Mary Louise Eklund

Category: Wolverine and The X-Men

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 – Back On The WXM Rollercoaster

If you are keeping track you know I didn’t like the last issue of Wolverine and the X-Men because it was like the Holy Roman Empire (which was neither holy nor Roman nor an Empire). However I loved the issue before that. Well we are back up again. I thoroughly enjoyed this issue. Though it seems just dropped in the middle of things. It’s not got an AvX Interruptus connection like the last few issues or the one that follows. I think they just had a finished issue and stuck it in here for some reason only the Marvel Star Chamber comprehends. However, thank goodness they did. I needed it- a silliness break. This issue is why Doop is the receptionist at the school when very few understand what he says.

Credit where credit is due – Jason Aaron, Writer – Michale Allred, Artist – Laura Allred, Colorist – VC’s Clayton Cowles, Letterer – Michael & Laura Allred, 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.

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 this stand alone issue is just fun. The summary of story to this point says it all for how to take this issue “Lots of things happened, but don’t worry your pretty little head about it. ENJOY!” Yep that sums up the who why Doop is on the staff of JGS.

Despite Logan saying in the Just Another Day in Westchester that he didn’t want any secrets from his staff. Well, he’s got one – why he hired Doop. They are asked to just trust him on it. As Doop doesn’t seem to do any thing – get in their way or cause trouble – the staff accepts this. We see the real reason and just the lengths Logan had to go to to get the little green guy behind the reception desk.

Just so you know, I still hold fast to my rule no aliens in my X-Men. I stick my fingers in my ears and go la-la-la-la-la then Doop becomes just another mutant. True he’s an odd mutant that speaks his own Doop language that few understand. BUT in my book just like Warbird and Kid Gladiator – he’s another mutant. We see Doop is a man about town and does get around the Marvel Universe more than any one else. Then again it’s kinda what he was hired to do… sorta.

The story is light, it’s fun, and it makes me laugh. That’s good on occasion given the heavy results of AvX that will be hitting the school. It is school centric and involves staff of the school. So I’ve got all I need when it comes to story.

The art is fun and fits the issue. It’s cartoony but that suits the silliness of the issue. I don’t know why Logan’s hair is purple black instead of the traditional blue-black but I consider it’s one of Doop’s employment conditions and move on. Over all I found enjoyable and supporting the story at hand. Which is what comic art is supposed to do!

*** More Scans this time That Could Be Spoilery***YOU ARE WARNED********

When Logan goes to hire Doop, Doop refuses to take the job. Logan swears he’s not leaving until Doop agrees. This leads to funny pages where Doop is trying to get Logan to leave by sitting up silly job conditions. This page is the start of that.

Just two questions come to mind from this scene – first off what are my dear Bamfs doing? Second why did the whole senior staff sit on the same side of the table. Did they think they were having dinner while being in a sit-com?

Sometimes you just don’t want to know Logan, really you don’t.

Okay I’m not sure which couple is stranger – Husk and Toad or Doop and Warbird – Xavier warned Logan before the school officially opened about fraternizing among the staff. Also just who do you think Logan was with in the old Danger Room? hmmm? been referenced in several issues that he was with an X-Woman in the danger room… bet it was Ororo.

Until next peeps.

December 7, 2012
Comic Comments – An Issue I Don’t Care About

From loving last issue to hating this one. For all the reasons I praised the last I’ll criticize this one. It has nothing, nothing at all to do with the Jean Greay School for Higher Learning. It’s all about the stupid concept of 11 years olds being the HellFire Club. Nope don’t like it at all don’t care about how they came to be, don’t even want to acknowledge they exist if I can help it. Then to top off the totally irrelevant story line is the very style of art I don’t like. I think you get the gist of how this is going to go after the legal stuff and credits are out of the way.

Next we need to get the legal statement out of the way – 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.

