So before I begin, let’s get this out of the way. No, this has absolutely nothing to do with those god awful Nicholas Cage movies. In fact those movies might be a major reason why Marvel is introducing a new Ghost Rider (or even why they introduced the last new Ghost Rider). Also, this book is not titled Ghost Driver because you know no one would even glance at this book if it was titled Ghost Driver. So with that off my chest, now with the trade. [Read more…] about All New Ghost Rider Vol 1 Review! Engines of Vengence
Marvel Reviews
Amazing X-Men #12 Review! Just Misses Making The Arc Worth It
Now, we reach the end of Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost’s first arc on Amazing X-Men. Over the previous four issues, I have not been particularly impressed with this arc. It sets up some really cool things, but then seems to hold off on actually showing really cool scenes to build up suspense for the next issue. A very good example would be when Wolverine is turned into a Wendigo, but doesn’t actually do anything, and in fact the writers go out of their way to make sure he doesn’t. They continued this trend all the way to the final issue, putting a lot on this issue’s shoulders. So while my title might have given a way my opinions of this issue, let’s just ignore that and ask, does this issue make World War Wendigo worth it? [Read more…] about Amazing X-Men #12 Review! Just Misses Making The Arc Worth It
SHE-HULK #9 Review!: Marvel Presents Charles Soule’s ‘All-Law Comics’
Non-traditional superhero comics can be daunting. Not only for the creators but for the audience as well. While there are no set rules, the undertaking usually demands a completely different set of aesthetics than when dealing with more conventional tales of capes and cowls. Although often just as intense, the actual tone struck is typically worlds removed with action focusing more on character-driven drama rather than spectacle and bombast. For the writer, it means not being able to hide behind pictorially-intensive action scenes. For the reader, it normally means reading a lot of talking head word balloons. Despite boasting an ensemble including not only our resident jade giantess but former Captain America, Steve Rogers, Hellcat, and Daredevil as well, it’s into the latter category that the latest issue of She-Hulk squarely falls. However, it is also amid the rigorous chattiness that writer Charles Soule shines. [Read more…] about SHE-HULK #9 Review!: Marvel Presents Charles Soule’s ‘All-Law Comics’
AVENGERS & X-MEN: AXIS #3 Review! Good News For People Who Love Bad Guys
The opening act of Marvel’s latest event series, Avengers & X-Men: Axis, concludes this week. While to date the story has not been shy about pronouncing its “everything AND the kitchen sink” approach, it really ascends to a whole other level this issue. Functionally, it’s nothing short of a twenty-odd page affirmation to the classic Dr. Peter Venkman-ism espousing “cats and dogs living together… mass hysteria!”. The parallel to the Ghostbusters quote being that “Good News for Bad People” plays exceeding well as comedy delivered in the face of impending doom. Metaphoric feline/canine co-mingling and all. [Read more…] about AVENGERS & X-MEN: AXIS #3 Review! Good News For People Who Love Bad Guys
Cyclops #6 Review! Trouble Fitting In
So one day, Marvel decided to release a book about a young, time traveling Cyclops going into space with his space pirate father (who he thought was dead) to reconnect. I thought it was a rather goofy premise, and that it wouldn’t be for me, but I would still have appreciated the fact that Marvel was publishing it for varieties sake. Then I learned that it would be written by Greg Rucka. I bought the first issue the day it came out. For five issues, Greg Rucka took Cyclops and his father on a kind of space road trip so the two could have some personal time with one another. Things of course went bad for them, but they persevered, and overall Greg Rucka’s run was a very enjoyable and satisfying read. Now John Layman (of Chew fame) takes the rains. So, how does this first issue stack up to what’s come before?