I know I am WAY behind on my Comic Comments but I’m making effort to catch up with the list. I am seriously considering doing by issue once I get the backlog diminished significantly. Mostly because it would be easier to keep up with what I’ve reviewed and what I haven’t.
Okay my mea culpa and plans revealed let’s talk zombies! This is a one-shot that fits into the Marvel Zombie line but not into any continuity. Just think of this as a fun story, part of the fun is figuring out who is who in this post zombie apocalypse world. It’s an excellent Marvel superhero tale for Halloween.
First give credit where credit is due for this one-shot: Fred Van Lente, Writer – Alessandro Vitti, Artist – Jean-Francois Beaulieu, Cover – Jon Moisan, Asst. Editor – Bill Roseman, Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief – Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Executive Producer.
The art is perfect for the issue. I like the ‘dirty’ line look and really suits Old Man Scratch in his appearances. It also does well with the zombies by giving suggestion without being too explicit on the details of decay. I thought it was excellent and made the tale even better.
As for the story it starts out with a definite Walking Dead (tv show) vibe but quickly becomes a Marvel tale. The premise is that a mother and son have established a safe camp in an old Victorian mansion complete with a greenhouse for safe gardening. The boy is going over the calendar and discovers it’s Halloween. After them mom explains what the holiday was and the boy wants to celebrate.
Here the tale takes the Marvel turn – they find the boy a Wolverine costume in the basement. When they head out to get candy – they encounter superhero zombies. I’ll leave it to you to discover just who these are! It’s fun to see them in that form, LOL!
Then Old Man Scratch makes his appearance accompanied by the Rolling Stone song that introduces him. The question becomes – do you want to be in debt to the devil or eaten by zombies? I’ll leave you with that only to say that in the end a black kitten makes it all worth it.
Just who are the mother and child? That’s part of the twist too! Let’s just say there is a clue in the fact Mom likes Wolverine (no he’s not the father of the boy THIS time). In the end I enjoyed the tale of Halloween during a Zombie Apocalypse, well done Marvel, well done! If you didn’t pick this one last Halloween get it in time for this one.
The Dreaming Maiden was the final arc of Wolverine Volume #4 taking #314 through 317. There is much here that I liked about volume #4 – Melita and Jean Grey School. It also includes some things I don’t like – magic crap, Seraph’s Angels, and yet another group Logan was a member.
Credit to the creators of this arc: Cullen Bunn, Writer – Paul Pelletier, Penciler #314-316 – Cam Smith, Penciler #316 -317 – Dave Meikis, Inker – Cam Smith, Drew Hennessy, Mark Pennington, Inkers #317 – Rain Beredo, Colorist #314-316 – Wil Quintana, Colorist #316-317 – VC’s Cory Petit, Letterer – Mike DelMundo, Covers – Jared K Fletcher, Designer – Jennifer M. Smith, Asst. Editor – Jeannie Schafer, Editor – Nick Lowe, Group Editor – Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief – Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer – Dan Buckley, Publisher – Alan Fine, Ex. Producer.
In this arc a good deed Logan did back in his days as a free-lance muscle guy comes back to haunt him. It turns out years ago he was hired by a group called The Covenant to kill a maiden that dreams the future. As he’s trying to recover his relationship with and memories of Melita after his second encounter with Dr. Rot he’s interrupted by his past. He leaves Melita to ensure his good deed still saved a life.
As the story progresses we learn magic is involved, possibly aliens, and there’s yet another shadow group of super powers with their agenda operating in the world. I get that Logan is getting near 200 years old and that he might have involvements we haven’t heard about. Yet I find that Marvel universe is getting crammed full of superpowered groups (magical, alien, mutant, mutated like Spidy, etc.) that I have to wonder are there any normal every day humans left? Also how can one of these groups turn around without bumping into another one – be they good or evil groups? It’s getting too far fetched that was supposed to be fixed with the M-Day arc but no it’s getting bloated again.
As Logan goes about protecting the Dreaming Maiden again Seraph’s Angels get involved to help him. If you aren’t familar with Seraph’s Angels it’s a group of Logan’s bitter exs that now are a super-team themselves. Melita is the newest member. I have issues about this on several levels. First I find it insulting to women that they all unite having been in a relationship with the same man. Is that all that defines them now – ex-girl of Wolverine. I find that very demeaning of women. Especially these women that were portrayed as very strong women in their own arcs and now they are mewling jilted lovers that can’t get over it so banded together to kick ass. Not a concept I enjoy. Not something I enjoy seeing as a role for a strong female character. Next Cassie the BTF Agent wasn’t really a girl friend – she chased him and eventually he screwed her to feel human after placing a dead drug dealing woman’s baby in her nice sister’s care. As far as she goes it seems to be a one-night stand she never got over. Next issue is there was this big arc where Logan dug up Seraph’s body to find out about the Romulus crap. So she’s supposed to be dead – but if it gets rid of all that stupid line about Romulus and Remus I’d love to have Seraph back. Though I do wonder how she’s not a little person any more and how this effects her dying wish he marry Viper to keep peace in Madapoori. That all said there were some funny panels that come from exs working together.