The credits are as follows. Jason Aaron, Writer – Chris Bachalo, Penciler and Colorist – Tim Townsend, Jaime Mendoza & Al Vey, Inkers – Chris Eliopoulos, Letterer, Chris Bachalo & Tim Townsend, Cover – Jordan D. White, Assistant Editor – Daniel Ketchum, Associate Editor – Nick Lowe, Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief – Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckely, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

Okay you get that my first issue with this The Fires of hell A-Glowing story is it has NOTHING to do with the reason for the title – the school. That’s pretty simple really.

Next I have issues with a Hell-Fire Club that is made up of children no matter how precocious they are in killing or anything else. First off the real Hell-Fire Club isn’t for children at all. It did lead to the Phoenix Society all tied into the inspiration for the original use of these names in the Marvel story that spawned all the knock-offs and repeats we have gotten over the years in the Marvel titles. The Hell-Fire Club NYC was NSFW (not safe for work) and into BSDM. That’s why in the Marvel comics back in the day you saw the women in corsets with whips. So 11 year olds taking ove the club – don’t buy it for a second.

Next I don’t really care about any of these characters, where they are or what they have been through. I don’t care about how they got to be the club or how Kade became the leader. If they enroll in JGS as real student I’ll be somewhat interested. Until that day go away kids you annoy me.

As of the art, I do not like Bachalo’s style at all. However either I’m developing a tolerance factor of he’s toning down his extremes. He still likes pointy feet as much as Liefield likes tiny feet and pouches on belts. Bachalo has a tendancy to make the angle from the ground or low looking up. I don’t know if he’s Danny Devito short or what. As a photographer I know this is an unflattering angle to anyone. It broadens the facial features and stress the chin which isn’t a favorable facial feature. Might explain Bacchalo’s penchant for extreme chins and mouths though. I just don’t like it. I guess that’s why I’m relieved when any other artist takes an issue in the title. Except Liefield please no not Liefield… he might be a great guy (as Bachalo might be) but neither is to my taste in comic book art.

So I went from cudos to why did they waste an issue on that?!? Wonder what the next issue will bring. Well best to go up from the bottoming out don’t you think?

***SPOILER INTERIOR SCAN***WARNING***POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO CARE*****************************************************************

No he didn’t sent him to Logan’s school. You know if Scott had killed this stupid kiddie Hellfire Club it’s almost made AvX Interruptus worth it for me. Just to get rid of this annoying group.

Like I said I didn’t like it. Said that in enough ways to put the issue in the file box and never read it again. Time to move on, Until next time…

December 5, 2012
Comic Comments – This Why I Go To JGS

THIS is why I read this title! I know, I know it’s a tie-in to the AvX Interruptus that I hate so but it is completely school centered. The story is set in the school, centered on staff and students, develops a larger story and is what I want when I pick up this comic. It is a stand alone issue entitle “On The Eve Of Battle”.

First cudos to the team on this issue: Jason Aaron, Writer – Jorge Molina Penciler, Norman Lee, Inker – Morry Hollowell, Colorist – Chirs Eliopoulos, Letterer – Stuart Immonen & Marte Gracia, 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.

Next we need to get the legal statement out of the way – 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.

As I said I’m very happy with this issue. It’s school centric which was the whole purpose of this line of comics to tell the story of Logan’s founding the Jean Grey School for High Learning. Here the X-Men that aren’t Pheonix possessed or backing those that are, have gathered at the school. Xavier is there. We deal with staff and student issues. New students from Utopia have enrolled and Headmaster Logan is as to the point as ever announcing over the PA “Attention students this is your headmaster reminding you welcome our new arrivals OR ELSE!” Gotta love ‘im he’s so not cut out to do what he’s doing but he’s trying.

The art is good. It’s not my favorite but given how much I disliked the first art of this series this art is more than serviceable. It’s good strong art that is not overly stylized and supports the story well. I totally enjoyed it and was thankful for it. However it wouldn’t rank in my top five, should I be pressed to do such.

