Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 3, 2024

MARVEL COMICS

OCT230937 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #252 FACSIMILE EDITION POSTER $8.99

OCT230761 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #41 $4.99

OCT230765 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #41 PASTROVICCHIO DISNEY WHAT IF VAR $4.99

OCT230766 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #41 PETE WOODS VAR $4.99

OCT230764 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #41 RYAN STEGMAN ROM VAR $4.99

OCT230938 AVENGERS TWILIGHT #1 ALEX ROSS POSTER $8.99

OCT230791 BEWARE THE PLANET OF THE APES #1 $4.99

OCT230794 BEWARE THE PLANET OF THE APES #1 BEN HARVEY VAR $4.99

OCT230795 BEWARE THE PLANET OF THE APES #1 SKOTTIE YOUNG VAR $4.99

SEP230927 BLACK PANTHER BY EWING TP VOL 01 REIGN AT DUSK $17.99

OCT230767 CAPTAIN AMERICA #5 $4.99

OCT230768 CAPTAIN AMERICA #5 JAN BAZALDUA STORMBREAKERS VAR $4.99

OCT230769 CAPTAIN AMERICA #5 RUGG WOLVERINE WOLVERINE WOLVERINE VAR $4.99

SEP230915 CLOBBERIN TIME TP $15.99

JUN231089 DAREDEVIL BY WAID SAMNEE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 DM VAR NEW PTG $100.00

JUN231088 DAREDEVIL BY WAID SAMNEE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 NEW PTG $100.00

OCT230771 DOCTOR STRANGE #11 $3.99

OCT230772 DOCTOR STRANGE #11 EJ SU WOLVERINE WOLVERINE WOLVERINE VAR $3.99

OCT230774 FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X #1 $5.99

OCT230780 FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X #1 ARTGERM MAGIK VAR $5.99

OCT230782 FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X #1 ASRAR FAREWELL KRAKOA VAR $5.99

OCT230778 FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X #1 INHYUK LEE VAR $5.99

OCT230781 FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X #1 MARK BROOKS CONNECT VAR $5.99

OCT230779 FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X #1 SKOTTIE YOUNG VAR $5.99

OCT230783 FANTASTIC FOUR #15 $3.99

OCT230784 FANTASTIC FOUR #15 HILDEBRANDT GALACTUS MASTERPIECES III VAR $3.99

SEP230926 FANTASTIC FOUR RYAN NORTH TP VOL 02 FOUR STORIES ABOUT HOPE $17.99

OCT230964 KID VENOM ORIGINS #1 $4.99

OCT230966 KID VENOM ORIGINS #1 25 COPY INCV TAURIN CLARKE VAR $4.99

OCT230965 KID VENOM ORIGINS #1 HUMBERTO RAMOS VAR $4.99

SEP230944 MARVEL GRAPHIC COMIC BOX MSH SECRET WARS (BUNDLES OF 5) $60.00

SEP230945 MARVEL GRAPHIC COMIC BOX WOLVERINE (BUNDLES OF 5) $60.00

OCT230967 MARVEL MEOW #1 $5.99

OCT230968 MARVEL MEOW #1 CHRISSIE ZULLO VAR $5.99

OCT230969 MARVEL MEOW #1 DOALY VAR $5.99

OCT230786 MARVEL ZOMBIES BLACK WHITE BLOOD #4 $5.99

OCT230790 MARVEL ZOMBIES BLACK WHITE BLOOD #4 100 COPY INCV VIRGIN VAR $5.99

OCT230789 MARVEL ZOMBIES BLACK WHITE BLOOD #4 JOSHUA CASSARA VAR $5.99

OCT230800 MIGUEL OHARA SPIDER-MAN 2099 #1 $4.99

OCT230803 MIGUEL OHARA SPIDER-MAN 2099 #1 DAVID BALDEON VAR $4.99

OCT230805 MIGUEL OHARA SPIDER-MAN 2099 #1 DAVID YARDIN WOLVERINE VAR $4.99

OCT230939 MSH SECRET WARS #1 FACSIMILE EDITION POSTER $8.99

OCT230799 SILVER SURFER REBIRTH LEGACY #5 $3.99

OCT230807 STAR WARS DARTH VADER #42 $4.99

OCT230808 STAR WARS DARTH VADER #42 LOGO VAR $4.99

OCT230809 STAR WARS DARTH VADER #42 WIJNGAARD AHSOKA REBELS 10TH ANN $4.99

JUN231108 STAR WARS DARTH VADER BLACK WHITE RED TREASURY EDITION TP $29.99

OCT230811 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC SHADOWS OF STARLIGHT #4 $4.99

