Comic Book Herald

A Comic Book Reading Order Guide For Beginners & Fans

Marvel Reviews

Bomber Jackets & Love Triangles, The Avengers: The Gathering Omnibus

by Leave a Comment

Avengers #366, written by Bob Harras, art by Steve Epting and Tom Palmer, lettering by Rick Parker

The early-to-mid-’90s were a wild time for superhero comics, and the overall “heavy on action, low on plot and character development” vibes have been commented on far and wide. Still, for all the bad, this was a time where major shake-ups were happening across the board. This omnibus collects a truly weird era of the Avengers in which the cast was flipped on its side with mostly lesser-known characters like the Black Knight and Crystal of the Inhumans taking the spotlight, and just about everyone owned at least one bomber jacket. Mainstays like Captain America and Iron Man disappear, and the book takes on a moody, tempestuous vibe rare to the Avengers. Love it or hate it, the era that brought us Avengers: The Gathering shook up the status quo of a team that could, at times, feel stagnant.

Collects: Avengers (1963) #343-344 And #348-375, Avengers Annual #22, Avengers Strikefile, X-Men (1991) #26, Avengers West Coast #101, Uncanny X-Men (1981) #307, Black Knight: Exodus And Avengers Anniversary Magazine [Read more…] about Bomber Jackets & Love Triangles, The Avengers: The Gathering Omnibus

X-Men Epic Collection: The Sentinels Live Review!

by 1 Comment

On my thirteenth birthday, I was given my first collection of X-Men comics. The characters were already legend. I’d spent the last few years being told stories, bits and pieces cobbled together from comics, and cartoons, and movies. When I started to read that collection, it did not disappoint. I fell in love with each character, the variety of personalities and backstories, all coming together to make a family. Each character showed a different philosophy, a different worldview, a different moral code, and they bounced off each other, creating a world that reflected the real one, creating a team that had depth and nuance.

Was it, at times, soap opera? Absolutely. But it was soap opera that worked, because each character had a beating heart. These X-Men are not those X-Men. [Read more…] about X-Men Epic Collection: The Sentinels Live Review!

Doctor Doom by Christopher Cantwell & Salvador Larroca Review!

by 1 Comment

In a word, Doctor Doom by Christopher Cantwell and Salvador Larroca is propulsive. It kicks off quick and does not stop. The hook is simple: an international tragedy has occurred, and it looks like Doom is the culprit. This makes ol’ Victor the world’s most wanted fugitive, and puts him at a severe disadvantage. Good pitch! Doom is indisputably the best villain in the Marvel universe, possibly of comics in general, and conceivably the entirety of fiction. And the comic is good… but not perfect! To better understand the quality of this series, we are going to turn to three men. The first is series writer Christopher Cantwell. The second: main series artist Salvador Larroca. And finally, we will consider Victor Von Doom himself, in all his armored glory. [Read more…] about Doctor Doom by Christopher Cantwell & Salvador Larroca Review!

How to (Re)Read the Hickman Era of X-Men: House of X #3, “Once More Unto the Breach” – Pt.1

by Leave a Comment

At last! A two-issue run of Year 10 action! (Well, HOX 3 is actually mostly just suspense.)

And the Pepe Larraz cover of HOX 3, a blockbuster sci-fi action movie poster, kicks it off. We’ve got five senior X-Men—the revived trio of Cyke, Logan, and Jean; Kurt wielding a very large sword, much larger than his usual rapier or cutlass; and Warren as Archangel—and “Gen Xers” Monet and Paige Guthrie, or Husk. Their target is clear: The Mother Mold in orbit around the Sun.

Related:

Hickman X-Men Reading Order

Krakin’ Krakoa!

More in this series!

[Read more…] about How to (Re)Read the Hickman Era of X-Men: House of X #3, “Once More Unto the Breach” – Pt.1

Shang-Chi by Gene Luen Yang & Philip Tan Review!

by Leave a Comment

Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung Fu, has been punching and kicking his way around the Marvel universe since 1973. Despite being a year older than the likes of Wolverine, he’s never really led an ongoing series (with his name on the cover). Well, if you’ve ever wondered what a Shang-Chi ongoing would look like, there’s a pilot of sorts: a propulsive miniseries by Gene Luen Yang (Dragon Hoops, Superman Smashes the Klan), Dike Ruan (Black Cat), and Philip Tan (Batman and Robin, Spawn). Shang-Chi shows us exactly what makes Marvel’s premiere martial arts hero stand out from the pack. [Read more…] about Shang-Chi by Gene Luen Yang & Philip Tan Review!