Weekly Comics Review - 22nd May 2024

 

I take a look at a selection of this weeks comic releases. This week I read and review Blood Hunt, Nightwing, Green Lantern: War Journal, Ultimate Black Panther, and more!

Fall of the House of X #5

Writer: Gerry Duggan, Artist: Lucas Werneck, Stefano Caselli, 
Colourist: Bryan Valenza, Letterer: Travis Lanham

The war against Orchis is fast moving to it's conclusion, and this issue pretty much wraps everything up in a nice neat package. Without wasting any time this issue opens in the middle of the action, with the X-Men fighting Nimrod and his multiple duplicates across the world and on the crashing Orchis space station. Nimrod being able to split himself across different avatars at the same time allows multiple heroes to have the chance to tangle with the villain this issue, and we get some great moments, such as Magento and Polaris teaming up, and Cyclops continuing to prove why he's a leader as he holds the monster off long enough for the big gun to arrive; Storm.

Not only does the issue deal with Nimrod, finally putting the machine down for good (hopefully), but we get a conclusion to Omega Sentinel's turn as a villain. Having had her body inhabited by a version of herself from a dark future, Karima has turned on her former allies and has been fighting for their extinction. Thanks to Psylocke, however, her true psyche gets freed, and the injured and traumatised Karima is saved. I know fans of the character haven't been completely happy with her villain turn, so this issue addressing it, and setting her up to have a decent story come out of this with her journey to forgiveness, should hopefully keep fans satisfied. 

The art team on the issue do a hell of a job, and deliver some fantastic action sequences and it feels like most of the key players in the issue get a moment where you just have to stop and take in what they're doing because it's incredibly cool. The issue really hammers home how great the X-Men can look when they're backed into a corner, fighting to save the world, never giving in. There are some great moments here that really reinforce why people love these characters so much. With the AI's put to bed, things are still not finished though, with Xavier still working his schemes, and the danger of Enigma still looming, the final two issues of the Krakoa Era look set to be just as pack as this one. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Spectacular Spider-Men #3

Writer: Greg Weisman, Artist: Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba,
Colourist: Edgar Delgado, Letterer: Joe Caramagna

One of the best parts of The Spectacular Spider-Men has been the slowly unfolding mystery. In the first issue we got brief interludes that felt almost unconnected, and in the second we began to understand them more are we realised people were being given the chance to live the life of their dreams, and this issue we finally learn who's behind the bizarre scheme as Peter and Miles fall victim to it too. Split across different time periods, we see Miles and Peter further searching for the missing people around campus in the sewers, with a little help from the Vermin clones and Shift, as well as the dream lives that the two heroes get trapped in.

As with most 'dream' scenarios that Peter has been in in the past (think House of M) his dream life is him living in a post-Spider-Man retirement with his loving wife Gwen Stacy, and their two kids. Having seen this kind of scenario before it does feel a little bit like a rehash, especially as Ultimate Spider-Man also has a happily married father Peter Parker going on; however, it's Weisman's writing that keeps it from feeling stale, and makes these parts of the issue enjoyable to read. Whilst Peter is stuck in that reality, Miles is going on his first date with Kamala. Building upon seeds planted in past interactions, we get to see a little bit of what the two of them becoming a couple would be like; and it's pretty adorable.

The art on the issue, with pencils by Humberto Ramos and inks by Victor Olazaba, looks great. The art on this series has been a genuine joy so far, with even the more mundane and realistic scenes being packed full of energy and tiny details that will bring a smile to your face. However, this issue it's perhaps the splash pages that are the best looking, with the second page in the book being a great reveal of some sneaky trickery going on with the first page. Overall, this has been a really enjoyable title so far, and those feeling disappointed in the flagship Spider-Man book should definitely be checking this out. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Titans #11

Writer: Tom Taylor, Artist: Lucas Meyer, Colourist: Adriano Lucas,
Letterer: Wes Abbott

One of the things that I find with Tom Taylor's writing is that it always feels like a fast read. Taylor likes to get to the point quick, and moves the plot forward so that by the time you get to the end of the issue it feels like you've only just begun. This issue of Titans definitely had that feel to it, likely enhanced by having the first half of the book giving us a history to this arcs new villain, Vanadia. A little girl who watches the Teen Titans save the world, she grows up wanting to be a member of the team. Spending years building herself up, getting stronger and faster, she eventually joins a programme designed to give her enhanced powers. Unfortunately, those kinds of things never go as planned, and readers won't be surprised to find out that she's far from what she set out to be. Now being lied to and manipulated by other forces, she's sent to fight her heroes.

Mixed into this we also get a little furthering of the evil Raven arc, with Dick having been onto her for a while now and investigating her. But how do you investigate someone who can read your mind? Well, this brings us to the part of the issue that I honestly didn't really like too much. Dick having set up a mental safe room to hide his thoughts, fine, I can go with that. But the word that activates it was a little too much for me. Batman is currently driving Zur-en-arrh into the ground for me, and this issue taking some inspiration from that just lost me if I'm honest. Hopefully Circ-en-arrh will never come up again; I've already seen it relentlessly mocked dozens of times online, so I don't think I'm the only one who isn't down for that particular one.

Outside of the story that has some ups and downs the art on the issue is great, and Lucas Meyer does some great work at bringing Vanadia to life. She's got a pretty decent design, reminiscent of Amazo, yet also retaining a lot of elements of her human form, and she's utilised well in the action scenes she's in. Hopefully we'll get to see her do some more stuff next issue, and hopefully away from Titans Tower too, as we yet again have another story where a lot of stuff seems to be happening around the building. I'd like to see the Titans get out of the house a bit more as this arc goes on. ⭐⭐⭐

Predator: The Last Hunt #4

Writer: Ed Brisson, Artist: Francesco Manna, Colourist: Erick
Arciniega, Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Having grown up reading the Dark Horse Predator comics, I've long held the belief that comics are definitely a medium in which the movie monster can not only thrive, but excel. There have been some amazing comics featuring the Predator, and the entire concept of them crossing over with the Alien franchise (something that just seems to be a universally accepted part of the lore) began in the comics. But since the Marvel take-over of the book I've struggled to really enjoy them. They're all decent, there's nothing really wrong with the books, but they've just not wowed me (with the exception of the cross-over with Wolverine).

As this volume of the series comes to a close (and I wish they didn't start a new volume each story arc) it's the third or fourth story arc of the series and as with the others it kind of just limps towards it's end goal. The issue opens with Theta having been healed by the Nightmare Predator, and taken to a new hunting ground. Finding her armour waiting for her, she engages in a fight with the hunter with her allies Paolo and John being the prize. One of the biggest problems with the Marvel Predator titles for me has been that there's little memorable about them. This time round we've got John Schaefer popping up, and a cool looking new foe, but John doesn't do much and of course Theta beats the Predator at the end. There's no big wow moments, it just moves from one story to another without any sense of big resolution or pay off. Perhaps stopping the ongoing adventures of Theta and doing self contained mini's like Dark Horse would be the better way to go.

Whilst the story is fairly middle of the road, the art at least is good, and the pages of Theta fighting the Nightmare Predator are absolutely packed. There are a couple of pages that cram in as many panels as possible, showing the length and brutality of the fight, and how over powered Theta is by her new foe. And, the new Predator itself is a great design. Perhaps one of the more interesting looking Predators in this entire ongoing saga, it's a shame he's dispatched at the end and couldn't be used as an ongoing threat. With this story at a close we'll have to wait to see what comes next; but at least while we wait for news on the Predator series we know there's another cross-over coming in the near future. ⭐⭐⭐

Black Widow & Hawkeye #3

Writer: Stephanie Phillips, Artist: Paolo Villanelli, Colourist: Mattia
Iacono, Letterer: Joe Sabino

Perhaps it's something of a hot take, but I'm pretty sick of symbiotes. Everyone seems to have a symbiote now; every character in the Venom series, Black Widow, Deadpool, Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man 2099, and now Hawkeye gets to have a little play around with the alien goo too. The popularity of Venom seems to have become something of a curse as symbiotes are getting a constant push, worming their way into series and characters that just don't really need it. But, Black Widow having a symbiote is just her current status quo, and as such we have to deal with it in this issue as it was used to help burn poison out of Hawkeye's system.

That's the main thrust of this issue, Clint dealing with the comedown of the experience, of feeling just as sick from the alien creature as he did the poison. Natasha tells him about how it heightens negative feelings, and how this is something that he's going to have to deal with for a short while as a result, and it's interesting to see how just a brief exposure to the symbiote has such a dramatic effect on him. It definitely raises questions as to how much it might be affecting Natasha too, and if this series is going to be using the history between the two characters to help her through this and make her see she needs to get rid of the symbiote I'm definitely going to be interested in that. Kind of like a story of an old friend confronting you about an addiction.