OCT230812 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC SHADOWS OF STARLIGHT #4 YU VAR $4.99

OCT230819 THANOS #2 $3.99

OCT230821 THANOS #2 TAURIN CLARKE ROM VAR $3.99

OCT230940 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1 POSTER $8.99

OCT230569 VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #1 $5.99

OCT230570 VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #1 CAPPUCCIO FOIL VAR $PI

OCT230576 VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #1 EM GIST VAR $5.99

OCT230574 VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #1 FRANK MILLER VAR $5.99

OCT230571 VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #1 GREG CAPULLO VAR $5.99

OCT230822 VENOM #29 $3.99

OCT230823 VENOM #29 LEINEL YU WOLVERINE WOLVERINE WOLVERINE VAR $3.99

JUN231093 X-MEN HIDDEN YEARS OMNIBUS HC (RES) $100.00

JUN231094 X-MEN HIDDEN YEARS OMNIBUS HC DM VAR (RES) $100.00

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#IReadsYou Review: MARVEL COMICS #1000

MARVEL COMICS No. 1000
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Al Ewing and various
PENCILS: Various
INKS: Various
COLORS: Various
LETTERS: Various
EDITOR: Tom Brevoort
EiC: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Alex Ross
VARIANT COVERS: Various
96pp, Color, $9.99 U.S. (October 2019)

Rated T

Marvel Comics #1 (with a cover date of October 1939) was first published on Aug. 31, 1939.  It was the first comic book published by the company known as Timely Comics, a division of Timely Publications and a precursor of Marvel Comics.  Marvel Comics would eventually take on the title, Marvel Mystery Comics.

Using the publication date of Marvel Comics #1, Marvel Comics has been celebrating its 80th anniversary throughout 2019.  The biggest event of that celebration is a special comic book, Marvel Comics #1000.  This massive collaborative effort features 80 different creative teams and showcases classic Marvel Comics characters and some brand new ones.

Each page of Marvel Comics #1000 is a single-page vignette that is the contribution of one of the 80 creative teams.  The creative teams are a mixture of Marvel Comics luminaries (Roy Thomas, Chris Claremont, Alex Ross, to name a few), recent Marvel star creators (Jason Aaron, Joe Quesada), some rising Marvel creators (David F. Walker, Saladin Ahmed), some celebrities (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Neil Gaiman), and some inexplicable choices (J. Scott Campbell?!)

The guiding hand behind the story in this issue is Al Ewing, writer of the critically-acclaimed Hulk comic book series, Immortal Hulk.  The very first panel of Marvel Comics #1000 is based on a panel from Marvel Comics #1, and it is the beginning of this comic book's first one-pager, which is entitled “Eight Bells.”  It is written by Ewing; drawn by Steve Epting; colored by Frank D'Armata; and lettered by VC's Clayton Cowles.  And while many of the one-pagers in Marvel Comics #1000 are about pivotal moments in Marvel Comics' past, the first one-page hints at an ancient conspiracy that runs through the history of the Marvel Universe.

“Eight Bells” recounts the introduction of the original Human Torch, an android by Professor Horton.  From there, Ewing unveils a mystery in the Marvel Universe, one centered around an enigmatic artifact known as the “Eternity Mask.”  Secret threads, secret connections, secret histories, and synchronicity, what is the mystery behind the Eternity Mask, an item that can take down both the powerful and weak  Who will wear the mask now?

In the Diamond Previews online write-up for Marvel Comics #1000, Marvel declares it features “The Greatest Talent Ever Assembled for One Story.”  Another line reads “...we have gathered together the greatest array of talent ever to be assembled between the covers of a single comic book!”  Marvel has also described the creative line-ups for this Marvel Comics #1000 as “some Marvel icons, some first-timers” and “80 luminary creative teams.”

I understand hype, but I also believe that whoever wrote this does not quite understand the actual meaning of the world “luminary.”  As for “the greatest talent ever assembled,” that is eye-rolling hype.  Most of the contributors to Marvel Comics #1000 are solid professions, but for the most part have not produced enough work or any work that would justify them being called “great talents” and certainly not luminary.  Also, the comic books that most of these new icons and “new luminaries” produce have contributed to the continued plummeting sales of comic books.  Neil Gaiman is obviously a luminary, and after a few puffs of burning bush, I might grudgingly call Jason Aaron a luminary.  But Matthew Rosenberg? – bitch, puh-lease.