In the end I put down the issue happy to be back to the core of the title. I enjoyed the whole thing from cover to cover. I like how Logan welcomed back the staff that had disagreed with him at the start of AvX but now sees it his way. I get the touching moment with Hank and felt it too. I worry about some of the hints dropped by students – who is Idie seeing at this church? How Quire deal with the Stepford Cuckoos given his feelings and resurrection of their sister? Warbird what will her new role be? Good plot lines to be developed over time if they don’t get lost (shhh we shall never bring up frozen wolverpups again that should be lost along with the stupid lupine/Romulus crap) in service of the huge ‘event’ multi-title marketing arcs.

So hang on to your hats an issue I thought lived up to the promise of the title but trust me it doesn’t last long. But let’s bathe in the joy of the moment shall we?

****Scans that are possible SPOILERS*** WARNING WARNING WILL ROBINSON DANGER OF SPOILERS*****

The great scientific minds (minus Bruce Banner) were puzzling over the Phoenix problem but Broo the JGS student saw the answer to their equation. I have to say I love how Tony befriends little lost Broo. Oh wait didn’t Tony want to register all mutants and declare them… oh let’s let Civil War by-gones be by-gones and enjoy the cute. Still if it were mutant me I’d hold a grudge against him.

There are so many things I loved in these few panels. First Logan’s announcement his gruff exterior with a heart of gold to run the school was showing in just that little bit. Next Quire and Stepfords LONG story there but to see him with them again in a school oh… you know that’s going to cook up trouble. Finally in the last panel there – my beloved bamfs. Not just because they are like naked little Kurts running around (I mean I adored Kurt as Logan’s BFF) but also how they seem to like and protect Kitty. I love how she’s petting one here and the look on that one’s face. So cute.

I think I liked this page best. Except that Bobby is iced up again. I am starting to feel sorry for Toad who must have to follow Professor Drake about and mop up the water puddles. Serious Bobby why?

Any way I like how Logan handles Bobby’s return. I want people who aren’t yes men. Logan knows he’s taken on something that goes against his grain, that isn’t his natural talent. Doesn’t mean he can’t do it just means he’s working at it and needs people who aren’t afraid to tell him like it is. Yeah there at the end Bobby’s totally right. Logan knows it but can’t change everything in the first year of being headmaster RIGHT?

Until next time folks!

November 27, 2012
Comic Comments – When A Hot Date Goes Bad

This is a decent tie-in to the AvX. If you’ve been reading you know my issues with AvX and I’m not following it beyond when it interrupts my pull list. This falls into that category. However I will say this issue is much better than the last issue which didn’t center on the school AT ALL. This centers on the school even though it’s a date between Kitty and Piotr (Colossus who is possessed with the Phoenix). We see the strain on the staff to have Hank, Rachel, Bobby, and Logan all off in the stupid war. We also see the strain between Kitty and Piotr differences over the school concept as well as the Phoenix force.

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.

The creative team for the issue is as follows: Jason Aaron, Writer – Jorge Molina, Penciler – Norman Lee, Inker – Morry Hollowell, Colorist – Chris Eliopoulos, Letterer – Nick Bradshaw & Justin Ponsor, Cover Artists – Jordan D. White, Assistant editor – Daniel Ketchum, Associate Editor – Nick Lowe, Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief, Jow Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

Since the Scott/Logan issues from Wolverine and the X-Men title this is the best. That’s not saying much really but it’s something. This one like those centers on the school and tell how the AvX interruptus effects the staff and students at the school. Let’s face it I come to this title to read about the school, preferably Logan and his staff, students and how they interact AT THE SCHOOL he founded. I don’t come here to read about some alien race fighting the Phoenix force or some big sales pitch multi-title arc. This issue gives me what I buy the book to read and for that I am thankful.