Interspersed into this are flashbacks to the early days of the two leads, and we get to see some great scenes of them in their classic costumes, with a little cameo appearance by an old Avenger. The big, colourful costumes and the trick arrows definitely feel like a stark contrast to the more realistic and dour modern day parts of the book, and it's interesting to see how comic sensibilities have changed over the decades, where the silliness of old has been replaced. The flashbacks are definitely where the art excels too, and whilst it's fine seeing Clint recovering in a dark room watching him in bright purple breaking his way into the Russian embassy is just way more fun. ⭐⭐⭐

Superman #14

Writer: Joshua Williamson, Artist: Rafa Sandoval, Miguel Mendonca,
Colourist: Alejandro Sánchez, Letterer: Ariana Maher

The fourth chapter of House of Brainiac continues to deliver shocks and thrills as our scattered heroes begin to come together; but as Brainiac's plan unfolds the stakes shoot up when a deadly new foe enters the battle. Opening just where we left off before, Superman is having to deal with his ally, Lobo, turning against him. It's not clear yet whether this is a true double cross, or if Lobo and Superman have planned for this and it's part of their scheme to get to Brainiac, but frankly, at this point it doesn't really matter. What matters is that we've got an excuse to see the two of them fight, and it makes for a great moment in the story for sure as the two of them battle their way across the page. The fight gets some fantastic double page layouts that showcase why the art team on the book are a great choice to bring this particular story to life.

Joshua Williamson isn't just content to let the fight take centre stage and take it easy for the rest of the issue though, as the plot moves forward in some important ways. The other members of the Superman Family get some stuff to do, we discover more back story, and one of my favourite characters from L.E.G.I.O.N. makes his appearance, and I'd totally forgotten he was a part of the story so it was nice to see him pop up again. The issue ends with the introduction of the Brainiac Queen, the new thing that has been teased for a while now, and those expecting a female version of Brainiac and that's all will be pleasantly surprised, as the Queen very quickly becomes a scary new threat in relatively short time on the page. With the story moving forward at this pace, and still managing to get some great character moments into things too I can't wait to see what the rest of the upcoming chapters do. The Warworld Saga was definitely a high point for Superman fans in recent times, and this story definitely feels like it's going to be standing alongside it as a modern classic. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider #1

Writer: Stephanie Phillips, Artist: Federica Mancin, Colourist:
Nolan Woodard, Matt Milla, Letterer: Ariana Maher

One of the appeals of the Spider-Gwen/Spider Woman/Ghost Spider comics has been that her world has made for an interesting new place to set stories in. She has her own villains, some of which are new twists on those that we know, she has unique relationships, and an interesting supporting cast of characters. Unfortunately, with her having become a more popular character people have been calling for her to interact with the 616 characters more and more. As such, she's come into that universe multiple times for team ups and events, but now she's getting the Miles Morales treatment as this new series brings her to 616, 'permanently'.

The reason for her coming into the main Marvel universe is a major plot point in this new series it seems, but the first issue shrouds it in a lot of secrecy, with OB from the TVA popping up to tell her it's important that she be there, but that she can't do anything super heroic or talk to any other heroes. The why's aren't brought up, yet the situation is spoken with with such weight that I couldn't help but feel like I'd missed something important. The issue tries it's best to draw you in, but it does feel like you've accidentally picked up issue eight of a series rather than the opening chapter. This, coupled with the loss of the world and characters that readers have come to like (including the beginning of a much anticipated queer relationship for the hero) makes the issue feel very flat.

The art is decent, and it's always nice to see Gwen doing her hero thing, no matter the setting, as she's got a fantastic design. But there are some moments where things feel a little off in places, with the shape and look of faces not always matching even on the same page. Spider-Gwen is a great character, with a huge fanbase, but I can't help but feel that bringing her into the 616 universe is only going to harm her in the long run; and this lacklustre first issue doesn't dissuade from that feeling. ⭐⭐⭐

Nightwing #114

Writer: Tom Taylor, Artist: Bruno Redondo, Colourist: Adriano
Lucas, Letterer: Wes Abbott

Tom Taylor has been laying the groundwork for the final story in his run for a while, with the villain Heartless having been around, quietly plotting and building his strength, since the very beginning. Now, finally, it seems like he's ready to make his move and destroy everything that Dick Grayson holds dear. We open with a scene of a bearded Dick in the mountains, trekking through the snow, accompanied by Haley. Jumping back in time, we pick up with Dick as he travels to his old home of Gotham. Having helped to change Bludhaven for the better with Alfred's inheritance, Dick has decided that Gotham needs the same. We get a scene that shows how imperfect vigilantes can sometimes be, with Dick assaulting a man stealing food, something that only reinforces the idea that perhaps the best way he can help people is by working within the light as Dick, rather than being Nightwing.

This brings us nicely to a benefit being thrown by Bruce, who's trying to get his rich Gotham friends to invest in the Alfred Pennyworth Foundation to bring its good work to Gotham. Unfortunately, this is where Heartless' plan comes into motion. Having seen him earlier in the issue, forcing a group of high level bosses and mobsters to work for him, it seems that the first step of his plan is to try and publicly smear Dick, making it look like the Foundation is taking dirty money from criminals. And that's about it, the issue ends somewhat abruptly as the fire alarm goes off. It definitely feels like the first part of an arc, and has no sense of resolution within itself as part of the issue.

Taylor's run has felt very interconnected throughout, and even the odd issue here and there that initially felt standalone, such as the entirely first person issue, is all part of the bigger whole that's coming into play here. Whilst this issue failed to grab me as much as pervious ones have I get the feeling that it'll read much better when collected in a trade. The art on the book is, as always for Nightwing, decent, with Redondo doing some pretty fun and interesting panel layouts. My only criticism with the art on this issue is in the depiction of Damian. Despite being up to Bruce's shoulders in other books here he's a couple foot shorter, and looks more like a mini-Bruce than himself. The pale skin tone doesn't help either, and is yet another instance of DC whitewashing the character in certain titles. ⭐⭐⭐

Union Jack The Ripper: Blood Hunt #1

Writer: Cavan Scott, Artist: Kev Walker, Belardino Brabo, Craig Yeung,
Colourist: Javier Tartaglia, Dee Cunniffe, Letterer: Travis Lanham

Union Jack The Ripper: Blood Hunt is easily one of the most British feeling Marvel books that I think I've ever read. Set in Manchester as the world falls into the darkness and chaos of the vampire assault on the world, the issue opens with a group of survivors just trying to find a way out of the monster filled city. Straight away I knew that British people were working on the book, as the backgrounds were filled with the kind of tiny details that made the place instantly look like a British location, even down to the type of paving slabs you find beside pelican crossings. This was later confirmed when a character casually mentions a Greggs. Not the kind of thing that I expect from a Marvel book, but a delightful surprise.

The book sees our small group of survivors about to be killed when Union Jack arrives on the scene. Less concerned with saving people than he is with killing any vampire that he can find, Jack is a bit of a dick here, and it creates a fun dynamic between him and the others. Where the other tie in's feel more like a super hero book that's trying its hand at horror, this title feels like an actual horror book. It has that look and feel of indie horror series, from both the writing and the art, and because of that it's maybe meeting the assignment better than the other titles in the Blood Hunt event.

The art is particularly good, and definitely helps with the grim and gritty feel of the book. Things are a little less clean than you expect from a Marvel book, and again it feels closer to an indie horror series than it does a big two event book. The vampire designs are much more monstrous than in other titles, and the art sells the idea that this could be the end of the world. With the big name heroes in New York fighting to save the world this series instead gives readers a fight for survival, making it a hidden gem of the event for sure. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Catwoman #65

Writer: Tini Howard, Artist: Ivan Shavrin, Colourist: Ivan Shavrin,
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni

After crashing to earth in the experimental space plane at the end of the last issue it looks like Catwoman may have used up all of her nine lives, and the fact that we open with the villains discussing not being able to find her body in the wreckage seems to hint that perhaps this time there was nothing left of the thief to come back to life. Selina, still dead, finds herself in Bast's realm, where the goddess gives our thieving anti-hero a bit of a talking down to, complaining about her having used up her extra lives in selfish, reckless ways. Giving her one last chance, the goddess sends Selina back, with her waking up in a freezer in a weird facility. Now she will have to figure out where she is, and find a way of escaping. However, the facility is a lot more than it first appears to be.

