Mary Louise Eklund

Category: Marvel

Tuesday Thoughts – Marvel Movies

The required US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique The required US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique

The required US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique The required US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique

The required US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique The required US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique

The required US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique The required US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique

The required US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique The required US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique

Since I gave up comic books for other things, like space in my home, I get my fix in comic book movies. I didn’t see Avengers 2, aka Ultron, in theaters because of all the moaning about how badly it dissed Hawkeye. I did see it in February on the cruise. Deadpool I was anxious to see but came out in a busy time in my life so saw it via DVD. This summer with little to do when camping in an apartment and waiting on a house to move into we went to movies regularly – saw Civil War and Apocalypse in a theater. Now I know those are two studios but for a comic book lover like me it’s one publisher Marvel. Thus I’ll give my short thoughts on each in one post about Marvel’s Movies. Warning SPOILERS ahead if you don’t want them for a particular movie skip to the next. I feel comfortable doing spoilers because it has been sometime since the movies were released and they were successes. Thus I feel those who care passionately about the story lines have already been exposed to the plots. (more…)

September 6, 2016
Movie Watching – The Wolverine

Yes, I’ve seen the movie. Yes I liked it very much. Yes, I thought it was better than his Origins movie though I never thought that was as bad as some made it out to be. For me the stinker was X-Men III. I regretted that this movie had to pull from that one but Logan’s pining for Jean Grey is legendary. So it’s an important character element. I still have issues of casting Famke Janssen in the role.

The movie takes a classic and beloved story line of Logan meeting one of the major loves of his life Mariko and tells it in the film universe. Sure some changes are made in the telling but the heart of the story is there, and the story is about the heart of a warrior falling in love with a quiet powerful woman and having that love returned. Some of the changes I like – I like Logan having to face his healing power being diminished. He deals with fatigue, blood loss, medical care, and stuff all of us would have to deal with being a hero. I also like that he gets it back in time to be what many come to see in a Wolverine movie – kick ass. I fear the comic’s attempt at copying this idea of losing healing will not be executed so well and will fall into the category of the 1992 nose-less feral Wolverine no one at Marvel ever acknowledges much to the relief of fans (may the whole Romulus crapfest, Native’s frozen wolverpups, and Agent of SHIELD all fall into this category).

I liked the movie and found it a stronger better story than his Origins one. It didn’t feel rushed nor that it was an attempt to shove in as many mutants as possible into one movie. The characters served purpose to build and move the story along. I think the action scenes were well done (but really for all fanboys goggling over the train scene I preferred the funeral one hands down for action). I did feel that the climatic scene between the Silver Samauri and Logan was a bit over the top for this movie’s style. I also wasn’t a fan of the Silver Samurai being a giant. That said I like how Logan recovered from the attack of the admantium cutting sword. That was awesome!

Viper was interesting but I missed her trademark green hair. (Also don’t forget she has a thing for Logan, even blackmails him into marrying her but even then he’d sleep with just about ANYONE but her). She had the right level of self-centeredness to make the character recognizable but would like more of a hint of her lust for Logan’s body in her reaction to seeing him shirtless & cleaned up.

Mariko was Logan’s first wife for a long time but then he got his memories back and remembered Itsu (Dakan’s mom). Now Mariko isn’t even considered his wife but instead one great love that took him years to get over losing. For those who don’t know she’s poisoned and dying, she begs him to kill her so she won’t have to suffer the agonizing death for which there is no cure. He does then revenges her death on those who killed her to get her conglomerate.

Yurkio being psychic about deaths only was a nice touch. I don’t consider this a mutate so much since it happens among normal people. It’s just a fun element to give a ninja woman. I like how her friendship developed with Logan. Eventually after Mariko’s death she’ll help Logan raise his foster daughter Amiko. Sure at times they are friends with benefits but when one or the other is in a relationship they support that. It’s a complicated friendship but one that isn’t overburdened with romance. I like how it started here and feel it’s got a good future on screen should it be developed.

Logan himself – what can I say but WOW! Jackman pulled out the stops in getting into Wolverine shape. He does the comic proud. Also the short hairstyle is awesome and more what I picture the up lifts being – side cowlicks that just curl up. I did enjoy his mountain man scenes and long for a bit more exploration of that since it was a frequent retreat in the comic books. I get that this movie wasn’t about that so in interest of moving the story along it was just enough. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy a bit more of the surly mountain man kicking the city slicker hunter’s ass in the dive bar. LOL!

Finally the kicker after the credits (Marvel is famous for that always stay in their movies to see them) was awesome! It’s a nod to Days of Future Past coming out in 2014. This is another classic comic tale for the whole team but in the movies it will blend the cast of First Class with the cast of X-Men I. I am hoping that it is along the lines of this movie and First Class in tone not the hyper frenzy of X-Men III or Origins where it was thought the more thrown in the better (psst I prefer Taylor Mane as Sabertooth sorry Liev ).

