Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 3, 2019

IMAGE COMICS

MAY190051    ANALOG #6 CVR A O SULLIVAN (MR)    $3.99
MAY190052    ANALOG #6 CVR B O SULLIVAN (MR)    $3.99
MAY190057    BIRTHRIGHT #37    $3.99
MAY190059    CROWDED #7 CVR A STEIN BRANDT & FARRELL    $3.99
MAY190060    CROWDED #7 CVR B EPSTEIN    $3.99
MAY190048    GASOLINA TP VOL 03 (MR)    $16.99
MAY190083    MAN-EATERS #10 CVR A MITERNIQUE    $3.99
MAY190084    MAN-EATERS #10 CVR B MITERNIQUE    $3.99
APR190054    MONSTRESS HC VOL 01 (MR)    $49.99
MAY190038    POSTAL DELIVERANCE #1 CVR A SEJIC (MR)    $3.99
MAY190039    POSTAL DELIVERANCE #1 CVR B IENCO (MR)    $3.99
MAY190023    SEA OF STARS #1 CVR A GREEN    $3.99
MAY190024    SEA OF STARS #1 CVR B MIGNOLA    $3.99
MAY190099    SECTION ZERO #4 (OF 6) CVR A GRUMMETT & KESEL    $3.99
MAY190100    SECTION ZERO #4 (OF 6) CVR B DODSON    $3.99
MAY190101    SECTION ZERO #4 (OF 6) CVR C CALDWELL    $3.99
MAY190028    SPACE BANDITS #1 (OF 5) CVR A SCALERA (MR)    $3.99
MAY190029    SPACE BANDITS #1 (OF 5) CVR B SCALERA (MR)    $3.99
MAY190030    SPACE BANDITS #1 (OF 5) CVR C LEGENDS VAR CHAYKIN  (MR)    $0.75
MAY190031    SPACE BANDITS #1 (OF 5) CVR D HITCH (MR)    $3.99
MAY190032    SPACE BANDITS #1 (OF 5) CVR E PICHELLI (MR)    $3.99
MAY190033    SPACE BANDITS #1 (OF 5) CVR F BLANK VAR (MR)    $3.99
APR198796    SPACE BANDITS #1 (OF 5) CVR G CHAREST (MR)    $3.99
APR198093    THUMBS #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG (MR)    $4.99
MAY190108    THUMBS #2 (OF 5) (MR)    $4.99
APR198094    WALKING DEAD #192 SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE ED    $3.99
MAY190111    WALKING DEAD #193 (MR)    $3.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 5, 2019

