrow in the Arctic, it seems that Thor has much more punishment to endure in this event...and no better man to write it than his current scribe in Fraction. The issue ends on a quelling note that incorporates the amazing art and decent script...and it leads...to...What Now? That's a helluva way to end and wait till next week's tie ins. Earth and Asgard are now as different as can be...constituents and all!!! And once Fraction improves on his dialgoue and characterizations a bit, this seems like a sure win of an event!
DC-
Brightest Day 20-23
The wait is over...after seeing the schematics of Max Lord, the trials of Ollie Queen, the tribulations of all the Lantern Corps...after Blackest Night...things come to a grinding halt...a temporary one though...as we engage Johns' tying up loose ends on his series. With Ronnie Raymond, Jonn Jonn'z and Dove's arcs all still to be tied up...we see Johns craft a mesh of subtle nuance and intrigue as he mysteriously begins to have the White Ring reveal its intentions to wielder Boston Brand. There's the issue of the waivering missions and why is Life being restored or taken away with this White Light...but suspicions are not alleviated here...so wait till the final issue!
With Captain Cold, Jade, and the Firestorm family all getting a lot of screen time, it's Jonn's tale that touches me the most as he makes a soulful decision. We see Firestorm and team go up against the Anti-Monitor, and it's all cynical as we see Brand struggle with the ring's purpose and the Lantern's white resistivity.
Aquaman and the Hawks had their plots tied up, but with a new Aquaman series coming from this same creative team, the resurrected now gained more page focus as Johns concludes this tale and winds down. Prado, Syaf, Clark and Reis do a fantastic art job here and Johns/Tomasi know that they can't go wrong with such artists. It's also grand to see the other books tie in to this main book, but what was shocking was the lack of Green Lanterns. It seems they are more caught up in their works in the cosmic realm, and this isn't irking me, at all...not one bit...as Johns reveals his elemental chess-pieces to a villain rising from muck and ground. It's a new concept but one that isn't shaky. It wasn't the way I wanted BD or intended it to go, but I liked the focus on new breathers and characters with fresh air. Mera was not pronounced since Orin's fate, but I expect more soon in the final issue from them. As the Dark Enemy and Avatar of BD rises, Deadman and his team come face-to-face with the SAVIOUR AND PROTECTOR of Earth...and it's a doozy to say the least as I eagerly await Johns closing off this title...it's one that I want more from, but no worries as Johns and DC keep fleshing out mouth-watering books that I read...so till then...