One of the things that I noticed straight away about this issue is the change in artist, with Ivan Shavrin coming on board to both draw and colour the issue. I couldn't be happier with the change. Whilst there was nothing wrong with the previous art teams on this arc, they were all fairly standard looking, with nothing that really made them stand out. Shavrin, on the other hand, has a style that makes this issue instantly different. It's much more cartoonish and stylised, and it made the issue much more fun to read for me. There have been ups and downs with this current arc, and some of the issues have definitely dragged in places, but this kind of art style makes even some of the more dull moments have a sense of life and fun to them. Plus, the panel of the giant angry cat god holding Selina up and yelling at her might be my favourite panel of any comic this week; I absolutely loved it. Catwoman is doing a lot of weirder things with this story, and this issue seems to have embraced that weirdness a little bit more, and it feels like we're moving away from telling the same kinds of stories over and over again to do something a little bit more fun. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ultimate Black Panther #4

Writer: Bryan Hill, Artist: Stefano Caselli, Colourist: David Curiel,
Letterer: Cory Petit

Perhaps it's because the 616 Black Panther has such a different status quo at the moment, but the Ultimate version of the character feels like the least unusual series in the Ultimate line. The smaller details are different, such as who T'Challa is married to, his nation being at war, and interpersonal relationships being set up differently, but he's still king of Wakanda, and he's still Black Panther, and compared to other titles in the 6160 universe he's much more recognisable. And that brings a certain level of comfort to the book. It definitely feels like reading a Black Panther book, with the same focus on the politics and culture of Wakanda that readers have come to expect.

This issue opens with Queen Okoye having to reassure the citizens of Wakanda that their king is safe and well, despite him having vanished weeks before. We get to see some of the strain between Okoye and Shuri as they discuss T'Challa's absence, and Ra and Konshu start to plot their next moves, even sending an assassin to try to kill the queen. Thankfully, T'Challa returns and is able to help stop the assassin, alongside Shuri. He's also brought with him his new, trusted allies, Storm and Killmonger, who he calls his most trusted friends; forming an inner circle of trust along with his wife and sister.

Things definitely feel like they've started moving now, and it seems like we're getting to understand a little more about this conflict, the places where the enemy have infiltrated, and some much needed characterisation for the main villains. There's a part of me that can't help by question if T'Challa has been duped, and if Killmonger is going to turn out to be a villain or not, but that's my experience with the character in other universes colouring my experience, as there's nothing here to really hint at that. As it is, we're set for a series that feels like it's combining super heroics with an espionage thriller, and it's a great combo. ⭐⭐⭐

Blood Hunt #2

Writer: Jed MacKay, Artist: Pepe Larraz, Colourist: Marte Gracia,
Letterer: Cory Petit

Following on from the devastating first strike from the vampires, our heroes are struggling to survive and must come together with unlikely allies in their mission to save the world from destruction. The first issue of Blood Hunt very much felt like it was designed for shock value, especially with the red band version (which must be out of canon as no other comic has shown Doctor Strange cut in half) throwing more gore and destruction onto the page. This issue, however seems to roll back on the big shocking moments, apart from a final page reveal that was kind of obvious if you were paying attention to the first issue.

The issue mainly follows Jed MacKay's favourite characters, having Tigra, Miles Morales Spidey, and Hunters Moon being the main focus of the issue as the three of them try to make their way through a vampire infested city to Doctor Strange, who they assume is going to be working on a solution. Whilst they're right, he's in a pretty poor condition after the last issue and the previous issue of Doctor Strange. Meanwhile, the Blood Coven are sent after Blade's main targets, Dracula and Brielle, who come under attack from the gang of super vamps. Thankfully, the surviving Avengers find them, and for a brief moment are able to drive the Coven off with the return of a small piece of the sun. This group also heads to Strange, where Brielle's presence seems to activate Miles, who's a sleeper vampire. This final page reveal doesn't really come as too much of a surprise as Blade and Miles had a scene together in the first issue, and Miles still being alive clearly means that something untoward has happened. Despite it not being that big of a shock, the way in which his transformation happens is drawn well enough that it still feels like a big moment.

The art on the book is great, but that's what you come to expect from Pepe Larraz. The characters look great, and you can feel the tiredness and desperation on them, you can see them getting worn down by how terrible things have become. Yet there are also some moments of triumph too, and the Avengers coming back and managing to come out on top is a great high after the first issue events. Blood Hunt still feels like it's just getting started, and if it carries on with this quality it's going to end up being a rather enjoyable, if violent little event. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Green Lantern: War Journal #9

Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Artist: Montos, Colourist: Adriano
Lucas, Letterer: Dave Sharpe

When this series and the main Green Lantern title began I wasn't sure what to expect. I'd not really found much to like in recent runs, and the status quo for GL with the United Planets didn't excite me at all. However, I really love where things are at the moment. As Hal and the other Earth Lanterns deal with fixing the Corp, John is dealing with ancient eldritch powers tied to the origins of the Corps and the Guardians; giving readers two vastly different series that work wonderfully well together. After the last issue saw John taken away by the Radiant Dead, Lantern Shepherd uses the Book of Oa (kept in the back of Guy Gardner's closet) to try and find information that can help him save John.

This allows us to dive deep into the history of the Radiant Dead, and the Dark Star, revealing another hidden chapter of the Guardian's history. The Guardians having multiple shady secret things in their past that come back to bite the Lanterns is something that has become a bit of a joke, but I do kind of love it. It's a part of the series, it fits with who the Guardians are, and it does feel like it enriches the lore every time it's done. I'd love to see DC release a Book of Oa which is just a breakdown of every shitty thing the Guardians have ever done, but the cost would be quite high as it'd be a big book.

Whilst we dive into the history, John and the others stuck in the Dark Star dimension are having to fight against the evil forces there, and the Ellie construct is still protecting John's mother from her illness, and the Radiant Dead trying to get to her. The story is definitely a big draw for this series, and this is a great series that I expect that people will talk about whenever John Stewart gets brought up as one of his best, but another thing that makes this title a must read is the art by Montos. The issues have looked fantastic, particularly the way the Radiant Dead are drawn. This does not look like your average Green Lantern book, and its uniqueness is fantastic. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Batman/Superman: World's Finest #27

Writer: Mark Waid, Artist: Dan Mora, Travis Mercer, Colourist:
Tamra Bonvillain, Letterer: Steve Wands

Batman/Superman: World's Finest is easily one of the best, if not the best, comic being produced by DC at the moment. It's consistently fantastic in terms of both writing and art, and the way in which Mark Waid twists the story in new and interesting directions, just doing things because they're fun and make a good story, is a genuine delight. And this issue really encapsulates that. With the various villain imps having crossed over into the real world to team up with the villains they idolise, the world is on the brink. The villains are overpowering the heroes, and Batman, Superman, and Robin are trapped in a wall, unable to help. The only people who stand a chance at turning the tide of Bat Mite and Mr Mxyzptlk, who come up with a rather unique plan.

The plan might just be my favourite thing this series has done to date, as Mxyzptlk makes use of all of the weird Golden Age crap that Jimmy Olsen went through, by drawing out all of his transformations, monster forms, and super hero identities, and making them into separate beings that form the Olsen Squad. The way in which Waid pays tribute to these classic comics, creates something new, adds to the history of the DC Universe, and makes a truly, wonderfully enjoyable comic is nothing short of phenomenal and makes him one of the best comic writers around.

It also helps that he'd backed up by an incredibly art team. The issue looks fantastic, with Mora delivering jaw dropping moments and blending modern art with classic designs in ways that make things from the 40's and 50's feel old and silly, yet manages to make them work in this setting. The issue is also joined by Travis Mercer, who draws some unique moments in the issue that evoke the look and feel of the Super Friends television series. But again, I'm not sure if anything in this issue looks as good as the Olsen Squad. With a final page that had me laughing out loud, and super excited for the next issue, I can't help but give this top marks and name it my comic of the week. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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When Among Crows by Veronica Roth - Book Review

 

'We bear the sword, and we bear the pain of the sword. Pain is Dymitr’s calling. His family is one in a long line of hunters who sacrifice their souls to slay monsters. Now he’s tasked with a deadly mission: find the legendary witch Baba Jaga. To reach her, Dymitr must ally with the ones he’s sworn to kill. 