In the end I think The Wolverine is a rare comic book movie that doesn’t suffer from being over done. It doesn’t suffer from what I call Fanboy syndrome of constant battles. It takes time to have action and emotion. It does well to juxtaposition peaceful with traumatic imagery. I think that unlike some comic book movies this one is more accessible to those who don’t know the comic. The Romeo/Juliet or right/wrong side of the tracks romance between Logan and Mariko is something many people can understand. What makes this movie stronger than many of the ones before it in Wolverine’s story is that it has a core, a heart, and isn’t afraid to be quiet and serve that heart, much like best portrayals the Wolverine himself.

Until next time.

July 30, 2013
Comic Comments – I have No Idea What Is Going On

The title of this post says it all about these three issues – I don’t know what the heck is going on in the story. This crossover took place in Astonishing X-Men issues #59-61. This reflect the culmination scene from X-Factor at title I don’t follow. So before I attempt to explain my confusion and why I don’t care to put forth the effort to clear it up, let’s take care of technicalities.

Disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

These credits are very complicated please excuse them but if I don’t say the credit covers all three issues: Marjorie Liu, Writer – David Lapham, Marjorie Liu, & Greg Pak, Story Issues #60 &61 – Gabriel Hernadez Walta, Artist #59 – Matteo Buffogni & Renato Arlem, Artist #60 – Renato Arlem, Klebs deMoura, Matteo Buffagni, Raul Valdes, & Carlos Cuevas, Artists #61 – Chris Peter, Colorist #59 – Christopher Sotomayer & Lee Loughridge, Colorists #60 – Lee Loughride & Chris Sotomayer with Andres Mossa, Colorists #61 – VC’s Joe Caramagna, Letterer #59 & #60 – VC’s Joe Caramagna with Clayton Cowles, Letterer #61 – Phil Noto, Cover #59 & varient covers for #60 & #61 – Giuseppe Camuncoli with Cam Smith and Rain Beredo, Covers #60 & &61 – Jennifer M. Smith, Asst Editor – Jeannie Schaefer, Editor – Nick Lowe, Group Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief – Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

The whole concept of the title is a group of time-line jumping X-Men that keep the time-lines straight. Think Time Cop kinda thing but with mutants. I am aware of various incarnations of characters I try to ignore this but with Logan’s best friend Kurt Wagner (Nightcrawler) who died heroically has a doppleganger with a helpful red face tattoo to tell him from our priest Nightcrawler has been on the X-Force team (a title I followed). There’s some big shouting battle in issues #60 & 61 with a mismash of artists. I don’t know who is who since I don’t follow that title and don’t care to follow it. Then after all this of deaths of some their characters in my book it is continued out of my title somewhere else. So essentially I paid for a two issue ad for another title.

Also in issue #59 the concept of the US deporting Northstar. If you don’t know the character he’s an X-Man that’s Canadian and gay. He’s the one that got married in Astonishing X-Men #51 but the fact that he married an American doesn’t help since at that time gay marriage wasn’t federally recognized. That’s changed recently but any way, it doesn’t matter since that plot line just falls to the side and gets lost in the big advertisement for X-Force.

As for the art – I’m not a huge fan of Walta but find him serviceable. However for issues #60 & #61 it’s a mess of styles that just shocks the eye. It’s not fair to give a read on any of the artists because it’s such a mess.

Moving on to the covers – I like #59 and the variants for the other two issues because I enjoy Noto’s art. As for the non variant covers – #60 is passable but looks like a bad photoshop of various artists’s interpretation of characters pasted together. #61’s cover looks like art from the County Fair’s middle school exhibit – sure they have potential but it’s too blocky, no life in it just overly studied with tight interpretation and over-consciousness on technique. I don’t even know whose work that is given the long list of credits. What possibly happened is too many were involved that no one put their style to it thus no life was ever breathed into the work.

Overall these three issues were worthless to me. I don’t need another X title and am contemplating dropping this title completely if the current Iceman centric arc isn’t awesome (or at least good and makes sense) then I shall drop it.

After the jump are a few panels I enjoyed just for themselves.

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July 23, 2013
Comic Comments – A Wolverine Arc That Is Dead To ME!