There are many plot threads here that are developing – the return of staff that sided with Scott at first but don’t like what he’s become. Will the be welcomed back or turned away? Toad’s collecting Husk’s discarded skin and playing house with them. That’s gotta surface in some odd way some time. The relationship of Bobby/Kitty and Pitor/Kitty which is the future and will the headmistress stay at the school or go for a man? Oh and how is the school coping with so many of the staff gone? What if they are attacked when at low staff will Logan’s edict of ‘kids don’t fight’ stand? All great plot threads started in this issue and all centered around the school at the school.

While I’m in what I like/don’t like mode let me say I still don’t like Colossus being alive. Nope I don’t. When he was brought back in Ultimates I thought it was a disservice to his character that made a noble sacrifice to kill a virus that was deadly. I thought okay this is a separate universe I’ll go with the what if he survived in the Ultimates but don’t dare bring him back in the main 616 universe. But some how it bled over – why some things that happen in the Ultimates stay in the Ultimates and don’t bleed over but other stuff does is beyond me. It makes no damn sense. Then to bring back a character that performed a heroic death only to make him the monster he’s been becoming over the last year I don’t like at all. In my book Piotr is dead from the virus stayed dead and is a noble hero. Don’t care about the Ultimates any more and if he lives over there so be it. Don’t cross streams Marvel and for gosh sakes DON’T CROSS STEAMS ARBITRARILY!

As for the art – VAST improvement over the first arc in this line where it was so busy I had to cling to dialogue to tell what was happening in the story. There is no distortion of mouths or hands, no curling greyhound-ties, no pointy feel girls. It’s good solid art that I enjoyed VERY MUCH. I do think the color palette was a bit too far on the light or pastel side. I enjoy bolder colors but it didn’t bother me at the school so much as in the date scene. As for the cover, I love that art. Oh please please let that team do a few arcs in the story some time. PLEASE for me…

In the end I liked the story for what it was a forced tie-in from the title to the overall marketing arc that was undoing the House of M stuff for now at least. I’ve learned don’t count on Marvel to ever do much that lasts or is new and lasts. They almost always go back and forth on the same road. Yet hope does spring eternal and I hope that one day they will grow up and move beyond that. If only the money would let them.

As for this title there’s a few more AvX interruptus issues then they get an arc of their own. Shall we hope it’s as good as Alpha and Omega was? ohhh dare I hope even BETTER! Yes yes I’m climbing down I won’t go over the edge into insanity.

*** a few scanned pages that might be deemed spoilery** I didn’t want to spoil how the date went so here’s the staff meeting I enjoyed more than the date any way.

(more…)

November 20, 2012
Comic Comment – WXM Alpha and Omega

Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha & Omega was a limited run five issue story. I will have to say I LOVED this story. It’s the kind of thing I come to a book about Logan running a school for mutant kids to find. KUDOS! I don’t know why this wonderful arc wasn’t part of the main title. I can only guess it would have interfered withe AvsX Interruptus and we gotta support the annual Big Event to sell dem comic books. Never mind great art and great story telling we need multi-title gimmicks. AT least we got this story!

I want to give credit to the creators of this arc. They are: Brian Wood, Writer; Roland Boschi & Dan Brown, Art (Westchester); Mark Brooks with Andrew Currie, Jay Leisten, Norman Lee, & Ronda Pattison, Art (Construct) Issue 1; Mark Brooks with Andrew Currie, Walden Wong, Ronda Pattison & Andres Mossa, Art (Construct) Issue 2; Mark Brooks with Andrew Currie & Ronda Pattison, Art (Construct) Issues 3 & 4; Mark Brooks with Andrew Currie, Cam Smith & Ronda Pattison, Art (Construct) Issue 5; Mark Brooks, Cover Art issues 1 & 2; Joe Tyler Christopher, Cover Art Issue 3, 4, & 5; VX’S Joe Sabino, Letterer, Jared K. Fletcher, Designer; Sebastian Girner, Assistant Editor; Jeanine Schaefer, Editor; Nick Lowe, Group Editor; Axel Alonso, Editor In Chief; Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer, Dan Buckley, Publisher; and Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

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.