'Pain is Ala’s inheritance. A fear-eating zmora with little left to lose, Ala awaits death from the curse she carries. When Dymitr offers her a cure in exchange for her help, she has no choice but to agree. Together they must fight against time and the wrath of the Chicago underworld. But Dymitr’s secrets—and his true motives—may be the thing that actually destroys them.'

Having shot to fame and recognition for her dystopian future series, Divergent, Veronica Roth is not incorporating the stories and flavours of older times into the modern day as she combines the myths and monsters of Polish history with the city of Chicago; creating a wonderfully engaging and interesting new world for readers to explore. 

When Among Crows tells the stories of three protagonists, Ala, Dymitr, and Niko, with the story cycling through each of them as narrators, giving the audience three unique yet interconnected perspectives on the story. Each of our three protagonists carries a burden, ones placed upon them by their families. These familial pressures force them into situations and lives that they don't really want to be living; and it's these burdens and the missions that they're sent on because of them, that bring the three of them together into an unlikely team. 

The dynamic between the main characters is enjoyable, and the ways that they interact and come together are a genuine highlight of the story. I love how much heart Dymitr has, and how caring a person he is, especially with his past. And Niko and Ala have some fantastic chemistry with some of the best scenes involving the two of them. The characters play off each other so well, especially for such a short read, and any fear I had that character development would be sacrificed to make way for story was unfounded, as the character moments in this novella often put some very long novels to shame for how well done it was; showcasing Roth's writing skills.

But, this is not just a book about people, it's also got monsters. Roth combines the creatures of Slavic folklore, such as the leshy, banshee, stryga, and Baba Jaga with the realism of modern day Chicago. Urban Fantasy is a popular genre, and the wonder of finding out a world of the magical and horrific exists hidden just below the surface appeals to a lot of reader; after all, who wouldn't want to accidentally stumble upon magic themselves? Here, however, Roth manages to blend this world in in less showy ways, and makes for a more subtle and downplayed kind of world.

This isn't a story where a whole other society lives just out of eyeshot, where the most outrageous and over the top events pass regular folks by; instead, this is a world that feels a lot more possible, where the extraordinary really seems to have to go out of its way to remain hidden. I loved the old cinema that shows old horror films that allows the creature that owns it to feed on human fear. The way in which the other integrates with our world is fantastic, and it's the moments like this that showcase the fact that Roth has put a great deal of thought into the creation of this world.

There is a lot about this book that I'd love to dive into more, more that I can see myself talking about for hours (I haven't even touched upon the Holy Order that hunts monsters that's inspired by Christian imperialism and history) but with the book only being a short read I'm a little afraid of going too in depth and spoiling something. This is a book that you should definitely discover on your own, and the less you know about it going in the more delightful your discovery of things will be. If you're looking for an emotional and moving story, with an amazing world you'll want to get lost in, in a small and gorgeous package When Among Crows is the book for you. 

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Marvel Studios’ The Infinity Saga – Captain America The First Avenger: The Art of the Movie by Matthew K. Manning – Book Review

 

Just as the Marvel Cinematic Universe stopped for no one and one project followed another the fourth entry in the absolutely gorgeous Infinity Saga Art Book series is already hitting shelves. Focusing on the first Captain America movie, this volume takes readers back to the World War Two, to the birth of an icon, and the emergence of an organisation that would plague the MCU for decades to come.

As with the previous books, this volume opens with an introduction and dive into the characters history on the comic page. However, because Captain America is one of the oldest characters in the Marvel catalogue, and because of the era in which he was created, things go a little more in depth this time around, and we also touch upon world events; namely, World War Two. Captain America is intrinsically linked with this time in American history, and whilst certain details in Cap's life can shift and change his origin in this time period is cemented in stone, and is perhaps the only comic hero whose birth won't ever shift with moving timelines. Featuring some artwork from the time, artwork that isn't connected to Cap, but shows the patriotic wartime propaganda art of the era that would influence his creation, it's one of the more interesting character introductions in the series and I would happily read a book along these lines, delving into the creation of the character and the era in which he debuted. 

After our introduction to the character on the page we make the leap to the screen, and our first chapter deals with the important aspect of bringing the character to life. Out of the heroes we've seen in this series so far Captain America is perhaps the most difficult one to do this with. Iron Man is a man in armour, and the audience will pretty much buy any kind of mechanical suit. Thor is a god from myth, so almost anything goes there. But Captain America is a soldier from one of the most well known and most documented conflicts in history. His look has to work in that area, which isn't an easy thing to do with someone wearing a red, white, and blue costume. The fact that the chapter opens with his USO show costume, the most gloriously comic accurate look for the character is the best way to start things, treating the reader to a look at the wonderfully bright and silly costume that might still be my favourite of the character in the movie.

However, this is not a combat suit, and from here we see the various design iterations for getting Cap of the stage and onto the battlefield. Making a suit that feels period accurate, isn't too ridiculous or out of place, and is still very much Captain America is a very tight line to walk, but taking inspiration from Ed Brubaker comics, or the Ultimates version of the character, we can see some very interesting designs. The book shows that unlike some of the other MCU characters it seems like Cap had a very clear path very early on, and the designs were much more focused on a single style, with slight variations in each of the ones shown here. It's still interesting to look at the tiny changes, like how much blue is on the sides of his helmet, and see how even that changes the entire flavour of the costume. 

Whilst Cap seems to have been easier for the team to get to a final design on his nemesis, Red Skull definitely has some more varied and shocking designs, and the next chapter deals with him in depth. Much like the film, the chapter opens not with Red Skull, but with his mission, and we get looks at his quest to retrieve the Cosmic Cube and the ancient church his troops assault. With this being a location we only see briefly, and at night, in the film it's great to see more of it here and to learn more of the design process that was involved. But, following this we look at the man himself. Some of the alternate costume designs for him are fantastic, and veer away from the more traditional Nazi look whilst still evoking that feel. But it's the designs for the face that are the showstopper here. Whilst the film went for a very smooth, almost clean look to him some of the rejected designs were much darker and horrific in their ideas, featuring lipless teeth, scarring, missing chunks of flesh, and bone showing in certain places. It's a shame the film didn't go a little more along this route, as it' certainly would have made the character stand out a lot more.  

A large section of the book goes into Hydra, looking at the armour and weapons they use. Again, like Cap's suit this section seems to be having to juggle the realism of the era with the absurdity of concept of weapons powered by alien tech; but as with Caps suit the filmmakers seemed to have a pretty clear idea of what they wanted to begin with and stuck pretty close to that theme. Whilst that part of the book doesn't offer a huge variety in design, it does give you a closer look at things you might only have briefly seen in the movie. 

The rest of the book is divided between other, more grounded character designs, and location and tech used in the film. It seems like having settled on the designs for Cap and Red Skull the rest took their ques from this, and these designs mirror those feels well. The allied forces and Hydra also have pretty distinct looks and feels to them, and whilst they're very different they work well together, with the Allies having a much more grounded, real world flavour to them over Hydra's more fantastical side. These elements are reflected in every aspect of the rest of the book, with the heroes vehicles, weapons, and bases being a slightly heightened version of our own history, with locations that could be used in a historical piece. Meanwhile, Hydra has ridiculous cars, mountain bases straight out of a pulp story, and vehicles that make you cock your eyebrow as they push the line into being too silly an inclusion. The result is great on the screen, and the book showcases this all wonderfully, and helps to highlight just how stark these differences are.

Captain America: The First Avenger was definitely something of a gamble for the still relatively young MCU. It was taking viewers back in time, and trying to make something that straddled the line between realistic and recognisable, with the world of the comics. And whilst you can argue that perhaps it wasn't perfect, that it didn't embrace its source material as much as some of the movies that would come later, it still did an incredible job at marrying these things together. And this book showcases how a lot of that came from the visual design of the movie. Everything from costumes, to sets, vehicles, and weapons, all of it was carefully chosen, specifically designed, and made with a very careful attention to detail; and those that love seeing this kind of process, and enjoy understanding more about how these characters make the leap from page to screen are going to want to give this book a read. 

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China O’Brien I & II (1990) – Blu-ray Review

 

Originally published on Set The Tape

There are a number of big names that people will think of when they think of martial arts film stars, figures like Bruce Lee, Michelle Yeoh, Jet Li, and Jackie Chan, but one name that often seems to slip through the cracks, that I’ve seen people forget about quite often, is Cynthia Rothrock.

A world champion martial artist in several different styles, she is as talented and well trained in the field of fighting as any of the aforementioned names, yet her movies never quite seemed to get the recognition they deserved, despite her being a beloved figure within the martial arts film community. Now, however, Eureka Entertainment are giving people a chance to discover a couple of her more memorable movies with this new Blu-ray release of China O’Brien and China O’Brien II.