There are some arcs in the Wolverine solo title universe that just don’t exist in my Earth -616ML version. One is the Enemy of the State (Wolverine Vol 3 #20-25)/Agent of SHIELD (Wolverine Vol 3 #26-31 arc which I lovingly refer to as Mindless Enemy/Agent of YAWN because the whole mind controlled Wolvie crap had me bored to tears yet again. Another was the Return of the Native arc (Wolverine Vol. 3 #12-18 ) which still has what I refer to as frozen-Wolverpups still out there somewhere. Lame, lame, lame to do yet another rewrite of Weapon X. Oh and finally the whole Lupine, Romulus crapola fest (Evolution arc Wolverine Vol 3 #50-55) – not human but descended from dogs. Yeah way to negate the whole mutant thing of that universe. I dropped the series for a few years after those horrid messes of story lines. So when it comes to those arcs I stick my fingers in my ears sing LA-LA-LA-LA and ignore it all. BUT the ghost of the Evolution arc is baaaack to haunt me. Yes this arc entitled Sabertooth Reborn (Wolverine Vol 4 #310-313) is based on the whole Evolution arc from the Romulus crapola fest. Totally ignoring that we know Sabes is back from the Then There Was A War/Back In Japan arc of this Vol 4 that preceded this one. Not to mention Logan showing up at Sabes b-day party in One More Round. So I started off really annoyed that in the same volume that couldn’t keep their conitunality straight for five issues! Stay tuned and I’ll really tell you what I think about it!

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May 15, 2013
Comic Comments – Awaken

This was a short arc of just two issues Astonishing X-Men # 57 & 58. The story focuses on Warbird as the new member of the Astonishing X-Men. If you remember back in Wolverine and the X-Men # 13 (which was as aptly named as the Holy Roman Empire) she was left here on Earth by her people. Now she’s trying to cope and find her place. We also know she has an artistic soul which is not just frowned upon but destroyed by her culture. So what happens to an alien that’s artistic when its no longer forbidden. What does it take to let go of your home world and embrace the new one? Maybe meeting a dying race?

Let’s switch it up a bit and do the legalese first. Eh? Living on the edge here aren’t I? So here goes – All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

Now to give credit where credit is due. Marjorie Liu, Writer – Gabriel Hernandez Walta & Felix Ruiz, Artists Issue 57 – Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Artist Issue 58 – Cris Peter w/ Dan Brown, Color Artists – VC’s Joe Caramanga, Letterer – Phil Noto, Covers – Jennifer M. Smith, Assistant Editor – Jeanine Schaefer, Editor – Nick Lowe, Group Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor In Chief – Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

If you know my comic book preferences you know I HATE absolutely HATE aliens, magic, time travel in my X-Men. No I think there’s enough to explore about humans/mutants without getting into that. It’s not that I don’t like sci-fi and fantasy in comic books. I do but just not here, kinda like just because I like peanut butter and ribeye doesn’t meant I want to slather my ribeye with peanut butter. Any way the way I get around it is create my own little personal Earth-616-ML (for those who aren’t comic geeks the main Marvel universe is called Earth-616) universe where I sing LA-LA-LA in my head and make all aliens just more mutants.

Given that I took this to be a story about a mutant from a family that discourages artistic endeavors. She meets up with another mutant that is dying but awakens such things in others. Well, that given they fight because that’s what comic book heroes do when they are made to feel uncomfortable. He dies leaving money for an interactive museum dedicated to awakening the artistic endeavors of everyone. As a result she embraces that part of her nature and becomes a whole person. That’s the Earth-616-ML verison. In the real one – he’s the survivor of genocide by her people against his and the story progresses from there.

What I liked about the story is how the team worked together. Yes they were concerned about her but they didn’t charge in and fight this battle for her nor did they lecture her to be something she was uncomfortable with. Also they didn’t fall into the trope of fighting her because she’s gone rogue. Instead they gave her room to work it out while doing their best to protect her and the survivor. THAT is what true teammates do.

I also enjoyed getting glimpses into the life of other X-Men during the holidays. (Yes I’m that far behind on Comic Comments that this arc started at Christmas time!). We see the newlywed couple dealing with what will be the subject of the next arc – illegal Canadians! Gambit reveals what he’s done on his holiday break. He’s such a flirt with all the ladies watch out Dr. Reyes. Karma has Warbird join her family for the holiday dinner. Seems they are coping well with the events of the previous arc. I always enjoy the glimpses of heroes being people.

As for the art I can’t say I enjoyed it – I found it good but not great. The morgue scene in Issue 57 was better but it’s Ruiz’s work where most of the arc is Walta. I don’t dislike Walta’s effort here some panels I found myself enjoying but many others irked me by being either too boxy in the depiction of characters or too cartoony with expressions. It’s a fine line to get an action comic right – not too much in any direction. I know I’m picky. Yet I know what I like, what I find irksome, and what I dislike. Walta is good and I felt it ranged from serviceable to great. Then again that’s my taste. Who am I to criticize when I can’t draw a lick?

Overall I put this down as one of the better arc that highlights a team member. I liked the pacing and story even if the alien thing reared it’s ugly head I just ignored that bit. I like how the team worked together to deal with yet another member’s personal issues (last one was Karma’s family yeah her sister made my Wolvie into a BOMB!) and next one is focusing on Northstar’s immigration issues. Gosh knows we need to get those illegal superpowered Canadians deported! Wait, no – my Wolvie!