I’ll start with the art. I like the covers. Though they aren’t always accurate for the story. Like Beast doesn’t appear in any issue but on the cover of 5. They all reflect the story well and represent what is going on in the books. It’s not stock images stuck on to finish it off. My favorite cover is 4. I just like the composition of it and the idea of Quentin trying to force Logan into doing something and Logan fighting that control. So the covers are cool and despite all the little Liefield pouches on Logan in the first one I like them.

The interior art is well conceived. I like having two distinct styles for the two settings of the story. One is the school – real life what’s going on here in reality. The second is the construct – what’s going on in the mind game Quentin is running. The art for Westchester is bright crisp and clean. The art for the construct (images cobbled together by Quentin from his favorite video games, action movies, and books) is darker and grittier. The concept works beautifully to quickly and clearly let you know where you are. The characters are well done in both worlds. Well except Rachel at times looks odd… in Westchester. I had a few nit picky things because I am a nit picky person when it comes to my favorite character in comic books but over all I was happily reading and enjoying the experience of a good story told with words and art.

The story is a simple one but profoundly reveals much about the two main characters and who they really are. Logan proves he’s a changed man, even the berserker rage in him has changed. Quentin exposes the real kid under all the bravado he puts on most of the time. The only problem is the whole school gets caught up in these two strong personalities coming to terms with each other and themselves.

Quentin is bored. He’s rebellious and resents having to go to classes. He focuses most of his frustration on Logan as the headmaster. Quentin feels he’s being held prisoner here by Logan given how he came to be a student (scroll down for black and white scan to see the deal Logan made). To prove he doesn’t need to go the psychwar 101 class he decides to take over the mind of the headmaster. Also there’s a bit of jealousy that Logan is “the coolest dude in the room.” So he captures Logan’s conscience into this mind construct he’s built. Immediately there are problems. First Logan was sparring with Hisako Ichiki, Armor, at the time and the mind capture caught her in the construct too. Second there’s the bodies of Logan and Hisako collapsing on the grass in front of the school.

Quentin deals with these problems and goes about playing games with Logan in the construct. Only another problem surfaces, Quentin didn’t capture all of Logan’s mind. The berserker part is still in Logan’s body and now has control of it. Not good to have an angry Berserker running loose in the school screaming for Quire! The school goes into lockdown while Rachel tries to figure out where Hisako is and what’s happened to the headmaster.

Quentin is feeling the strain. Logan very experience in mind games realizes something is up in the construct. He’s fighting against it and trying to put it all together. Hisako is taking his lead. This ups the stress level on Quentin who realizes he has to shut this down and get Logan back in control of his body. After Logan tore up Quentin’s room looking for him.

When in the construct a few things come to light. Quentin isn’t as confident as he seems he’s really a terrified young man with a magnificent power. He’s not totally sure how to use it or control it. He’s lonely and scared and truth be told admires Logan. Logan stays true to himself he’s willing to fight to keep Quentin and Hisako safe. Quentin realizes how important the school is for so many people like himself and Hisako. He knows if Logan doesn’t make it out of the construct then that’s over. Only problem is Quentin can’t get them out! It’s taken on running itself and he has no idea on how to shut it down.

In the end Quentin grows up some and makes a sacrifice of himself for all the others he knows needs Logan and the school. They finally make out of the construct but not damage free. However, both Quentin and Logan learned some important things from the debacle. They come to a new understanding between the two of them.

Like I said this is an awesome story for the Jean Grey School of Higher Learning. It’s what I want from the title. Logan is not Xavier as headmaster but it’s growing into the role and making it his own. His students aren’t being groomed to be a fighting team but they are being groomed to be responsible mutants in life. This story underlines that concept and reaffirms it not only for the title that is currently just supporting the AvsX arc but for Logan himself.

Next up we’ll be leaving Marvel for a look at my free preview issue of DC’s Batman Earth One. A funny fact – you can confirm this with my parents – my first word in life was Batman. No joke. I was DC fan way back but left it behind in the 70s and move to Marvel. Who knows maybe this issue convinces me to try DC again. Stay tuned.