The movies chart the story of Lori ‘China’ O’Brien (Rothrock), a tough cop in the big city who teaches martial arts in her spare time. When China if forced to shoot an armed gang member during a fight, saving her friend in the process, she’s shaken when she learns that the person she killed was a young man. Quitting the force, she leaves and heads to Beaver Creek, her old sleepy hometown. Arriving in town, she finds her father, the local sheriff, barely keeping things together thanks to an organised criminal element that has worked its way into the background of Beaver Creek, changing the once quiet town into a seedy hotbed of crime. When China’s father is killed by the local crime lord she vows to bring him and his entire organisation down, helped along the way by her childhood crush Matt (Richard Norton), and Dakota (Keith Cooke), a young man looking for revenge for the death of his mother.

China O’Brien is unusual in that it’s a Golden Harvest production made outside of Hong Kong, and feels less like a Hong Kong film and more of an American action movie from the 1980s; something done by design. It’s possible to watch through China O’Brien and be completely unaware of its unique origins, thinking that it’s in fact some low budget US production. However, for those that know the Hong Kong movie sensibilities it’s not hard to see that it’s a Golden Harvest movie, thanks to the care and attention given to the action and the fights that was often lacking in comparison in many US made movies at the time.

The main reason for the westernisation of the film came from Golden Harvest feeling like Rothrock was the key to breaking into the US market, wanting to use the fact that she was an American actor to win over western audiences. They even brought in US director Robert Clouse, who had received acclaim for directing the hit Bruce Lee film Enter the Dragon. The result is a film that mixes together both its influences nicely, feeling very American thanks to its setting and cast, yet retaining all of the best elements of Hong Kong action. And that’s where the film, and its sequel, really shine through.

Whilst the story is pretty basic, the moments when the actors get to flex their fighting abilities is where the film goes from moderately enjoyable to thoroughly entertaining. Rothrock and Cooke in particular pull of some amazing moves, and are impressive throughout, elevating many of the scenes that they’re in, with Norton putting in some decent work throughout but ending up somewhat overshadowed by his co-stars. Cooke in particular stands out when you learn that the reason his character was given a broken hand in the movie, complete with weird home-made brace as seen in the below image, was that he was suffering with a broken hand in real life at the time. Despite this, not only does he still manage to perform all of his fight scenes, but as a result he ends up relying on kicks a lot more, resulting in some pretty great fight scenes across both movies.

Interestingly, the sequel was filmed at the same time as the first movie, and China O’Brien II picks up a few years after the first movie, showing China as her hometown’s new sheriff in a Beaver Creek that has never been better. However, when a group of Vietnam soldiers turned drug-runners and criminals arrive in town looking to get revenge on one of their own who sold them out to the authorities, it puts China and her team back into the crosshairs. This second story feels a little less thought out than the first, and the set pieces during the earlier parts of the film have a little less punch than the first movie; however, the final sequence of the film features some thoroughly ridiculous and over-the-top action and moments that means the film ends up being the weaker of the two, but still entertaining and memorable in its own right.

The new two disc set from Eureka features an audio commentary for each of the movies, with Asian film expert Frank Djeng on the sequel, whilst Mike Leeder and Arne Venema tackle the first film. Each commentary does things fairly differently, with Djeng going more into the history and impact of the film, as well as the careers of those involved, whilst Leeder and Venema take a more conversational approach, and – despite some casual ableism from them at one point – their commentary makes for some easy and entertaining listening. Alongside this are select scene commentaries by Cynthia Rothrock, and a new interview with her. There’s also a new interview with Keith Cooke, and another with Richard Norton that make for informative viewing. Author Leo Hunt and filmmaker James Mudge also get an interview each, where they discuss the movies. The new release also features a collector’s booklet that features some behind the scenes writing on the films.

It’s entirely possible that you could have missed many of the films in Rothrock’s career, and if that’ the case you’ve definitely missed out. Luckily, China O’Brien is a fantastic place to start, and this new set makes for a great time.

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Hellhound - Film Review

 

Revenge is a very strong motivator, and has become an easy go to for fiction. Everyone understands a revenge story, even if it's not an emotion they themselves have had. So when Hellhound begins with an ageing hitman being hired for one final job before his retirement to take revenge on someone's behalf it's a quick and easy in. 

Louis Mandylor plays Loreno, a man with violence in his past. Having killed his first person when he was just fourteen, he's no stranger to death. But, seeing an old friend having settled down into the quiet life it's something he wants for himself and decides that he's going to do one last assassination job, then head off into the sunset. He's hired to travel to Thailand, to find a woman and her boyfriend/pimp, and kill them. The two of them tricked an elderly businessman into signing over his expensive home to them before he 'jumped' off a balcony. Now his daughter wants them to pay in kind. 

Thus begins what should be a simple hunt and kill assignment for Loreno, however, when one of his targets manages to get away from him it begins a violent and bloody story that will rack up the bodies as Loreno becomes determined to finish the job.

The story in Hellhound is simple, with the few twists in the tale being neither too surprising, not too original. It follows a more simpler action formula from films from the 80's than it does more modern blockbusters, and for that it's fairly enjoyable. This isn't a film that's going to pull the rug on you part way through; it's an action movie about a hitman and that's very much what you get. The script is fairly simple and to the point, with the villains being quite arch and disgusting, whilst the heroes, killers themselves, discuss the morals of what they do and what god might think of them so that you know even though they murder people for money they feel a little bit bad about it.

Action is important for a film like this, and the violence in the film is fairly well done. The fights are choreographed well enough, and there are a few fancy camera tricks and moves during these moments that show that some degree of effort is being put into things and it's not just content to sit back and play it easy. that being said, there's nothing in the movie that really sticks out as too memorable, and the action scenes, whilst solid, aren't unique enough to really stick out in your memory.

The performances are fine, and quality does vary somewhat. This is a film without many real names attached to it, and whilst some of the cast do have long credits to their names they tend to be in smaller roles. As such, there's no real star draw for Hellhound and you're unlikely going to be coming to it thanks to an actor being in it. The performances we get are done well enough, and there's no real sense of anyone taking it easy or phoning it in; which is something that you can come across in lower budget movies.

Overall, Hellhound is a perfectly fine action B-movie. It's not going to become anyone's favourite film, and you're probably not going to remember it long after watching it; but whilst it's on your screen it'll keep your attention and will be entertaining enough to stop you from turning it off; which is a lot better than a lot of the cheaper movies today.

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Black Mask (1996) – Limited Edition Blu-ray Review

 

Originally published on Set The Tape

Whilst Hollywood wouldn’t see a big boom in comic book movies until the early 2000s, peaking with the current day explosion in the genre, other parts of the world have been quietly adapting their own comics to the big screen for decades, creating movies that have gone on to become cult classics in their own right.

One such movie is the Hong Kong sci-fi action film Black Mask, starring the world renowned Jet Li as the titular superhero fighting against his former comrades in order to protect his new life. And thanks to Eureka Entertainment, not only has it been brought to Blu-ray, but the new Limited Edition set includes multiple versions of the film, and is packed with extras that fans will adore.

The film stars Jet Li as Tsui Chik, a mild mannered librarian who enjoys a quiet life by day, but at night dons a mask and takes to the streets to fight crime in secret. It transpires that Chik was once part of a special group of soldiers, the 701 Squad, who went through specialised experiments to enhance their bodies. Unable to feel pain, possessing enhanced strength and reflexes, the members of the Squad became super-soldiers, capable of completing any mission they were given. However, thanks to being unable to feel pain, the members of the Squad would push themselves too hard, which could lead to their deaths.

The Squad was shelved, and many of the surviving members killed. Chik, however, escaped, and has made a new life for himself. However, his new life is threatened when Chik learns that the survivors of 701 Squad, led by his former commander, have gone rogue. Using their abilities to brutally kill crime lords and drug dealers, they’ve put the city, and Chik’s new friends, at risk. Now Chik must face his past in order to save his future.

Adapted from the comic series of the same name by Pang Chi-ming and Li Chi-tak, the central character takes inspiration from Kato from The Green Hornet, and Li’s look in the movie will instantly bring to mind Bruce Lee in the iconic role. Heavily adapted, the film is quite different from the source material, choosing to try to appeal to what was popular in Hong Kong cinema at the time rather than creating a faithful interpretation. Despite this, the film still manages to work well, and ends up being an entertaining superhero story in its own right. It helps that the film doesn’t take itself too seriously, and isn’t focused on staying in the realms of reality. There’s a rollerblade fight at one point; make of that what you will.