MARVEL COMICS

MAR191034    ADVENTURES OF SPIDER-MAN GN TP SINISTER INTENTIONS VOL 01    $12.99
APR190893    AGE OF X-MAN PRISONER X #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
MAR191016    AVENGERS BY JASON AARON TP VOL 03 WAR OF VAMPIRE    $17.99
APR190773    BLACK CAT #1    $4.99
APR190775    BLACK CAT #1 ARTGERM VAR    $4.99
APR190781    BLACK CAT #1 BLANK VAR    $4.99
APR190777    BLACK CAT #1 FOREMAN VAR    $4.99
APR190780    BLACK CAT #1 YOUNG VAR    $4.99
APR190982    BLACK CAT BY J SCOTT CAMPBELL POSTER    $8.99
MAR191008    CAPTAIN AMERICA TP EVOLUTIONS OF LIVING LEGEND    $29.99
APR190753    CAPTAIN MARVEL #6 SUAYAN MARVELS 25TH TRIBUTE VAR WR    $3.99
APR190752    CAPTAIN MARVEL #6 WR    $3.99
MAR191024    CLOAK AND DAGGER TP AGONY AND ECSTASY    $39.99
APR190857    COSMIC GHOST RIDER DESTROYS MARVEL HISTORY #4 (OF 6)    $3.99
APR190858    COSMIC GHOST RIDER DESTROYS MARVEL HISTORY #4 (OF 6) DANIEL    $3.99
MAR191030    DAREDEVIL EPIC COLLECTION TP PURGATORY AND PARADISE    $39.99
APR190899    DEAD MAN LOGAN #8 (OF 12)    $3.99
APR190759    DEADPOOL #13 GRANOV MARVELS 25TH TRIBUTE VAR WR    $3.99
APR190758    DEADPOOL #13 WR    $3.99
APR190905    DOMINO HOTSHOTS #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
APR190844    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY ANNUAL #1    $4.99
APR190846    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY ANNUAL #1 LIM VAR    $4.99
APR190848    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY ANNUAL #1 SMITH VAR    $4.99
APR190789    INCREDIBLE HULK LAST CALL #1    $4.99
APR190791    INCREDIBLE HULK LAST CALL #1 ADAM KUBERT VAR    $4.99
DEC181031    MARVEL ART OF SKOTTIE YOUNG HC    $50.00
MAR191026    MARVEL KNIGHTS PUNISHER BY ENNIS COMPLETE COLLECTION TP VOL    $39.99
FEB191009    MARVEL SUPER HERO ADVENTURES GN TP SPIDER-MAN    $9.99
APR190878    MARVEL TEAM-UP #3    $3.99
APR190879    MARVEL TEAM-UP #3 MARTIN MARVELS 25TH TRIBUTE VAR    $3.99
APR190851    MEET THE SKRULLS #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
APR190843    OLD MAN QUILL #6 (OF 12)    $3.99
MAR198803    SAVAGE AVENGERS #1 2ND PTG DEODATO VAR    $4.99
APR190795    SAVAGE AVENGERS #2    $3.99
APR190799    SAVAGE AVENGERS #2 COKER MARVELS 25TH TRIBUTE VAR    $3.99
APR190797    SAVAGE AVENGERS #2 DEODATO VAR    $3.99
APR190983    SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #6 BY FINCH POSTER    $8.99
FEB190988    SOLO TP STAR WARS STORY ADAPTATION    $19.99
APR190837    SPIDER-GWEN GHOST SPIDER #9    $3.99
APR190984    SPIDER-MAN BY BARTEL POSTER    $8.99
FEB191000    SPIDER-MAN FAR FROM HOME PRELUDE TP    $15.99
APR190924    STAR WARS AOR LUKE SKYWALKER #1    $3.99
APR190927    STAR WARS AOR LUKE SKYWALKER #1 CONCEPT VAR    $3.99
APR190926    STAR WARS AOR LUKE SKYWALKER #1 MCKONE PUZZLE PC VAR    $3.99
MAR198654    STAR WARS GALAXYS EDGE #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG SLINEY VAR    $3.99
MAR198655    SYMBIOTE SPIDER-MAN #1 (OF 5) 3RD PTG LAND VAR    $4.99
MAR190825    TONY STARK IRON MAN #12 WR    $3.99
APR190806    TRUE BELIEVERS AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1    $1.00
APR190805    TRUE BELIEVERS NEW SPIDER-MAN #1    $1.00
APR190807    TRUE BELIEVERS SPIDER-ARMOR #1    $1.00
APR190896    UNCANNY X-MEN #19    $3.99
APR190897    UNCANNY X-MEN #19 NOTO MARVELS 25TH TRIBUTE VAR    $3.99
APR190721    WAR OF REALMS #5 (OF 6) CAMUNCOLI CONNECTING REALM VAR WR    $4.99
APR190725    WAR OF REALMS #5 (OF 6) LARRAZ YOUNG GUNS VAR WR    $4.99
APR190720    WAR OF REALMS #5 (OF 6) WR    $4.99
APR190724    WAR OF REALMS #5 (OF 6) YARDIN INTERNATIONAL VAR WR    $4.99
APR190733    WAR OF REALMS JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #4 (OF 5) WR    $3.99
APR190737    WAR OF REALMS NEW AGENTS OF ATLAS #3 (OF 4) WR    $3.99

Review: AVENGERS #1 (2018)

AVENGERS No. 1 (2018)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jason Aaron
PENCILS: Ed McGuinness
INKS: Mark Morales
COLORS: David Curiel
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
EDITOR: Tom Brevoort
COVER: Ed McGuinness and Mark Morales with Justin Ponsor
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Aaron Kuder with Jason Keith; Greg Land and Jay Leisten with Frank D'Armata; Esad Ribic
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (July 2018)

Rated “T+”

Avengers created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“The Final Host”

In the 1970s and 1980s, Marvel Comics published comic book adaptations of popular and cult science fiction and fantasy films, from the Stars Wars films to movies like Dune (1984) and The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984).  Some of them had beautiful art (Al Williamson's killer work on Marvel's The Empire Strikes Back adaptation), but the script adaptations were often weak.  Reading these film to comic book adaptations was like reading storyboards for a film with some of the boards were missing.  That is when you realize the “motion” in motion pictures makes the medium of film not all that related to the medium of comic books with its static or still graphics.