Once again during the climatic scene that addresses the major issue of the arc – Wolverine/us black out to learn how it resolved itself without us. This has a rushed feel and looking at the number of inkers, change of colorists, and such add to that impression. We are left with the hanging questions that won’t be answered since the title is off to relaunch as part of the Marvel NOW initiative. The sad thing is that when the arc started it was pitched as a jumping on point but then we are left wondering – “What will the reunited Covenant do now?” “Are the Dreaming Maiden’s people coming for her?” “What’s the status between Logan and Melita?” So far in the new volume these are just dropped threads that may never be picked up in service of the trend of bit events and relaunches of titles after them.
Over all I lie the concept – Logan spared a life back in his for hire days. The group that hired him for hit find out their target is still alive and come after Logan to finish this supposedly “finished” contract. In the course of saving the target again he has to work with a bitter ex or two. Is a great pitch, a great set up and a story that I wanted to read. However to have him black out during the resolution, the group that hired the hit slip away, and magic/aliens be involved destroyed it for me.
As for the art, it was good until #316 then it develops what I consider a rushed feel. Suddenly we change pencilers, we have a team of inkers, and the colorist split the job. Not only does the story feel rushed to the conclusion but so does the art. Not keeping the at least same penciler through out the whole arc or changing artists to make say flashbacks differ from story today is fine but this like the jump in artists in the Warbird arc at X-Men gives the story a rushed to finish patchwork feeling.
That said I do enjoy Pelletier’s art. It’s not in my top loves but I like it and enjoy it. Smith does well picking up and blending in as best as two artists can. Their styles aren’t as abruptly different as those in the Warbird arc I mentioned. I think the expressiveness in the opening scene where Logan is trying to understand and recapture what he had with Melita is touching and well done. Pelletier is good at giving a strong character the looks of vulnerability, regret, and sadness without much to-do. It adds well to the experience of the comic where not everything is stated some is shown.
Once again I’m left feeling Marvel missed the mark in the rush to keep to corporate plans. Honestly, I am waiting for the day when they realize that well written stories coupled with strong supporting art will sell comics better longer term than marketing gimmicks. I know of two faithful readers that have dropped many Marvel titles because they are tired of potentially good story concepts ruined by forced cross-overs or rush to the next gimmicky event.
Next a few highlights from the issues – some laughs with ex-girlfriends and some touching scenes along with nonsense.
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!
It’s been awhile since I’ve done a post updating on my pull list status. Some comics have fallen by the wayside and others have come on the list. Let’s look at what I am reading and why.
If you’ve been to Cons you’ll laugh and nod while reading.
The Adventures of Comic Con Girl had me laughing and nodding. I’ve been to Cons and I know of what they are parodying. This is a limited run and fun to laugh at ourselves. I look forward to her adventures and know if this was on-going it’d drop but for the short limited it’s worth the read.
This issue Logan IS the bomb.
Actually I’ll have to say it wasn’t Logan being a bomb that brought me back. What brought me back into this title was the previews of this issue. I loved how the team reacted and worked together after the Logan bomb went off. How they supported him and worked with each other to figure it out. I like that kind of X-Men story it’s too much inter fighting and not enough teamwork stories lately. So I went back to issue 50 just before Northstar’s wedding issue. Oh Logan blew at the wedding reception luckily he’d left the tent to walk off his ‘too many canapes’ that were upsetting his stomach.
You wouldn’t know it today since I’m heavily Marvel and Independents but DC and I go way back. So far back that my first word was Batman, not Mom, not Dad, but Batman. However I burned on DC decades ago. I’d tried about every five years or so to make a foray into their titles to be disappointed. However the free Earth One I got with the preview of the Batman story line hooked me. That was a title I liked with just Batman. I put my old buddy back on the list in hopes we can renew our friendship. Would be could to welcome him back with Wolverine and Bigby as a favored hero.
I liked Top Cow back in the day. Then with the buzz surrounding this and the kickstarter project I just gotta see the results. So this went on the pull list. I’ll let you know what I think.
I’m staying with this title out of nostalgia. I loved Dark Shadows back in the early 70s and this has kept the vibe. Unlike the Depp/Burton butchering of it, this held true to what I adored. So as long as they keep up with the original I’ll keep this on my pull list.
Deadpool‘s own title the best of the Merc with a Mouth. I enjoy him as the antidote for the overly serious superhero/villain stories. He’s staying on the pull list for the fun that he is.
Fables is a staple of any pull list I ever create. when starting a pull list first on the list is Wolverine and second is Fables. Fables for consistence excellence in writing and art. I’ve never been let down by them in the years I’ve been reading.