The film feels like a comic book in some of the best ways. The action is bombastic and over-the-top, with huge set pieces, ridiculous effects, and huge explosions all over the place. It embraces the silliness of comics, throwing in laser guns, scenes where huge rainstorms happen just to make for a cool fight environment, and sets that are huge and gothic that don’t make sense in the world it’s set in but it looks cool in the moment so we let it slide. Black Mask is perhaps best described as style over substance, where the look of the film and the action carry it through thanks to a plot that doesn’t quite hold together.

One of the reasons that people have struggled with the plot of Black Mask over the years is that there are multiple versions of the film, released in different countries, with bootleg and pirate versions being shared around that further muddy the waters as to which version is the right one. The multiple versions of Black Mask was one of the few things that I knew about this film going in.

So which version does this new Limited Edition set come with? All three. Included across this two disc set are the Hong Kong, Taiwanese, and US versions of the film, each one giving a slightly different experience, which definitely provides a reason to give all three a go. For the most complete version, however, the new set includes a fourth way to watch: the extended, complete version of the movie that mixed all of the unique pieces together into one ultimate version of Black Mask.

Alongside these four versions of the film the discs are packed with extra features, with an audio commentary for the Hong Kong version with Frank Djeng who goes into the history of superhero films and comic book adaptations in Hong Kong cinema that makes for fascinating listening, whilst the US edition features Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, who have featured on a number of Eureka commentaries before and stick to their established formula. There’s also an archival making of featurette; a new interview with stunt man Mike Lambert, who goes into what it’s like working on a Hong Kong movie as opposed to a US shoot; a new interview with film critic Andrew Heskins, who talks about the film; and a new interview with author Leon Hunt who goes into the career of Jet Li.

For those who are fans of the film and who want to see it in a more complete version, or who want to see the various other presentations, this is the release of the film that you’ve been waiting for. It’s also a great set for those who want to see a different take on the superhero genre, or for fans of Jet Li who might want to check out one of his more memorable projects. Whether you’re new to Black Mask or an old fan, Eureka have provided a great addition to your collection.

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City of the Undead: A Zombicide Black Plague Novel by CL Werner - Book Review

 

'Witch Hunter Helchen mourns her dear friend, one of many heroes The Black Plague has sent to their grave as it consumes the kingdom. Yet she is determined to save what remains of humanity. Helchen and her companions travel to the labyrinthine canals of Zanice to obtain magical resources that would change the course of the zombie plague. Horrendous swaths of the undead mark their journey, and the companions are pursued relentlessly by necromantic forces of evil. When they discover a friend turned foe, Helchen must decide if all zombies are monsters… or if a new darkness is taking shape across the land.'

The Black Plague novels have been one of my favourite reads in the Zombicide line. I've always had a liking for fantasy, and as an avid D&D player I can't help but view a story like this through the lens of what would make for a good game. And that's perhaps one of the things I like most about this series, it doesn't do epic fantasy, its not worried about political dealings, kingdoms at war, or world altering quests. For the most part its a group of people who'd never normally talk to each other, let alone be friends and allies, fighting just to survive. It's a very small kind of story, even if this group of heroes are fighting to save a city.

Having travelled to the island lair of a wizard in the last volume, Isle of the Undead, our heroes have recovered an ancient artefact that can destroy the undead in vast swathes. However, the victory was bittersweet as they lost their friend Alaric von Merts, who gave his life killing the dragon that had been plaguing them across the island. Their mission was a success, though, and it seems not a moment too soon as the group arrive at Korbara, one of the last holdouts against the zombie plague, as a zombie assault is about to overwhelm the defences. Using the artefact to destroy the zombies, the monastery is saved; but the artefacts power is running out. 

With it being their only real defence against the armies of the infected, a solution needs to be found. Helchen and the rest of her team are asked to travel to the city of Zanice, where an archive may hold the information that will allow them to recharge the weapon. Accompanied by some new allies, including a sorcerer, and an untrustworthy ranger, the group heads to the canalled city in hopes of finding answers. However, little do they know that the evil necromancer Gogol is still on their trail, and that he has not only resurrected the dragon Flamefang to his cause, but has also turned their friend Alaric into a new kind of zombie, one who can think, who is aware of who he is, but is doomed to obey his master. Set on making the group suffer, Gogol sets out after them with revenge in mind. 

The third volume in the Black Plague series might be my favourite in the set so far, but at the same time do I have some bones to pick with author CL Werner. By now I've come to really care for the core group of survivors that make up Helchen's team (her having become the de facto leader with the loss of Alaric). The characters that have been around since the first book are some of my favourites, and whilst I like the new characters that become part of the group along their journey it's these book one characters that I love the most. So seeing them suffer as much as they do this book really upsets me; even if it is good storytelling.

A big part of the suffering that they go through this book is thanks to the new condition that Alaric finds himself in. Brought back from the dead, able to think and feel as he once did, but forced to follow the orders of his most hated enemy, it's easy to say that Alaric suffers a lot this time round. However, his mere presence also brings pain to his friends. Gaiseric, a character who began the series with an antagonistic relationship with Alaric, is one of the characters to seems to take his friends reappearance the worst. Their bond had become so strong, their friendship so important to him, that Gaiseric experiences a trauma reaction to Alaric's return. It's incredibly sad at times, and makes for some of the best interpersonal drama in the series to date. 

Zanice also makes for an interesting new location. As the name might suggest, it's based upon Venice, and the confined walkways, the canals that make up most of the streets, and the tightly packed buildings make for some interesting and tense moments as the team must deal with the shuffling undead. There are a number of set-pieces that stand out as some of the more interesting fights and locations in the series yet, and much of the fun of these moments comes down to the city limiting what the heroes can do, or forcing them into a tough situation. 

Whilst the story is incredibly simple when boiled down to its base elements (it's a fetch quest) the journey along the way makes for a truly engaging read. And slight spoilers, the loss of much loved characters also helps to make this a book that you don't want to put down. There were times reading that I was begging the book not to do what it was doing, where I was left feeling sad, where the despair that the characters were feeling was shared by me. It's perhaps the bloodiest book in the series, with the highest body count for the living. If you love this series you're going to love this book, but it's also going to hurt you.

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Weekly Comics Review - 1st May 2024

 

I take a look at a selection of this weeks comic releases. This week I read and review Blood Hunt, Nightwing Annual, Get Fury, X-Men, and more!

Blood Hunt #1

Writer: Jed MacKay, Artist: Pepe Larraz, Colourist: Marte Gracia, 

Letterer: Cory Petit

Vampire events are always a bit of fun within comics, especially when it's non-horror based characters having to deal with them. Whether it's X-Men, or the entire DC universe, there's a level of enjoyment of seeing your favourite costumed heroes fighting bloodsuckers; and this time it's the turn of the Marvel universe as a new global event begins with Blood Hunt issue one. Things kick off when every character with a connection to Darkforce is turned into a gateway to those energies, and streams of shadow burst from them, blocking out the sun. This sets off a global assault from thousands of vampires, who attack anyone they find. The Avengers spring into action, but the attack is so widespread that they're unable to make much difference. When Blade calls them back to their base, however, they fall prey to a new group of super vamps, the Bloodcoven. 

This is a pretty decent start to the event, especially as it just jumps straight in and hits the ground running. There's hints that the questions as to what's happening and why will be answered later, but for now we're having to just deal with the shock and violence of the initial vampire attack. And the issue seems to showcase the brutality of the assault by telling you how long it's been going on, with each character we check in on getting a little clock that tells us when the sun went out. The scale of the fall of the world, and the level of destruction in such a short time is shocking for sure, and hammers home how bad things might get in this event. The Bloodcoven also sell the severity of things, as these fantastically designed new characters are able to make quick work of the Avengers, even taking down a god. Pepe Larraz has done stellar work in their designs and his art across the whole issue is really nice.