The Avengers #1 that arrived on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 got me to thinking about comic books that try to capture the sound and vision of films.  We see comic book writers trying to write for comic books the kind of big, loud, special-effects driven stories that only films can tell.  Once upon a time, people said that comic book stories that were written like other comic books were bad things.  Now, we have comic books trying too hard to be like films and television.  That is the real problem, and brother, Avengers #1 2018 has many problems.

Marvel Comics is just beginning another relaunch of its comic book line, something called “Fresh Start.”  The venerable publisher is returning to its “Legacy” characters after publishing new versions of those classic characters – new versions that some retards described as “black, homo, and freaking female.”  So enter Avengers #1 2018 (Legacy #691).  It is written by Jason Aaron; drawn by Ed McGuinness (pencils) and Mark Morales (inks); colored by David Curiel; and lettered by Cory Petit.  At the core of this old-is-new Avengers are classic (white male) Tony Stark/Iron Man, classic (white male) Thor, and classic (white male) Steve Rogers/Captain America.

Avengers #1 (Legacy #691) opens on Earth, one million years ago and depicts the Avengers of 1,000,000 BC.  Then it moves to present day Earth, where Thor and Steve Rogers are trying to convince a reluctant Tony Stark that the world needs the Avengers to return, and the Avengers can only return the right way with them – the original Thor, Captain America, and Iron Man.  It may no longer be a matter of choice when cosmic beings start falling to Earth.

It is clear to me that Marvel is trying to make the Avengers 2018 comic book series be as close to Marvel Studios' Avengers movies as possible.  Writer Jason Aaron tries to make it seem like there is a story here and not just action scenes, but there is not much of a story here.  This is the Avengers comic book as a Michael Bay movie – if Bay did a mash-up of his Transformers films and the Avengers films.  Avengers #1 is big, loud silent scream, and Aaron squeezes in a few quiet, faux-character scenes, mostly featuring the She-Hulk and the Ghost Rider, in a failed bid at adding substance.

Marvel Comics' problems are not “diversity characters.”  The main problem is the embrace of event comic books and other publishing stunts that are flash instead of story.  DC Comics got the message, and its 2016 “Rebirth” initiative was a return to an emphasis on story, even when those stories may be average at best.  At least, DC and its creative teams are working at giving readers substance in story, plot, and character.

Maybe another problem is that many of Marvel's best writers have moved on from Marvel.  Most of the really good comic book writers that wrote for Marvel over the last two decades (Mark Millar and Ed Brubaker, for example) are now in Hollywood, at Amazon or Netflix, or are producing comic books for Image Comics.  Marvel is left with writers like Jason Aaron and Cullen Bunn who are inconsistent, writing comic books that are surprisingly good or woefully average.  And in his bid to make an Avengers comic book act like an Avengers movie, Aaron delivers woeful with Avengers #1 2018.

Marvel is also constantly recycling pencil artist Ed McGuinness, but as usual, his drawing style is pleasing to the eye, although McGuinness' art looks like a chibi slash lolicon version of the art of flaky comic book creator, Arthur Adams.  David Curiel's colors over McGuinness and Mark Morales' (inker) illustrations are gorgeous, though.  Of Avengers #1 2018's creative team, Curiel delivers the best work.

In about a year or so, the sales of Avengers 2018 will be less than half of what Avengers #1 2018 is now.  Who will get the blame, then?  Marvel Comics' editorial policy?  Marvel's recycled creative teams?  Scapegoat “diversity characters?”

This is an Avengers comic book trying to be event entertainment, when being a good comic book is all that is necessary to please most comic book readers.  And no, Avengers #1 is not worth its $4.99 cover price.