Here’s the spacing to warn those who are further behind in their comic reading than me of possible SPOILERS BELOW.

Yep down here are interior scans that may reveal too much for the SPOILER phobic.

If you feel that might be yo don’t keep scrolling down.

Really I can’t be responsible if you get spoiled. I posted warnings and ample space…

here goes…

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May 1, 2013
Comic Comments – AvX Conclusion

So I’m getting back in the blogging saddle with comics. They are comforting and I have a box to review. Before we get on with that I want to thank you for all the support from friends during our family’s losses. Of course after such an emotional blow our immune systems were low and we battled the cold from hell. Never bad enough to toss in the towel and go to bed but bad enough that life was work and sleep until we healed. We are well now, Spring is attempting to spring and life is blooming again.

Now to the comic – a limited series to wrap up the Avengers vs X-Men shenanigans or as I liked to call it AvX Interruptus because many good titles were interrupted in their strong story lines to tell this weak story that was an excuse to undo M-Day. Honestly this was a weakly veiled Marvel marketing ploy to sell more comics trying to get people to buy comics across titles. Unfortunately the title samples they are buying weren’t as strong as the story that was interrupted by the ploy. Don’t get me wrong I like a well done cross title story (see House of M and M-Day, Don’t see Civil War or World War Hulk) but forcing one at least once a year not to expand the universe but to push sales is lame and gives you at best something like Civil War that started out strong and ended weakly or just stupid.

I wasn’t going to get this title due to my avoiding of the whole cross over except when it intruded into my normally subscribed titles. Yet I saw a few sample scans of the scenes between Logan and Scott and wanted see how they played out. I do like how they officially switch roles. Yes it had happened with Schism but this solidifies it with Scott truly a criminal and Logan the experienced headmaster proving to be Xavier’s real disciple.

Now for the credits: Kieron Gillen, Script – Tom Raney, Art Issue 1 – Steve Kurth, Pencils Issue 2 – Scot Eaton, Pencils Issue 3 – Mark Books, Pencils Issue 4 – Gabriel Hernandex Walta, Art Issue 5 – Jim Charalampiois, Colors – Allen Martinez, Inks Issue 2 – Andrew Hennessy, Inks Issue 3 – Mark Brooks & Andrew Hennessy, Inks Issue 4 – VC’s Clayton Cowles, Letters – Patrick Zircher & Dommo Sanchez Aymara, Cover Art Issue 1 – Paolo Rivera, Varient Cover Issue 1 – Ron Garney & Jason Keith, Cover Art Issue 2 & 3- Shane Davis, Danny Miki, & Morry Hollowell, Variant Cover Issue 2- Adi Granov, Variant Cover Issue 3-5 – Salvador Larroca & David Curiel, Cover Art Issue 4 & 5 – Jordan D. White, Assistant Editor – Nick Lowe, Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief – Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

The ever present US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

WOW! Look at the artists that contributed to this 5 issue run. Lots of them and honestly I don’t have a complaint about any. They all have their own quirks and styles but I like them. They aren’t overly stylistic so that it becomes painful (yes I’m thinking of the first few issues of Wolverine and the X-Men, OUCH) nor are they too cartoony. All these artists hit that balance I look for in a comic, realism with just a toe over the line to make it fantasy (trust me boobs don’t do that on their own). So reading this I didn’t cringe and cling to the script for the story nor did I stop astounded at the artistic beauty. The art completed the tale, added dimension, and made it a full experience. I have my personal favorite Tom Raney and personal least favorite Gabriel Hernadez Walta. But still I enjoyed them all. Cudos all the way around!

Now the story – or stories I should say. It’s a follow up on the Phoenix 5 focusing mainly on Scott in jail. We get glimpses of other aftermath but the central thread is Scott Summers. We see Tony Stark dealing with the illogic of the Phoenix. Hope Summers try to be a typical girl who goes out to hunt for her partly cyber foster father from the future. Kitty Pryde and Emma Frost exchange zingers at each other. We learn what the fugitives Namor, Magneto, and Magik are up to. Also get the low down on Agent Brant and Hank McCoy’s relationship status. We see Colossus dealing with part in the whole thing, poor woobie. Oh and Danger the AI droid from the previous declared “totally separate” Ultimate universe is here throwing in with the fugitives. (I hate hate hate that Ultimate has crossed into 616 cannon really enjoyed the separate takes for separate generations of fans). Storm takes her place at the Jean Grey School and Logan chats with Capt America. (does Steve Rogers ever get out of costume? I think he wears it like Bobby Drake runs around iced up in every day life)