My only real gripe with the event is the final page reveal (spoilers ahead), though this was something that I thought the issue definitely telegraphed. The leader of the entire assault, the one commanding the global army of vampires, is Blade. Having just finished reading the last Blade series his sudden shift to global conqueror feels like it's come out of nowhere. Blade fought hard to stop a global conqueror, and now has become one himself. I'm hoping there's a decent explanation for this, as at the moment it feels like perhaps Jed MacKay simply just ignored what's come before for the character. I'm sure later issues will address this, however.  ⭐⭐⭐

Get Fury #1

Writer: Garth Ennis, Penciller: Jacen Burrows, Inker: Guillermo Ortego, 

Colourist: Nolan Woodard, Letterer: Rob Steen

I've not read much of the Punisher Max universe, I think just a single one shot issue (though I very much loved that issue), and as such I was interested to see a little bit more of what it's like. I'd heard that it's incredibly violent and disturbing, which considering Garth Ennis is the writer that doesn't come as much surprise. However, I was still incredibly taken aback by some of the stuff in the first issue of this three part series. The basic plot is that during the Vietnam War, Colonel Nick Fury is captured by the enemy and is going to be taken to a facility where he'll be tortured for information. Considering the level of info that Fury has the US cannot allow this to happen. As there's no way to save him they're instead sending one of their best snipers to kill him before he can give up any info, that sniper being Frank Castle.

Most of this first issue is spent on this set-up, with the first several pages just showing a bit of the day to day life for Frank and his unit in Vietnam. The rest of the issue deals with him getting his mission, and Fury being sold to the Viet Cong. It's this latter part that contains the Max universe's famous ultra violence and gore. Captured alongside two other soldiers, soldiers who aren't worth anything to the VC, the book very quickly shows the brutality of the enemy force by dispatching them in brutal, nightmarish ways that are some of the most uncomfortable pages in a comic I've ever read. 

The books art team really come into their own in this moment too. With nothing much more than people standing around talking to draw for the rest of the issue it's the deaths of these two soldiers that's the artistic stand out of the issue. The moment is depicted in gruesome detail, with the art leaving very little to the imagination. With this only being the first issue and things likely escalating from here I'm actually kind of worried about what we might see going forwards. Definitely not a book for the weakhearted, containing disgusting moments, awful language, and a degree of violence that will test readers, this feels like a distillation of everything I'd been told the Punisher Max books have been. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Superman: House of Brainiac Special #1

Writer: Joshua Williamson, Mark Russell, Artist: Edwin Galmon, 
Steve Pugh, Fico Ossio, Colourist: Edwin Galmon, Jordie Bellaire, 
Rex Lokus, Letterer: Dave Sharpe, Dave Sharpe

House of Brainiac has been an enjoyable read so far, with the Superman event having been slowly teased for several months with the titular villain popping up occasionally in the background. With Superman off world, trying to get his family back from their imprisonment by the monstrous Brainiac, having teamed up with Lobo, the stage is set for exciting developments. Sadly, whilst this issue is great, none of that really happens here, as this ends up being more of a between chapter that fills in some of the background details of the event itself. 

The special consists of three stories, the first of which details the history of Brainiac and the planet Czarnia, and shows how he came to have a city of monstrous, violent Czarnians in his possession. For those that have been crying out that Lobo was supposed to be an outlier, and that his people aren't like him in response to an army of Lobo-like people this issue does clear that up a lot, and explains away who these people are. It's a decent attempt to clear away continuity issues, and it definitely adds to Brainiacs history in interesting ways too. The second story almost feels like it should have been featured in Action Comics when it was doing three stories per issue, as it feels almost completely disconnected from the House of Brainiac story, and with a slight line change or two here and there it could be set any time. The story focuses on Perry White, and his bid to become mayor of Metropolis, going up against a right wing bigot who's leading in the polls and wants to get rid of the city's alien population. It's a decent story, and I had a lot of enjoyment reading it, but it does feel a little out of place here and I wonder why it was included in this special. The third and final story has the big developments, revealing who the Council of Light who's been helping Amanda Waller really is, and setting the stage for a new villain to enter the story.

The art throughout the issue is decent, and whilst each of the stories have their own feel none of the art styles are too drastically different from each other to feel out of place. The middle story, the Perry White one, is the most different from the other two, and only helps to reinforce the out of place nature of it. The first and final story both feature some big moments, and the art teams showcase them in some pretty awesome ways, creating a few pages that are going to stick in readers minds. Overall, this was a decent issue, one that gives readers some needed context and backstory that doesn't have to bog down the main story now, allowing the other issues to go and have fun without having to fit this in there. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

X-Men #34

Writer: Gerry Duggan, Artist: Joshua Cassara, Colourist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.,

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Most of Orchis has fallen, with the AI behind the organisation having turned on the humans and revealed their true hand. With most of the leadership gone the only real threat left to deal with outside of the AI plot is M.O.D.O.K., and it falls to a handful of X-Men to deal with him and his ability to turn human Orchis agents into hulking monsters. Synch, Wolverine (Laura), Firestar, and Ms Marvel take on the monstrosity, and we get some nice character moments thrown in too. With the death of Talon a few issues ago we get time for Synch and Laura to show that things are still cool between them, and a point is made that despite the darkness the X-Men are in, and despite so many of the heroes having to turn to killing their enemies there's still light to be found in characters like Ms Marvel, and that that's worth protecting.

Elsewhere, Kitty breaks into an Orchis facility to save Caliban, who she needs to lead her to Charles Xavier, who has switched sides and is working with the AI to protect mutants. The Charles situation is tricky, and whilst the mutants in the white hot room know that Charles is spinning a number of plates and is doing all this to stop the enemy it seems like the mutants on Earth don't know this. Which means we've got characters like Kitty and Logan ready to go kill Xavier. And this is the breaking point for Kitty. Whilst I cheered the issue after the Hellfire Gala where she unleashed herself upon Orchis and killed their soldiers in brutal fashion it seems all the death and killing has finally become too much for her, and she's ready to walk away from everything one the fight is done.

The art on this issue is suitably bloody and violent in places, and the scene in which M.O.D.O.K. is getting his face blown away, or the moments where Orchis agents are turning into monsters are suitably body horror that it makes the issue feel gross at times and sells the brutality of the fight the mutants have ahead of them. With the next issue being the big 700th, and the Krakoan Era very nearly done it's something of a bittersweet issue. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Invincible Iron Man #18

Writer: Gerry Duggan, Penciller: Creees Lee, Inker: Walden Wong,

Colourist: Bryan Valenza, Letterer: Joe Caramagna

This has been the first Iron Man series I've read as it's been coming out issue by issue, and whilst I'll admit that it's been chiefly due to it being a major tie-in to the X-Men stuff (and I've come ton think of it as an X book) I have been enjoying it for the most part. However, with this issue finally bringing together Tony Stark, Magneto, and Feilong, I was somewhat disappointed that the much hyped up ending to this particular chapter kind of felt like a bit of a let down. Perhaps a lot of that was my own doing, being excited to see Tony and Feilong come to blows, but the issue doesn't really become more than just middle of the road for me.

Having destroyed a load of the Stark Sentinels with his new Sentinel Buster suit, things look dire as the suit as run out of power, and there are still multiple Sentinel factories churning out the death machines. Unable to fix the suit alone, Tony is luckily helped by a tech genius, and the Master of Magnetism. Magneto provides the power, whilst Tony and Feilong get the thing up and running. It's an okay development, and it does help the overall fight as the Sentinel factories finally get brought down, but it's never really more than just okay. Well, except for the moment that Feilong tells Magento 'You stole Mars from me', and Magneto doesn't even know who the man is; which was a laugh out loud moment that I absolutely adored.

Whilst the art on the issue is decent it has a distinctly different feel to the issues that have come before, and I noticed straight away that this wasn't the same art team. Having really enjoyed the art on the previous issues I was somewhat disappointed that the same team wouldn't be rounding out this particular story. With the X arc of the series coming to a close in issue twenty as Tony and Emma deal with their marriage the stage seems set for Iron Man to move on to a new adventure of his own. ⭐⭐⭐

Nightwing 2024 Annual #1

Writer: Travis Moore, Artist: Travis Moore, Colourist: Ivan Plascencia,
Alex Guimarães, Letterer: Travis Moore, Tamara Bonvillain

Having not read the Dick Grayson Spiral agent era, nor his time as Ric Grayson, and having gotten back into the title at the start of Tom Taylor's run my knowledge of that time is basic at best. I know the general beats and who a few of the characters were. I knew that Bea Bennet was Dick's girlfriend whilst he was Ric, and that she owned a bar. Since then it's been revealed that she's the daughter of a pirate king and is now basically the head of a secret pirate gang. This is fin, it's a bit silly, but that's what comics are. This annual, which focuses solely on Bea and her story, goes on to add several more layers and retcons to her character that honestly, kind of made me lose interest more than once.