The latest and currently on-going spin off from Fables. Just like the main titles have never let me down – neither have the spin-off titles. So I’m on board.
I have a handful of favorite characters in Marvel beyond Wolverine. One of the is Nick Fury. When this started set in the 60s with great cover art I was interested and haven’t been disappointed. I’ve heard the tale of Fury in WWII many times but Fury in the 60s-80s not so much and enjoy this take on him.
Another favorite Marvel man of mine is Gambit. He’s had his own title many times – this is his 5th. I wouldn’t miss it. I’m waiting for the first arc to complete before reading but I have flipped through. I’m anxious to see what he’s like here as teacher by day – superhero thief by night.
I’m a fan of the Ghosbusters movies. The first DVD I ever bought was the first movie. So I had to try this comic, they had me at John Beluishi as Jake Blues was the guardian angel of Ackroyd’s Dr. Raymond Stanz sold me on the series.
With the pleathra of paranormal “reality” shows and my penchant for loving those types of stories I had to try out this title. I’ve not been disappointed and it still sits on my pull-list in a well deserved spot.
When Marvel Zombies were introduced I loved them as a novelty gag. I didn’t nor am I interested in a series based on them. BUT a Halloween special SURE! Zombies, Marvel, and Halloween pass the candy corn I’ve got reading to do. I’ll also be getting the Holidays special just like last year. Hopefully I’ll be more timely in reviewing it.
Speaking of zombies – this centers around zombies in Wisconsin. I couldn’t resist. I’ve not read waiting on complete first arc before I dive in. I know it’s been highly praised and is in multiple reprints to meet demand.
I read great reviews of this and jumped in at issue 6 which was sold as a good jumping on point. I liked it so much I went back and bought issues 1-5. I’m a fan of the odd and strange. I’ve been intrigued by UFO tales since there was a bulletin board outside my 3rd grade class about them back in 1974. This story is good at weaving in all the classic tales, theories, incidents, and such into the telling. I am enjoying it very much.
Okay another type of story I enjoy the heist/scam story. Think Oceans 12, The Heist, The Sting, etc. Scam struck me as being in that vein. I put on the list and was surprised when I got issue 1 that it’s more than a double sized issue. I’ll stay on to see where it goes. So far so good.
Okay I jumped on this for two reasons 1) awesome reviews 10 out of 10 rating this I gotta see and 2) I’ve had to make similar decision (not so extreme) working in the rad waste industry as a consultant. I’ll be honest I’ve not read them yet again waiting for a full arc so I can judge. But if it lives up to a portion of what the reviewers claim – it’s awesome.
I got this to see where the over all Marvel universe goes post AvX interruptus. I hop on and off the New Avengers boat as the title and arcs grab me. I’m not sure how long I’ll stay on this Uncanny Avengers title but for now I’m willing to stay for at least the first arc.
I’m on and off the X-Force boat like I’ve been the Avenger boat. Anytime Cable isn’t there I’ll consider it. I don’t like Cable and avoid him unless Deadpool is there then I consider it REAL HARD. So here we have Wolverine and Deadpool my most favorite character and one of my other favorite Marvel men. So I’m on until this title ends at issue 35, which is 4 more issues.
Okay I’ll admit it I hopped on this title after falling for the TV show it inspired. Yes they are two different stories with the same characters and kinda the same plot but not exactly. Both are excellent both get my time, neither am I dropping. Good writing will always keep me enthralled.
Remember back at Fables I said whenever I start a pull list… well this is the first title on it. My favorite character by far in the comics is James “Logan” Howlett. This title at times rocks and other times sucks (like the most recently completed arc sucked.) At times it’ll be so bad I’ll drop comics all together for years (AHEM Evolution arc I’m looking RIGHT AT YOU) but then something awesome will come and I’ll be back. So this time I put on my barn boots and waded through the last arc of Sabertooth Reborn and hoped for better. Isn’t that always how it is with the one you love they’ll drive you crazy.
This would be number 3 on my pull list. I love this title and hope, hope that they assign strong artists to it. I adore the growth of character it took to make Wolverine headmaster of his own school. Five years ago we’d thought it’d been Scott but no it’s Logan who inherits Xavier’s dream and carries on. It makes perfect sense in many ways. I love watching it be carried out. I hope this title is around for a VERY long time and sits there on any pull list I make with Wolverine and Fables.
The final title doesn’t have a preview cover released yet – Wolverine Max. It’s a Wolverine title so yeah it’s on my list. It’s another retelling of the Wolverine tale so I might like it if it’s limited like Wolverine Noir was or I might get bored and dump it. Been there done that don’t need another universe to follow… like recent First X-Men title for me. Only time will tell. Check in to my next pull list post and see if it stayed or read the Comic Comments I do and see what I think.
Mary Louise Eklund 