4 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 15, 2019

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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 8, 2019

MARVEL COMICS

MAR190950    AGE OF CONAN BELIT #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
MAR190937    AGE OF X-MAN APOCALYPSE AND X-TRACTS #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
NOV181006    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN STRACZYNSKI OMNIBUS HC VOL 01    $125.00
MAR191037    AVENGERS BY MCGUINNESS POSTER    $8.99
FEB198762    AVENGERS NO ROAD HOME #8 (OF 10) 2ND PTG BARBERI VAR    $3.99
FEB190843    CAPTAIN AMERICA #10    $3.99
FEB190844    CAPTAIN AMERICA #10 JOHNSON ASGARDIAN VAR    $3.99
MAR190888    CAPTAIN MARVEL #5    $3.99
MAR190889    CAPTAIN MARVEL #5 MAXX LIM MARVEL BATTLE LINES VAR    $3.99
MAR190952    CONAN THE BARBARIAN #6    $3.99
FEB190989    DECADES MARVEL 80S TP AWESOME EVOLUTIONS    $24.99
MAR190904    DEFENDERS MARVEL FEATURE #1 FACSIMILE EDITION    $4.99
MAR190869    FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #6    $3.99
MAR190870    FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #6 NEXON MARVEL BATTLE LINE    $3.99
MAR190844    INVADERS #5    $3.99
MAR191038    MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS BY ARTHUR ADAMS POSTER    $8.99
FEB190878    MARVELS ANNOTATED #3 (OF 4)    $7.99
FEB190880    MARVELS ANNOTATED #3 (OF 4) ALEX ROSS VIRGIN VAR    $7.99
FEB190879    MARVELS ANNOTATED #3 (OF 4) DELLOTTO VAR    $7.99
NOV181010    MMW SAVAGE SHE-HULK HC VOL 02    $75.00
NOV181011    MMW SAVAGE SHE-HULK HC VOL 02 DM VAR ED 274    $75.00
MAR191035    SAVAGE AVENGERS BY FINCH POSTER    $8.99
MAR190948    SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #5    $3.99
FEB190992    SPIDER-GWEN GHOST-SPIDER TP VOL 01 SPIDER-GEDDON    $15.99
MAR191039    SPIDER-MAN BY STEGMAN POSTER    $8.99
MAR190882    SPIDER-MAN DEADPOOL #50    $4.99
FEB190985    STAR WARS AGE OF REPUBLIC TP VILLAINS    $17.99
MAR190963    STAR WARS AOR BOBA FETT #1    $3.99
MAR190965    STAR WARS AOR BOBA FETT #1 CONCEPT VAR    $3.99
MAR190986    STAR WARS DOCTOR APHRA #32    $3.99
MAR190871    SYMBIOTE SPIDER-MAN #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
MAR190874    SYMBIOTE SPIDER-MAN #2 (OF 5) JONGJU KIM MARVEL BATTLE LINES    $3.99
MAR190872    SYMBIOTE SPIDER-MAN #2 (OF 5) LIM VAR    $3.99
FEB191005    THOR BY JASON AARON COMPLETE COLLECTION TP VOL 01    $39.99
MAR190851    TRUE BELIEVERS INVADERS #1    $1.00
MAR190852    TRUE BELIEVERS IRON FIST COLLEEN WING #1    $1.00
MAR190820    UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #44 SUJIN JO MARVEL BATTLE LINES VA    $3.99
MAR190819    UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #44 WR    $3.99
MAR190913    UNSTOPPABLE WASP #7    $3.99
MAR190914    UNSTOPPABLE WASP #7 SUJIN JO MARVEL BATTLE LINES VAR    $3.99
FEB198763    WAR OF REALMS #1 (OF 6) 2ND PTG DAUTERMAN VAR    $5.99
MAR190799    WAR OF REALMS JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #2 (OF 5) WR    $3.99
MAR190794    WAR OF REALMS NEW AGENTS OF ATLAS #1 (OF 4) CAMUNCOLI CONNEC    $3.99
MAR190793    WAR OF REALMS NEW AGENTS OF ATLAS #1 (OF 4) WR    $3.99
MAR191036    WAR OF REALMS NEW AGENTS OF ATLAS BY BILLY TAN POSTER    $8.99
MAR190944    X-FORCE #7    $3.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 6, 2019