The annual reveals that Bea began life as Destiny, the daughter of a powerful businesswoman who was assassinated one day whilst out at sea. Surviving a boat explosion, Bea lived on the streets for years before meeting her adoptive father and becoming a pirate, then she gets recruited to be a secret agent, then she learns her mother was also a secret agent and that's why she was killed, then she gets assigned to spy on Ric Grayson, and then.... This book packs in the plot twists and 'oh actually!' reveals that it almost feels like a parody of a spy comic rather than something serious. Everyone has ulterior motives, no one is really who they appear, every event has a secret string being pulled. And all this does is takes Bea from Dick's civilian romance who was also a pirate (bit of a stretch in itself but acceptable) into a super spy with a James Bond style back catalogue of adventures and history. I'd heard some grumblings from fans before reading this that the annual ruins the character for them, and I can see why. I've got barely any history with or attachment to Bea and I thought this was bad, so if readers liked her I can see this making them actively angry.

The only real saving grace for the book is that the art is very nice, and looks good throughout. There are some nice visual moments to be found in the book, with spy action and fights scattered throughout, with some super hero and villain cameos packed in too. But sadly the nice art can't make up for the ridiculous story. As this annual wasn't written by Taylor, who's been doing some great things with the character (the last two issues were top tier) I really hope that this isn't a sign of how Nightwing is going to go once he leaves the book. ⭐⭐

Weapon X-Men #3

Writer: Christos Gage, Artist: Yıldıray Çınar, Colourist: Nolan Woodard,
Letterer: Clayton Cowles

With the fall of Krakoa in full swing it's nice to be able to take a break from the doom and gloom that the 616 universe is going through and have some throwaway fun with some X-Men characters. Specifically five different version of Wolverine in this case. With the issue beginning with the assembled Wolverines waiting around for Phoenix to send them on their next attempt to stop Onslaught we get a chance for an origin story for Jane. Considering that she's the only Wolverine that's new to this series and doesn't have a pre-established backstory this was a great inclusion, and it was nice to see a gender inverted take on the Wolverine Origin story and how that would have played out. 

Following this the team get sent after the villain, and find them ready to talk and make a deal rather than fighting. It seems that Onslaught tried to beat death on this world, and accidentally made things worse and needs the Wolverines to fix it for them. This sets the group out on a mission that will see the five of them go up against a group of immortal villains. This has been an enjoyable series, with stakes that are high for the story yet aren't going to affect the main universe at all. It gives the creative team a chance to do some fun and unexpected things, and tell some unusual stories on vastly different and somewhat familiar worlds. As a fan of the original Exiles series it's very much giving those kinds of vibes, and because of that I can't really hate it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Star Wars: Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Special #1

Writer: Greg Pak, Artist: Will Sliney, Colourist: Guru-eFX,
Letterer: Joe Caramagna

When the first of the Star Wars prequels came out it was very much a divisive movie, with many old fans decrying it as terrible, badly written, full of things they didn't like, and complaining that it was aimed at kids. Complaints that would dog the whole prequel era, and now the sequel era too. But, as time has gone on, and with the addition of more content around that era, the prequels have become so beloved that fans are rushing to cinemas to celebrate the re-release of The Phantom Menace this weekend, and Marvel are printing an issue celebrating the movie.

Rather than re-telling the story of the film, this new issue deepens it, and tells a rather sweet story that happens in the background of scenes we already know. The book opens with Anakin having a dream of being a Jedi, coming to free the slaves on Tatooine. We see him in his life as a young slave, and how even then he was trying to help others; even managing to save a Tusken from being enslaved. After helping Qui-Gon and the others repair their ship he heads off to fulfil his destiny. From here we get a number of new scenes set around the ones we know, such as Anakin and Jar Jar talking after Anakin meets with the Jedi council, Anakin overhearing Obi-Wan telling Qui-Gon he thinks the boy might be dangerous, and the moment in which Anakin learns that Qui-Gon has been killed and Obi-Wan's promise to train him. These are moments that we know happen, we know Anakin learns of Qui-Gon's death, but seeing that scene feels like a wonderful addition to the lore.

The book expands the story we know, it adds these extra layers, and the end of the book returning to Tatooine, where we see the Tusken Anakin saved coming to Shmi to tell her of her sons kindness and heroics is an uplifting, heart-warming moment. Though it's also one shrouded in pain as we know Anakin's fate, we know he never frees the slaves, that his mother is killed, and that he slaughters innocent Tuskens rather than helping them like he does here. Anakin is doomed to a dark fate, but at least here we can celebrate the lightest moment of his life, the days before he steps onto the path that will see him being corrupted by Palpatine.

The art on the book is really good, capturing the likenesses of the characters well, without it having that horrible traced quality that a particular Star Wars and Marvel artist has (having previously drawn a number of Star Wars comics and ruining them). It's great to see new twists on scenes we know, and the new stuff, such as Anakin imagining himself as a Jedi hero, look particularly great too. With May 4th weekend here, and the anniversary year of the films release there's not going to be a better time to give this book a read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Incredible Hulk #12

Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Artist: Nic Klein, Colourist: Matthew
Wilson, Letterer: Cory Petit

With Charlie having been turned into a strange doll whilst she and Hulk were fighting a fallen angel in New Orleans, the Hulk is stuck with no way of turning his friend back to a living, breathing human. And whilst it's a long walk back to New York to ask Doctor Strange for help there's is somewhere a bit closer that Hulk might be able to find some mystically based assistance, Strange Academy. Arriving at the school and quite literally bursting his way inside, he's eventually subdued by Brother Voodoo, who after some examination of the porcelain doll, and a chat with a mystically chained Bruce Banner, agrees to help save Charlie. The only problem is, to do so Bruce will have to go into a pocket dimension to find a dangerous magic user to perform the spells needed.

Immortal Hulk has been lauded as one of the best runs on the character that there's ever been (quite rightly too), but I also think that folks who aren't reading the Phillip Kennedy Johnson run are doing themselves a disservice as this has been one of the most interesting, varied, and engaging Hulk series that I've ever read. Turning the Hulk into a horror character is a perfect twist on the expected formula, and each new branch on his journey has been better than the last with some unique and horrifying monsters to fight along the way. This issue, however, seems to be taking us in an interesting direction. Voodoo mentions that Hulk contains more than two personalities (which we know), and sends the Hulk we know here and Bruce into the pocket dimension to help Charlie. This allows the two characters to share a space with each other and actually interact. But also, on Earth, there's another Hulk around. It really feels like we've been set up for some great interactions and interesting revelations in the coming issues.

Perhaps one of the best parts of this issue, however, is the return of artist Nic Klein. Klien has really shone on this title, and his art has elevated the great writing into a series that's one of the more memorable and interesting ones on the shelf. Every time the Hulk transforms it's a thing of pure horror, and the way he creates his layouts is never dull. For example, this issue has multiple double page spreads for scenes that normally wouldn't be done that way; but it works so well in his style. This is definitely going to be remembered as one of the best Hulk runs ever made, and those who aren't reading it now are absolutely going to kick themselves later. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII #1

Writer: Joe Kelly, Artist: Adam Kubert, Colourist: Frank Martin,
Letterer: Joe Sabino

With a Deadpool and Wolverine team-up movie on the horizon and Marvel loving their movie synergy it's no surprise that we've got a new team-up comic hitting shelves around the same time. What is most surprising, however, is how at one point this story seems to get very X-Men Origins: Wolverine in its depiction of Deadpool. But don't worry, it's nowhere near that terrible. After receiving a call from a Vancouver cop friend, Wolverine heads to Canada to track down a serial killer. However, it appears that Deadpool has been hired for the same thing, and Logan comes across him and the enhanced killer fighting across the city. Working together (reluctantly on Logan's part), the two of them manage to kill the murderer.

From here the story does move on to include a weird cult, and we follow Logan as he does some globetrotting in order to find them, and the now missing Deadpool. However, the main thrust of the plot, what's going on and why, are kind of hazy still. The main villain of the issue is spouting complete gibberish throughout, and the ending with the cult and their transformation of Deadpool isn't explained yet. The result is an issue that will probably read fine when part of a larger whole, but for now just feels a little bit too lacking to really be all that interesting. That being said, some of the interactions between the two leads are good, and I liked the moments where Deadpool dropped the jokes to be serious, showing a varied and deeper version of the character.

The art on the issue looks decent, and the action is entertaining. However, the villain design feels kind of generic, and the new look that Deadpool gets towards the end of the issue feel like maybe it was a first pass and lacks any real flair of style, resulting in a 'oh that's just Wade in a biker helmet huh?' kind of reaction. The second issue might improve things for the series somewhat, but for now this feels squarely in the middle. ⭐⭐⭐

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