Since I’m a Wolverine fan you’ll know I’ll spend the most time there. I liked the dynamic between Logan and Scott. It was interesting to see reluctant partners with totally different approaches in life, personal life differences, still go after agreed upon goals for the common good. But as they matured and one lusted after the other’s wife you knew it wasn’t going to work long term. As a Logan gal I can see how Xavier’s dream appealed to the man who had high goals and morals but always fell short of them. Honestly you take in the whole of Logan’s path and Xavier gave him a way to mature as a man into the son of John Howlett not the biological pup of Thomas Logan. When you get down to it that’s Logan’s story nature vs nuture. He chose to be more than his genes. Xavier helped him see how to do that. While Scott always lived the good boy dream raised to be a superhero, and was the expected heir. I’d say he rebelled when he dumped Jean for Emma. That he was always prone to rebel to the dark side as part of his growing. So no surprise he’s now thrown in with Xavier’s arch nemesis Magneto. I can see the progress of the two down these paths. I could also see how it could have gone the other way with Scott never rebelling and Logan becoming say a Nick Fury like black ops go to guy for mutant issues. But then neither gets much character growth from that scenario. I always contended once Logan got back his memories and processed them he’d have to be more mature than any of the other X-Men because you can’t have over a century of life experience and not become more than what those with less than half a century are. So it makes sense that out of the two Logan would be the most mature adult about dealing with things.

It’s not that Logan doesn’t deal with the feelings. He admits to Capt America that his emotion is to deal with Scott by killing him but he learned from Xavier what he should do and that’s why he gave Xavier’s eulogy. He can be what Scott called in issue 5 “the better man” but it’s a struggle. That’s why I like Logan he’s honest about his internal struggle between wanting to just go with base reaction rather than reason. Yet he has matured enough to know when that’s called for and when it’s time to grow up and do what you should instead of what you want. Which is what leads to the Issue 2 and the conclusion note to Logan from Scott in Issue 5. It’s previews of those two scenes (you’ll see a my preview choices from them below) that drew me to purchase the arc. Both characters make choices that if they hold as long as Jean’s death, Logan having his memories back, and a few other things have these developments will change the characters significantly. I also like it because it follows what has been my impression of the characters for years. It also nicely mirrors the Xavier/Magneto split of the generation before, former teammates now arch enemies. I wonder who will be the two for the next generation- will Quire follow in Xavier/Logan footsteps or Magneto/Scott? Who will be his balance Evan? or have we not yet met the two future leaders?

That leads me to say to be an all around trying to gather up loose ends and point to the new directions and arcs of multiple titles the writing in this is good. Gillen succeeds in his labor intensive task of staging the relaunch/launch of many titles under the Marvel NOW! banner. Not only does he achieve his corporate directive but he writes some great scenes that redefine characters as well as give them the starting point for new growth down divergent paths. As a writer who knows the difficulty of fusing your contractual assignment with the art of writing I give him praise for taking what could just be a through the paces move characters about to get them where they need to be for the title launches into a true story that can be used a defining moments for the storylines to come.

Over all if you are into the Marvel universe and want to keep abreast of what changes were wrought by the AvX Interruptus these 5 issues are for you. They are not the jumping in point for those who aren’t familiar with the characters. It for those of us who know the characters and want to get insight into where they are now.

Next up from the Review Box – Astonishing X-Men Issue 57-58 a mini arc that centers on Warbird.

Below here there maybe SPOILERS in scans

You have been warned

Don’t want to see then stop scrolling

Really this is your last SPOILER ALERT. (more…)

April 29, 2013
Two Wolvies To Call My Own

I have to run to work – working late tonight. Yet I wanted to share what came in the mail yesterday! Original art work especially for me by Vanessa Catnose! We chat occasionally on over on G+ and she graciously offered to do original sketches for me of Wolverine! Then she mailed them to me. They are going to be custom framed and will hang in my office!

Here he his at work doing what he does best!

Then in his down time making dinner, I have to say this is my favorite. Just watch out for ashes in the fruit salad.

Thanks Van! Until next time!

March 7, 2013
Comic Comments – AvX Concludes

I’m grouping Issue 18 & 19 of Wolverine and the X-Men together for two major reasons 1) I’m very behind on my Comic Comments and 2) both deal with post AvXinterruptus. I’ll give the writers credit this time they did say school focused no roaming off with the Jr. Hellfire Club (though they make an appearance), no roaming off with one student or faculty member (though various ones move in and out of the spotlight). Humor is used well in Issue 19 to ease the serious losses in 18. In these two issues I’d say Marvel has shown it can master the ensemble cast – have them going different directions, cover them and not tell a disjointed story! CUDOS! Yes when one story gets hot focus will have to draw only onto that story & characters with a few ‘meanwhile back at the ranch…’ panels. I enjoyed both issues and think this is how I wanted to see AvX in this title – from the school’s point of view.