MARVEL COMICS

JAN191127    AGE OF CONAN BELIT BY TAKEDA POSTER    $8.99
JAN190953    AGE OF X-MAN PRISONER X #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
JAN190956    AGE OF X-MAN PRISONER X #1 (OF 5) INHYUK LEE CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
JAN190900    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #16.HU    $3.99
JAN191128    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #17 BY RAMOS POSTER    $8.99
JAN190889    AVENGERS #16 HILDEBRANDT SPIDER-MAN VILLAINS VAR    $3.99
JAN190888    AVENGERS #16 WR    $3.99
DEC181038    AVENGERS BY JASON AARON TP VOL 02 WORLD TOUR    $17.99
DEC181039    AVENGERS BY JASON AARON TP VOL 02 WORLD TOUR SHAW DM VAR    $17.99
JAN190914    AVENGERS NO ROAD HOME #4 (OF 10)    $3.99
JAN190915    AVENGERS NO ROAD HOME #4 (OF 10) NOTO CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
JAN191029    BLACK ORDER #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
JAN191030    BLACK ORDER #5 (OF 5) CHRISTOPHER VAR    $3.99
JAN190977    CHAMPIONS #3    $3.99
DEC188992    CHAMPIONS #3 CHARRETIER INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY VAR    $3.99
JAN190978    CHAMPIONS #3 MCKONE SPIDER-MAN VILLAINS VAR    $3.99
JAN190911    CONAN THE BARBARIAN #4    $3.99
JAN190913    CONAN THE BARBARIAN #4 BROOKS SPIDER-MAN VILLAINS VAR    $3.99
JAN190946    COSMIC GHOST RIDER DESTROYS MARVEL HISTORY #1 (OF 6)    $3.99
JAN190947    COSMIC GHOST RIDER DESTROYS MARVEL HISTORY #1 (OF 6) LIM VAR    $3.99
JAN191043    DEADPOOL #10    $3.99
JAN191044    DEADPOOL #10 BRADSHAW SPIDER-MAN VILLAINS VAR    $3.99
JAN190942    DOMINO HOTSHOTS #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
SEP180998    EARTH X TRILOGY OMNIBUS HC OMEGA    $100.00
NOV181038    EXILES TP VOL 02 TRIAL OF EXILES    $17.99
DEC181033    FANTASTIC FOUR TP VOL 01 FOUREVER    $15.99
DEC188987    IMMORTAL HULK #12 2ND PTG BENNETT VAR    $3.99
JAN190979    IMMORTAL HULK #14    $3.99
JAN190980    IMMORTAL HULK #14 STEVENS SPIDER-MAN VILLAINS VAR    $3.99
JAN191010    KILLMONGER #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
DEC181050    MARVEL KNIGHTS PUNISHER BY ENNIS COMPLETE COLL TP VOL 02    $39.99
JAN191129    MARVEL RISING #1 BY MOK POSTER    $8.99
NOV181015    MARVELS CAPTAIN MARVEL HC ART OF MOVIE SLIPCASE    $50.00
JAN190935    MEET THE SKRULLS #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
JAN190938    MEET THE SKRULLS #1 (OF 5) YOUNG VAR    $3.99
DEC188988    MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #1 3RD PTG GARRON VAR    $3.99
JAN191080    MSH ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN SPIDER-SENSE OF ADVENTURE #1    $3.99
JAN191130    SPIDER-MAN CITY AT WAR BY CRAIN POSTER    $8.99
JAN191058    STAR WARS #62    $3.99
JAN191063    STAR WARS AOR PADME AMIDALA #1    $3.99
JAN191064    STAR WARS AOR PADME AMIDALA #1 CONCEPT VAR    $3.99
DEC181052    STAR WARS EWOKS TP FLIGHT TO DANGER    $15.99
JAN191054    STAR WARS VADER DARK VISIONS #1 (OF 5)    $4.99
JAN191057    STAR WARS VADER DARK VISIONS #1 (OF 5) MOVIE VAR    $4.99
DEC181048    UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL TP VOL 10 LIFE TOO SHORT SQUIRREL    $15.99
JAN191034    UNCANNY X-MEN #13    $3.99
JAN191037    UNCANNY X-MEN #13 BENGAL CHARACTER VAR    $3.99
JAN191035    UNCANNY X-MEN #13 MCKONE SPIDER-MAN VILLAINS VAR    $3.99
JAN190894    WAR OF REALMS BY ART ADAMS POSTER    $8.99
DEC181057    WOLVERINE EPIC COLLECTION TP BACK TO BASICS    $39.99
DEC181043    X-MEN BLACK TP    $17.99
DEC181042    X-MEN RED TP VOL 02 WAGING PEACE    $17.99
DEC180858    ZIGGY PIG SILLY SEAL COMICS #1    $3.99
DEC180859    ZIGGY PIG SILLY SEAL COMICS #1 DEL MUNDO YOUNG GUNS VAR    $3.99
DEC180860    ZIGGY PIG SILLY SEAL COMICS #1 RUBIO SKRULLS VAR    $3.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 27, 2019