For the record, here is a list of artists and writer-artists that have contributed substantially to Marvel Comics, but do not contribute to Marvel Comics #1000:  Art Adams, John Byrne, Sal Buscema, Paul Gulacy, Frank Miller, Andy Kubert, Bob Layton, Jim Lee, Joe Madureira, Todd McFarlane, Bob McLeod, Jon J. Muth, John Romita, John Romita, Jr., Bill Sienkiewicz, Paul Smith, Jim Starlin, Kent Williams, Ron Wilson, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Mike Zeck

Here are the writers who have contributed greatly to Marvel and are not in Marvel Comics #1000:  Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Joe Casey, J.M. DeMatteis, Matt Fraction, Steven Grant, David Michelinie, Mark Millar, Doug Moench, Grant Morrison, Ann Nocenti, Louise Simonson, and Marv Wolfman.

I can understand that there are a number of reasons why none of the above appear in Marvel Comics #1000.  Some may have declined, and others may have chosen not to because they are retired or are in poor health.  Others may have exclusive contracts with other publishers that prohibit them from committing any work for Marvel.  Some may have had scheduling issues, but I think many simply were not asked to contribute.

A Marvel Comics 80th anniversary book without John Byrne and Frank Miller is just fucking stupid.  I don't care what it took – even if someone had to get on his or her knees or drop trousers to convince them, Byrne and Miller had to be in this comic book.   It is because of the work that Byrne and Miller produced for Marvel Comics from the 1970s to the mid-1980s that Marvel had a late 1980s.

And they couldn't get a Jack Kirby pin-up in this bitch?  The comic books that Bendis, Brubaker, and Millar produced in the 2000s contributed greatly to the history-making and astounding amounts of money Marvel Entertainment's owners are now making from film adaptations of Marvel Comics' stories and characters.  Bendis should have written the Miles Morales one-pager; because he didn't, I didn't even bother reading it.

There are some nice moments and pages in Marvel Comics #1000.  I thought the Joe Quesada-Kevin Nowlan Daredevil page was beautiful.  Other pages I liked:  Roy Thomas and Rod Reis's Wolverine page; Jim Zub and Nick Bradshaw's Blade page; and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Jessica Jones page, to name a few.

The good stuff in Marvel Comics #1000 is tainted by the absence of so many true Marvel Comics luminaries and icons.  Donny Cates is not a Marvel icon, nor is Gerry Duggan.  Sorry; not now, but maybe later – much later.  The powers-that-be at Marvel Comics should be honest.  Marvel Comics #1000 is not so much an anniversary celebration as their childish need to have a Marvel title reach a thousandth issue because DC Comics recently had two – Action Comics #1000 and Detective Comics #1000.  And Marvel was going to have their 1000 even if they had to fudge the numbers.

5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


---------------------------------

Review: ROCKET #1

ROCKET No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Al Ewing
ARTIST: Adam Gorham
COLORS: Michael Garland
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
COVER: Mike Mayhew
VARIANT COVERS: Tim Bradstreet; Joe Jusko; David Mack
28pp, Color, $3.99 (July 2017)

Rocket Raccoon created by Bill Mantlo and Keith Giffen

Rated T+

“The Blue River Score” Part 1: “The Damsel”

Rocket Raccoon is a Marvel Comics space-based character created by writer Bill Mantlo and artist Keith Giffen.  The character first appeared in Marvel Preview #7 (cover dated:  Summer 1976), and received a snazzy makeover in 2008, courtesy of writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning.  Rocket Raccoon, or simply “Rocket” is verbose, proactive, and doesn't mind zapping a ray blast in sentient ass.

Rocket Raccoon is the star of his third comic book series, entitled Rocket.  It is written by Al Ewing; drawn by Adam Gorham; colored by Michael Garland; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.

Rocket #1 (“The Damsel”) finds Rocket drowning his sorrows at a bar on Digriz.  Suddenly, in walks Otta Spice, the former female-in-his-life.  She left him, but now, she is back because she needs him.  He does not want to help her, but he will – even if it is mission impossible.