The ever present US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

Issue 18 entitled Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow credits – Jason Aaron, writer – Jorge Molina, Penciler – Norman Lee, Inker – Morry Hollowell & Rachel Rosenberg, Colorists – Chris Eliopoulos, Letterer – Ed McGuinness & Morry Hollowell, Cover Artists – Jordan D. White, Assistant Editor – Daniel Ketchum, Associate Editor – Nick Lowe, Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor In Chief – Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

Issue 19 entitled More Pencils, More Books, More Teachers’ Dirty Looks credits – Jason Aaron, Writer – Nick Bradshaw, Penciler – Walden Wong, Inker – Laura Martin, Colorist – Chris Eliopoulos, Letterer – Nick Bradhaw & Gurur EFX, Cover Artists – Jordan D. White, Assistant Editor – Daniel Ketchum, Associate Editor – Nick Lowe, Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor In Chief, Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

AvX has been over enough I don’t feel it is a spoiler to say – Phoenix is destroyed erasing M-Day (so why did we go through that just to undo all of it!) and making many new mutants. Charles Xavier is dead (AGAIN! I think this is about the 10th death maybe the 9th still lags behind Jean Grey’s 14 – 20 deaths). Oh and Scott Summer killed Xavier this time and is in jail for it (at least for now).

Issue 18 shows how the school views all these big universe. While this is going on Idie, Quentin, and Broo all have their own important events happen. Staff wise Husk is feeling the strain of her powers fracturing and being a teacher. We see more of her relationship with Toad as she makes a big life change.

Issue 19 deals with the aftermath – Broo’s injured and Henry is doing all he can to save the boy. Kitty is stressed with Husk gone and more mutants popping up and enrolling daily she needs to expand the staff. Logan is out to find Broo’s attacker. We also see the next arc setting up with Frankenstein’s Circus rolling into town…

I love how the financial issues of the school were solved with Warren gaining control of his company and Xavier leaving his estate. Yet I’d enjoy it more if a constant stressor on Logan was paying the bills. I think that would relate to the real world’s economy and give interesting story lines for the school. Can you imagine a bake sale in town with the Jean Grey Students? Or in his solo title Logan taking various jobs for pay to support his school? Oh the comic interludes, moral questions, serious situations, and interesting issues that could be raised and dealt with – but no money is no longer a worry. Phooey heck even Krakota could make diamonds if need be… pfft too easy.

The handling of the title as an ensemble TV show is improving. Think of any show you followed that had an ensemble cast – there’s the lead characters (here Logan, Quentin, Bobby, Kitty, Hank) and the major characters (Idie, Broo, Husk, Toad) and the supporting regulars (Chamber, Gambit, Doop, Glob…) Rarely do you have a show (or issue in this case) where the lead character’s story isn’t addressed or moved forward. Next if the lead characters are in the valley between stories you catch us up then shine the light on the major characters to move their story forward more significantly. Finally the regulars take stage if there is time if not they support the other story lines. Think of Hillstreet Blues one of the best written longest running ensemble shows – that’s how it’s done. I applaud these issues for mastering it so well! We get the conclusion of the major multi-title event but not without losing the title’s focus of the school. We see the issues faced after the event but again through the school’s perspective. Yet while doing this we’re developing the major character story lines since the lead characters are winding up their major story arc. Cudos!

I can’t not mention my ache for Broo and hope that they do bring him back. I think he’s a good student for Henry to mentor for many reasons. They are so similar. Besides I love Broo and don’t want to lose him. Next I have to mention Kitty’s interviewing of various Marvel characters for position as teacher at Jean Grey… hilarious and the one REAL teacher’s reactions OMG! I got a case of the giggles. Great comic relief and excellent way to intro the new lead character!

Finally – the budding student romance has been hinted at in the flashes into the future finally gets a small start here. I enjoy seeing Quentin’s insecurities at the first school dance. For all his bluster and talent he’s still just a scared kid inside. So good, so good… I see Quentin and Idie being that generations Jean & Scott with Broo being that generation’s Logan carrying a torch for Idie. The more things change the more they stay the same.

As for the art – OMG they got it right! After such a hideous start to this title with tiny footed Kitty and gotta poop tie Logan with such confusing panels that the story was overwhelmed Marvel has found its footing with solid art that has style but supports the story! I actually recognize the characters. Their proportions don’t throw me out thinking they look like toddler toys with the oversized feet for easy play. Here they have comic features when needed – see the cover of 18 for the students looking almost Archie-like to Scott being rendered dramatically with hyper-realism. I think that juxtaposition sums up the story of the school trying to put on the happy face of normalcy with a dance as the final battle rages. Then the cover of 19 returns to the ensemble cover we’ve seen in other issues.

I give credit to Marvel for having rescued this title from the roller coaster of good school centric issues to WTF where’s the school issues! They pulled it together for these two issues and the following arc. **STANDING OVATION** This is why I get this title!