MARVEL COMICS

DEC180892    AGE OF X-MAN X-TREMISTS #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
DEC180894    AGE OF X-MAN X-TREMISTS #1 (OF 5) INHYUK LEE CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
DEC180953    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #16    $4.99
DEC180839    AVENGERS NO ROAD HOME #3 (OF 10)    $3.99
DEC180840    AVENGERS NO ROAD HOME #3 (OF 10) SUAYAN CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
DEC180981    BLACK PANTHER #9    $3.99
DEC180983    BLACK PANTHER #9 BENJAMIN SKRULLS VAR    $3.99
DEC180982    BLACK PANTHER #9 NORMAN VAR    $3.99
DEC180979    BLACK PANTHER VS DEADPOOL #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
DEC180980    BLACK PANTHER VS DEADPOOL #5 (OF 5) BAKER VAR    $3.99
DEC180944    CAPTAIN AMERICA #8    $3.99
DEC180945    CAPTAIN AMERICA #8 LARRAZ SKRULLS VAR    $3.99
DEC180915    CAPTAIN MARVEL BRAVER & MIGHTIER #1    $3.99
DEC180916    CAPTAIN MARVEL BRAVER & MIGHTIER #1 LIM VAR    $3.99
DEC180849    DAREDEVIL #2    $3.99
DEC181058    DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 23 MERCS FOR MONEY    $34.99
DEC180968    FANTASTIC FOUR #7    $3.99
DEC180970    FANTASTIC FOUR #7 MCKONE SKRULLS VAR    $3.99
DEC180972    FANTASTIC FOUR #7 YONGHO CHO MYSTERY VAR    $3.99
DEC188796    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1 2ND PTG SHAW VAR    $4.99
DEC181046    INFINITY WARS TP SLEEPWALKER    $15.99
DEC180939    INVADERS #2    $3.99
DEC181061    IRON FIST DEADLY HANDS KUNG FU TP COMPLETE COLLECTION (MR)    $39.99
DEC188439    IRONHEART #2 2ND PTG VECCHIO VAR    $3.99
DEC180855    MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #2    $4.99
DEC181051    MARVEL KNIGHTS PUNISHER BY PEYER & GUTIERREZ TP TAXI WARS    $24.99
JAN190089    MARVEL PREVIEWS VOL 04 #20 MARCH 2019 EXTRAS    $1.25
DEC188440    MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #2 2ND PTG GARRON VAR    $3.99
DEC180984    MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR #40    $3.99
DEC181036    MR AND MRS X TP VOL 01 LOVE AND MARRIAGE    $17.99
DEC180823    SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #2    $3.99
DEC181037    SPIDER-GEDDON TP COVERT OPS    $17.99
SEP180997    STAR WARS BY JASON AARON OMNIBUS HC    $125.00
DEC181007    STAR WARS DOCTOR APHRA #29    $3.99
DEC181062    SUB-MARINER TP DEPTHS (NEW PTG)    $17.99
DEC180965    SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #3    $3.99
DEC180929    TRUE BELIEVERS CAPTAIN MARVEL AVENGER #1    $1.00
DEC180931    TRUE BELIEVERS CAPTAIN MARVEL BETRAYED #1    $1.00
DEC180930    TRUE BELIEVERS CAPTAIN MARVEL NEW MS MARVEL #1    $1.00
DEC181044    TYPHOID FEVER TP    $12.99
DEC188441    VENOM #10 2ND PTG STEGMAN VAR    $3.99
DEC180938    WEST COAST AVENGERS #8    $3.99
DEC180996    X-FORCE #3    $3.99
DEC180997    X-FORCE #3 GUICE SKRULLS VAR    $3.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 21, 2018