You know what’s after the jump. Commentary on panels and pages.

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August 22, 2012
Comic Comments – Born Warbird

This is Kid Gladiator’s father fighting the Phoenix. Why it’s on the cover of Wolverine and The X-Men is beyond me. Its tie to this title is very tenuous at best. Are we now going to be treated to a series of covers of parents of students at the school reacting to the Big Event? So goes the whole issue 13 of the title. It’s not about the school, staff members, students, but rather the bodyguard of a student.

Still I like to give credit where it’s due. As Charlemagne said no one ever did me a favor or an injustice without being richly repaid (or words to that effect as a high schooler I wanted that on my tombstone see why Wolverine is my favorite). Those responsible for this issue are: Jason Aaron, Writer; Nick Bradshaw, Penciler; Walden Wong, Cam Smith, & Nick Bradshaw, Inkers; Guru EFX, Colorist; Chris Eliopoulos, Letterer; Nick Bradshaw & Justin Ponsor, 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; and Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

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.

We all know my rule about MY X-men – no aliens and no magic! This issue centers around an alien bodyguard of an alien student who I pretend isn’t alien but is a rich mutant brat with a mutant bodyguard. It didn’t work well in this issue. She is of Shi’Tar no that’s not shittier that’s Shi’Tar a warrior like race (think Klingon but cleaner with brighter colors).

We learn Warbird was given Kid Gladiator as her charge to be punished. She tells of how she liked to draw, let an enemy kid go during a battle, and still longs to learn how to live. Her culture teaches her how to die, but she’s struggling to learn how to live.

That story is told with the obligatory cuts to the Big Event story of Warbird going with Gladiator (the father) to get her charge. Kid Gladiator has gone to fight with the X-Men. Since the Phoenix is with the X-Men they have to do battle with it. The warrior race the Shi’Tar get their asses kicked.

No sign of the school, no sign of the staff, no sign of Wolverine named in the title, just the memories of a student’s bodyguard and fights scenes. Don’t care about any of that I come to this title for the stuff that was left out this time.

It is on that note we leave this title to churn away in AvsX interruptus. Hopefully when it pops back up in the rotation we’ll be through with that and can get back to the reason for the title.

Up next is a great limited run title that does take place at the school, that is about the students and staff. Wolverine and The X-Men: Alpha and Omega issues 1-5.

Not much here just one scan of a few panels. You hear Warbird tell us her punishment for letting a kid go and see a bit of the fight action.

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August 20, 2012
Comic Comments – Hounded
We’re back for another installment of AvsX interruptus. This is issue 12 of Wolverine and The X-Men which is supposed to be about Logan being headmaster of the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning we get Kid Gladiator fighting the Avengers on the cover of an issue about Rachel Summers. Yes the former staff member is doing her part on the X-men side. This issue also features Hank fighting with Bobby as they took opposite sides.

So let’s give credit to those who made this: Jason Aaron, Writer; Chris Bachalo, Penciler/Colorist; Tim Townsend, Jaime Mendoza, Al Vey, & Victor Olazaba, Inkers; Chris Eliopoulos, Letterer; Nick Bradshaw & Rachelle Rosenberg, 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; and Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

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.

I’ve already aired my issues with the cover. The interior art suffers from my usual complaints with Bachalo – messy confusing fight scenes, too stylized characters, and I can’t tell who is who in the action sequences. I have to admit I am growing to like his down time stuff but it’s not got the bizarre issues of the action that throw me out of the story and leave me clinging to dialogue to figure out what’s happening. His bar scene with Rachel and Logan is good. His classroom scenes are good. So I say give him the issues that are calm, character driven ones and let Bradshaw handle the action issues. Just my personal opinion, kinda like showing you my belly button we all got ’em.