You know what is next…. interior scans

These might be spoilery for some…

So if you are worried…

Stop scrolling right NOW

If not then here’s the first page…

Here we see Xavier extort the promise from Logan to protect the next generation. While that is going on we see the dynamic of the next generation start to take shape. I thought the set up here was very effective

Okay this amused me on many levels – first the Bamfs at the buffet of the dance! So cute I can’t wait until we get the issue or arc that explains how they aren’t grimlins. Next I used my trusty Doop Translator I determined he says “You know my wounds have healed from last time.” I still can’t wrap my head around those two being friend with benefits. I think I really don’t want to go there.

Deadpool you crack me up! Oh Spidy I think it’s worthy of getting a picture of him actually doing it for his English Lit class. Good summary of how Kitty’s interview process is going be sure to check out the real teacher in the issue!

Remember Broo helped Tony solve the Phoenix problem and became a friend of Tony Stark’s. I find it touching Henry consults the brains of Marvel Universe in an attempt to help Broo.

I don’t know if it’s good that the headmaster dons stripper spandex and goes about sniffing floors in town… I know it is for a good cause but really if you are trying to build good relations with the community does this work? I won’t go on my rant against the return of the blue and yellow spandex uniform. Honestly I liked the black one best be it the turtleneck with shoulder holster, leathers with a shirt please, or my fav the western look with cowboy hat.

Any way that’s it until next time!

March 5, 2013
Comic Comments – Mutant School Football League

So the Jean Grey School of Higher Learning isn’t the only school for mutant kids. There’s the Avenger Academy where kids are taught to be superheroes. With just two mutant high schools you know they have to have like dances and sport competitions – Right?!? That’s what this issue is about, post AvXinterruptus a flag football game between the two schools. THEN Avenger Academy was cancelled and they all graduated I guess, I dunno don’t follow it. Just picked up this issue to see the Jean Grey School part.

The ever present US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

Okay here’s the team for the issue: Christos Gage, Writer – Tom Grummett, Penciler – Cory Hamscher & Rick Ketcham, Inkers – Chris Sotomayor, Colorist – Giuseppe Camucoli & Jim Charalampidis, Cover – VC’s Joe Caragna, Letterer – Jon Moisan, Assistant Editor – Bill Rosemann, Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor In Chief – Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

This issue is a fun break and gives a glimpse of the staffs and students blowing off steam post AvX. At first the staff is permitted in the game but slowly they are disqualified, Iceman and Hawkeye are the first to go for excessive awesomeness. Then there’s fights, Logan tackles instead of grabs a flag – oops. Then again there is cold beer on the sidelines for the disqualified. Finally it’s figured out that Logan and Kitty were working to disqualify the adults so the kids could form two teams mixed from both schools and play. Logan denies being that smart but Giant Ant acknowledges that yes, Logan is that smart. The kids make new friends and see that they aren’t the only ones with mutant teen problems and a strange school staff.

That’s it… that’s all the fun to be had is in the light interaction between the two groups. Oh and now that I have the Doop Speak Translator I can at least get the gist of what he is saying. Bull by the horns! LOL that Doop!

The art in this is wonderful. I love how it suits the story and comics in general. There’s detail the people are pretty even if they are blobs or rocks or whatever. The only issue I have is the cover thing I usually have – X-23 is NOT the ref she plays for her school. Kitty Pryde is the ref and the only adult who has sense enough not to wear a superhero costume to a high school flag football game! Also look at the cover – what the heck is wrong with X-23’s face why is it a series of black lines? Okay I know I know covers are to pull you in but pull me in with something in the story further illustrated not made up crap.

Any way here’s a few scans of the issue to share the lighthearted fun.

Warning these maybe spoilery to some

If you are still scrolling I assume you don’t mind that.

Really don’t blame me if you feel spoiled.

I warned you…

If Hawkeye and Iceman were allowed to play there’d be no game. Awesome indeed. Oh and Movie Hawkeye needs a quiver like that…

TMI Santo, really TMI about the no junk stuff. But reminds me of the saying “I was depressed that I had no shoes until I met a man with no feet.” Let’s just leave it at that and move on shall we?

I think Wolvie can consider this mission accomplished – the schools are friends the kids are friends and the staff are friendly… Doesn’t matter if they are dysfunctional, they work.

Until next time.

February 19, 2013
Comic Comments – Gambit Tries Solo Title Again

I’m not sure what volume of Gambit stand alone title this is but it’s the latest one. I think it’s volume 5 according to Marvel. It’s nice to see him in his own title again. So it’s good to see Remy in the spot light. If you like magic that’s here in heaping quantities too.
What is sad is that he always seems to be treated like the ‘red headed step child’ as my grandmother put it. I think the call goes out for mediocrity when there’s a Gambit launch. No, don’t bring your A game a strong C or B- at the highest will do.