Back in 2014, when I read Rocket Raccoon #1 by Skottie Young, I did not like the first 11 pages.  However, the second half of that comic book was a blast.  I was hoping for something like that with Rocket #1, but it didn't happen.  Rocket #1 is a poor comic book.

Marvel Comics currently has a #1 issue problem, and has for the last few years.  There are too many of them, especially when it comes to Guardians of the Galaxy.  I know that Marvel is merely trying to tap into the sales potential of a hot media property, following the success of the 2014 film, Guardians of the Galaxy, but the number of new titles related to this property seems like early 1990s Marvel overkill.  Rocket #1 is an example of a comic book that is either not ready for release or simply should not be published.  Rocket #1 is only a little better than recent Marvel #1 issues for Kingpin and Bullseye, which were crummy comics.

I like Mike Mayhew's cover art, and Adam Gorham's interior art is just right... for a better humor comic book than Rocket.

C-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

------------------------------

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 1, 2015

MARVEL COMICS

FEB150721     AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #17     $3.99
JAN150817     AVENGERS #43 TRO     $3.99
JAN150897     AVENGERS EVERYBODY WANTS RULE WORLD PROSE NOVEL HC     $24.99
FEB150693     AVENGERS MILLENNIUM #1     $3.99
DEC140948     AVENGERS RAGE OF ULTRON OGN HC     $24.99
JAN150896     AVENGERS SCARLET WITCH BY ABNETT AND LANNING TP     $24.99
FEB150697     AVENGERS ULTRON FOREVER #1     $4.99
FEB150734     CYCLOPS #12 BV     $3.99
FEB150818     DARK TOWER DRAWING THREE HOUSE CARDS #2 (MR)     $3.99
DEC148710     DARTH VADER #1 GRANOV 2ND PTG VAR     $4.99
DEC148711     DARTH VADER #2 GRANOV 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
FEB150777     GEORGE ROMEROS EMPIRE OF DEAD ACT THREE #1 Of(5)     $3.99
FEB150750     GUARDIANS OF GALAXY BEST STORY EVER #1     $3.99
FEB150751     GUARDIANS TEAM-UP #4     $3.99
FEB150816     IRON FIST LIVING WEAPON #11     $3.99
FEB150675     KANAN LAST PADAWAN #1     $3.99
APR140751     MMW AVENGERS HC VOL 01 NEW PTG     $49.99
APR140752     MMW INVINCIBLE IRON MAN HC VOL 01 NEW PTG     $49.99
DEC140963     ONCE UPON A TIME PREM HC OUT OF PAST     $24.99
FEB150805     OPERATION SIN #4     $3.99
FEB150808     PUNISHER #17     $3.99
FEB150825     RETURN OF LIVING DEADPOOL #3     $3.99
FEB150744     ROCKET RACCOON #10     $3.99
DEC148712     SPIDER-GWEN #1 RODRIGUEZ 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
FEB150731     SPIDER-GWEN #3     $3.99
DEC148713     STAR WARS #1 CASSADAY 4TH PTG VAR     $4.99
FEB150762     TRUE BELIEVERS AGE OF APOCALYPSE #1     $1.00
FEB150761     TRUE BELIEVERS MARVEL ZOMBIES #1     $1.00
JAN150809     UNCANNY AVENGERS #3     $3.99
FEB150664     UNCANNY INHUMANS #0     $4.99
JAN150892     WEIRDWORLD TP WARRIORS OF SHADOW REALM     $34.99
FEB150826     WOLVERINES #13     $3.99

I Reads You Review: CAPTAIN AMERICA & THE MIGHTY AVENGERS #1

CAPTAIN AMERICA & THE MIGHTY AVENGERS #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Al Ewing
ART: Luke Ross
COLORS: Rachelle Rosenberg
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Luke Ross
VARIANT COVERS: Ryan Benjamin; Ulises Farinas with Ryan Hill; Skottie Young; Mike Grell with Chris Sotomayor
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2015)

Rated “T+”

Captain America created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby; The Avengers created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

As part of its “Avenger NOW!” initiative, Marvel Comics is debuting some new titles and relaunching others.  Captain America & The Mighty Avengers is a re-launch of the recent The Mighty Avengers, and it arrived at the same time as All-New Captain America.  Written by Al Ewing (who wrote the previous Mighty Avengers series), drawn by Luke Ross, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg, and lettered by Cory Petit, this series finds the new-look Captain America (Sam Wilson a.k.a. The Falcon) as the leader of The Mighty Avengers.

Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1 (“We Take Care Of Our Own”) opens with Captain America in action, and he ain't playin' at all, girl.  Meanwhile, the Amazing Spider-Man is trying to make up with the Mighty Avengers for the actions of the Superior Spider-Man, but is Luke Cage buyin' Amazing's story.

I read the first issue of The Mighty Avengers #1 sometime ago, and was not interested enough to read past the first issue.  It was not a bad comic book, but I simply could not find a reason to keep reading, beyond mild curiosity.  And comic books are too expensive, or at least they are too expensive for a “mild curiosity” purchase.

Now, Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1 opens in the aftermath of Avengers & X-Men: Axis, which saw some personality changes among the super-powered set.  So some of our favorite superheroes, particularly The Avengers, are acting in strange ways or sport darker persona.  The good thing about this new title is that “dark” and “menacing” do not result in a “grim and gritty” comic book.  Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1 is a fun read.  Heck, I might read more... because fun can make sticker shock go away.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Review: MIGHTY AVENGERS #1

MIGHTY AVENGERS (2013) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Al Ewing
PENCILS: Greg Land
INKS: Jay Leisten
COLORS: Frank D’Armata
LETTERS: Cory Petit
COVER: Greg Land with Lee Duhig
VARIANT COVERS:  Bryan Hitch with Laura Martin; Carlo Barberi with Edgar Delgado; Leonel Castellani; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2013)

Rated T+

In comic books, how does one master the art of creating the first issue?  I say “art” because I think that producing a great first issue and continuing that into an exceptional comic book series, is an art.  The number of creators who can (1) produce a great first issue, (2) continue that into a distinguished comic book series, and (3) accomplish that feat more than once is relatively small.  I say Alan Moore, Peter Bagge, Kyle Baker, Brian Michael Bendis, Howard Chaykin, Daniel Clowes, Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, and Frank Miller, among others.

[Of course, there are creators who produce great first issues which only result in uneven series.  Can you say Grant Morrison?]

And then, there are the creators you wonder about.  They deliver an unspectacular first issue, and that makes me suspicious about the rest of the series.  In a market crowded with superhero comic books, the creative team has to open with a bang.  The new reader/customer needs something that seems like more than just the first chapter of an upcoming trade paperback collection.

Out of Marvel Comics’ “Infinity” event comes a relaunch of Mighty Avengers.  British comic book writer Al Ewing and reliable artist Greg Land deliver the ultimate cookie cutter Avengers comic book in Mighty Avengers #1.  This comic book is not a bad cookie, but it is not a $3.99 cookie.

It is more like a cookie you can get in a $1 bag of cookies at a dollar store (Dollar General, Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, etc.).  So Mighty Avengers is not even the equivalent of a “quality” mass-produced cookie brand (Nabisco?).  It is certainly not a boutique shop cookie baked by two broke girls who just opened their own cookie shop with daddy’s money.

So what happens in this new comic book called Mighty Avengers?  The Avengers are off-world, handling someone else’s business, so who is handling their business back home?  Thanos sends a badass bitch named Proxima Midnight to take advantage of an Avenger-less Earth.  Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Luke Cage, Spectrum (formerly known as Negress Captain Marvel), Superior Spider-Man (more like Snobby Spider-Man), Power Man and a few others have conversations about themselves.  Then, they fight.

I think Mighty Avengers is supposed to be clever or at least funny in the vein of the old Keith Giffen-J.M. DeMatteis-Kevin Maguire Justice League.  It is neither.  So much for that wry British humor.  The computer program that Judith Krantz, Danielle Steel, and other bestselling authors supposedly use to write their novels must be similar to the tech Greg Land uses to draw his clone superhero comic book art.  The result of Ewing and Land’s efforts is a comic book that is neither mighty nor spectacular, but it isn’t completely bad.  It is Avengers and if you like Avengers, well...

I have heard people describe Mighty Avengers as the “ethnic Avengers” or even the “black Avengers.”  I guess those could be somewhat accurate descriptions, but not when it comes to the creative team.  Marvel Comics editors act like they’re scared of n*gg*s... or at least can’t find Black comic book writers amongst their friends and colleagues.

Anyway, fans that just gots to have an Avengers fix will want Mighty Avengers, although (if you ask me) they need to diversify their reading list – if just a little.

C

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.