Now for the story I had some questions. First off why do Namor and Scott talk in squiggly yellow bubbles with red writing. Well that was answered when I found out they are now two of the Phoenix Five. Apparently Tony Stark, Ironman, did something to divide the Phoenix and it went into Scott Summers, Emma Frost, Namor, Piotr Rasputin, and Magik. So now they are the Phoenix and that’s why the special bubbles.

Next why is Rachel going to meet Logan when they have already chosen opposite sides in the war? Then why does she lie to Scott? Apparently the rest of this story was told in Avengers issue 29. One of those follow the thread all over the damn place that happens with the Big Events. I’m not. Didn’t know until I read Eric Scroggs’s review there.

So what did I walk away from this issue with?
- Kid Gladiator’s father is coming for him. I don’t care.
- Rachel may be returning to Logan’s point of view. Okay good so we can get back to where we were before this rude AvsX interruption.
- Hank dislikes Scott’s stance as much as Logan does. (Yep B is definitely for Beast on the dartboard)
- Logan gives Kid Gladiator a lesson in How to Fight with Fighting (one of the classes he teacher at JGSHL. The boy’s been schooled by the experienced headmaster.
So the battle rages on and I’m anxiously awaiting school to start back again. Next is more AvsX with issue 13 centered on the bodyguard of Kid Gladiator in an issue entitled Born Warbird then we’ll leave this title for now.

As usual more after the jump but don’t think they are spoilery as this issue really doesn’t have a story arc it’s just supporting the Big Event and stories in other titles to sell more books. I’d prefer if they depended on good title development to that and save the Big Events for once a decade kind of changes, or every other decade…

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August 17, 2012
Comic Comments – Got Hope?

After some internal debate I decided to take this AVX tie-in stories one at a time. They hop all around the major story time line so really they are single stand alone vignettes related to the characters featured in Wolverine And The X-Men title. This one centers on the staff in their new positions on their chosen sides in the war. It’s issue 11 for the title and has very little to do with the operation of the school. I’m not buying the titles in AVX so I have fill in here and there with what I learn of the other story lines that are effecting what’s going on here. I’ll try to keep up but if you can fill me in or correct me that’d be great.

As always there’s credits to be given: Jason Aaron, Writer; Nick Bradshaw, Penciler; Walden Wong, Nick Bradshaw, & Norman Lee, Inkers; Justin Ponsor, Colorist; Chris Eliopoulos, Letterer; 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; and Alan Fine, Executive Producer.

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.

First off the cover – I have no clue why Hulk is red and don’t really care. I’m not into Hulk comics too much SMASH not enough story. Next it’s Bobby all iced up again doing that multiple man trick he developed back in issue 1. Has nothing to do with why I come to Wolverine and the X-Men title which is Logan and his school. This cover has everything to do with the event I have no interest in at all.

Interior is just a choppy mess. We jump from fight to fight with the only slim thread tying it to this title is each fight either has a staff member or student in it. The fights are all fan-boy match-ups shown in just a few panels before we jump over here then over there. I can name the characters because I recognize them and am familiar with the Marvel Universe.

There was one big thing I got from this issue. Logan realizes he can’t kill Hope even if it’s to save the world. It’s not what he’s been fighting for, it’s not who he chose to be from now on. He’s not the guy who kills kids, he’s the one who saves them. He’s determined to save Hope.

A few asides I picked up are: Capt can kick Gambit’s ass. Kid Omega sided with Scott. Quentin complains about not being able to fight doesn’t care which side just hates doing homework. Hope has some Phoenix in her right now and wants to get to the moon for some reason.

That’s it. That’s all I got. Glad Logan reaffirmed his reasons for founding the school. Don’t care about the rest. Just wish this big fight would be over so we can reboot – sorry that’s a DC term now isn’t it – so we can be Marvel NOW!’d and get back to Logan being headmaster at a school for mutant kids.

Next up is issue 12 entitled Hounded with more AVX crap. Yeah you can feel my excitement over this radiating out through the screen can’t you? **YAWN**

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August 16, 2012