The ever present US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

Acknowledgement of the village that got this story to press. James Asmus, Writer – Clay Mann, Penciler Issues 1 & 2 with Clay Kirk on issues 3 &4 – Seth Mann, Inker Issues 1 &2 with Clay Kirk on issues 3 &4 – Rachelle Rosenberg, Colorist – VC’S Coery Petit, Letterer – Mann, Mann Rosenburg – Cover to issue 1 – Mann & Rosenberg, Covers 2-4, Chris Bachalo, Variant Cover Issue 1 – Dan Ketchum, Editor, Idette Winecoor, Production Issue 2 – Jennifer M. Smith, Assistant Editor Issues 2-4 – Nick Lowe, X-Men Group Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor In Chief – Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer – Special thanks Issue 1 to Irene Y. Lee and Manny Mederos.

The story is that Remy hasn’t had enough excitement in his life as a Professor. Apparently the whole Phoenix AvX thing bored him as much as it did me. We he gets an invitation to a fundraiser at Borya Cich’s house he’s in to rob it for some good old time excitement. Borya Cich is one that bankrolls the uber bad guys. When the baddies are defeated Cich gets the gadgets or magical goodies they were using. Remy’s cover is to be there to get money for the Jean Grey school, his entertainment will be to break in and see what goodies Mr. Cich has accumulated. In the process of this he finds out he’s rusty and meets a mystery woman. They team up (stop me if you’ve heard this before) but she betrays him only to help him in the end. Oh and magic gets way out of hand and Cich loses his goodies and blames Remy (not the mystery woman for some convenient reason).

Now don’t get me wrong there’s nothing wrong with a familiar story frame. There school of thought is that there are only so many story frames out there (7 to 21 seem to be the consensus) when you boil things down to their essence. So the trick is being original in how you decorate that frame. I’m sure you can name many stories where two sides team up to get a goal that sticks it to a third party. That’s the frame here but the story seem a bit too trite, too often told in the thief/spy genre. Remy deserves better. He’s a strong diverse character with a lot of emotional depth but often is short changed into the joking flirty characterization of himself. That’s what happened here. The dialogue is weak stung out over many frames. The cliches keep coming and I ache to see more.

Then there’s the whole aliens and magic crap I don’t like. I know it’s a personal thing for me so I’ll do my best to overlook it. I try hard to just shrug and go that’s for someone else. But when it is used to justify weak writing I call foul. Write yourself into a corner then edit and rewrite the story don’t rely on magic, infinity cubes, Lazarus pits, or it was just a dream to get you out of it. That’s a cop out of a writer’s lack of ability. Here I felt so many opportunities to be a better writer and tell a more complex story were tossed aside thinking “oh this is a Gambit title it won’t last long any way.” Sadly it is such thoughts that I think feed that trend.

As for the art. It relies heavily on the colorist for textures and depths. The colorist goes for the glow Photoshop tones a bit much for my tastes. After having just left Think Thank where the details are drawn in this style struck me as wholly unfinished and rushed. Even more so as the title when on, with greater sweeps to the colorist filling in the lack of penciller’s detail. The covers struck me as a nod to the Bond openings where the women are frames for the images but again the concept seemed solid (much like the start of the written story) but then seemed rushed and unfinished.

In the end it all goes back to the mediocrity I mentioned in my introduction. I felt like the writer, penciller, and colorist wanted to bring their A game but couldn’t for what ever reason be it rushed or told don’t worry just get something out it’s not going to last or be promoted. I don’t know but I saw so much potential there that was left undeveloped. If you are a Gambit fan like me, this is still a must. It’s good to see him out there on his own and I support that in hopes that some day the team can bring their A game to it. If you aren’t into him and aren’t looking to pad your pull list to get something (freebies like shipping). Then as much as it pains me and saddens my Remy lovin’ heart I’d say pass this by and hope next volume gets better treatment.

**** Interior scans*** You have been warned that such scans might be considered spoilery***

Okay here the inane party chatter grated on me like a cheese grater on my bare bum. The Paris Hilton stupid shallow rich people wanting to hang out with gods, magicians, mutants, and aliens just hit all the notes of what I don’t like in my X-Men. Yeah I know others do and that’s for them, enjoy knowing it made me cringe.

Oh Remy we oldsters always wonder just when did computers take over every thing?!? Loved this scene it’s our Gambit doing what he does best and he’s pretty while doing it!

Okay here we meet the mystery woman he teams up with. She’s dumped him once and now before their team-up continues Remy evens the score. Good thing mutants don’t injure as easily as we real people eh?

As you can see she’s a tattooed Laura Croft type. I personally nominate this pose for the Hawkeye Initiative. Caw Caw boyz!

As you can see it really jumped my no magic/gods/aliens in my X-Men shark by a mile. So there you go and I hope the next arc get down to more thievery heist type stuff and less magic stuff.

February 11, 2013