IMAGE COMICS

SEP180079    24 PANELS TP    $16.99
SEP180147    BURNOUTS #3 CVR A BURNHAM (MR)    $3.99
JUL189038    BURNOUTS #3 CVR B GEOFFO (MR)    $3.99
JUL189039    BURNOUTS #3 CVR C JOHNSON (MR)    $3.99
SEP180149    COLD SPOTS #4 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
SEP180081    CRUDE TP VOL 01 (MR)    $16.99
SEP180156    DAYS OF HATE #10 (OF 12) (MR)    $3.99
SEP180084    DEADLY CLASS TP VOL 01 MEDIA TIE-IN ED (MR)    $9.99
SEP180159    EAST OF WEST #40 CVR A DRAGOTTA (RES)    $3.99
SEP188124    EAST OF WEST #40 CVR B VIRGIN VAR    $3.99
SEP180162    EVOLUTION #12 (MR)    $3.99
SEP180163    EXORSISTERS #2 CVR A LAGACE & PANTAZIS    $3.99
SEP180164    EXORSISTERS #2 CVR B PARENT    $3.99
SEP180090    FLAVOR TP    $16.99
SEP180098    INJECTION DLX ED HC VOL 01 (MR)    $49.99
AUG180172    MEN OF WRATH HC (MR)    $19.99
SEP180050    MIDDLEWEST #1 CVR A HUDDLESTON (MR)    $3.99
SEP180193    NEW WORLD #5 (OF 5) CVR A MOORE & MULLER (MR)    $3.99
SEP180194    NEW WORLD #5 (OF 5) CVR B MOORE & MULLER (MR)    $3.99
SEP180205    RUMBLE #9 CVR A RUBIN (MR)    $3.99
SEP180206    RUMBLE #9 CVR B FEGREDO (MR)    $3.99
SEP180207    SAVAGE DRAGON #240 (MR)    $3.99
SEP180213    STELLAR #6    $3.99
SEP180113    STRAY BULLETS SUNSHINE & ROSES TP VOL 03 (MR)    $19.99
SEP180129    UNDERWINTER QUEEN OF SPIRITS TP (MR)    $16.99
SEP180132    UNNATURAL TP VOL 01 AWAKENING (MR)    $9.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 3, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

JUL188892    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #2 3RD PTG OTTLEY VAR    $3.99
APR180851    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN BY MICHELINIE & MCFARLANE OMNIBUS HC    $100.00
AUG181005    ASGARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #2    $3.99
JUL188893    AVENGERS #6 2ND PTG MCGUINNESS VAR    $3.99
JUL181176    AVENGERS BY JASON AARON TP VOL 01 FINAL HOST    $17.99
JUL181177    AVENGERS BY JASON AARON TP VOL 01 FINAL HOST MCGUINNESS DM V    $17.99
JUL181197    AVENGERS DOCTOR STRANGE TP RISE OF DARKHOLD    $39.99
JUL188894    CAPTAIN AMERICA #3 2ND PTG YU VAR    $3.99
AUG180943    CHAMPIONS #25    $4.99
AUG180944    CHAMPIONS #25 JONG JU KIM MARVEL BATTLE LINES VAR    $4.99
AUG180993    COSMIC GHOST RIDER #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
AUG180995    COSMIC GHOST RIDER #4 (OF 5) MAXX LIM MARVEL BATTLE LINES VA    $3.99
AUG181040    DEADPOOL #5    $3.99
AUG181041    DEADPOOL #5 SUJIN JO MARVEL BATTLE LINES VAR    $3.99
AUG181029    DEATH OF INHUMANS #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
AUG181030    DEATH OF INHUMANS #4 (OF 5) LARRAZ YOUNG GUNS CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
JUL188895    DOCTOR STRANGE #4 2ND PTG SAIZ VAR    $3.99
AUG181012    DOCTOR STRANGE #6    $3.99
AUG181013    DOCTOR STRANGE #6 KEUNWOO LEE MARVEL BATTLE LINES VAR    $3.99
JUL181187    DOCTOR STRANGE BY DONNY CATES TP VOL 02 CITY OF SIN    $15.99
APR180843    HELLSTORM BY WARREN ELLIS OMNIBUS HC (MR)    $75.00
AUG180879    INFINITY WARS SLEEPWALKER #1 (OF 4)    $3.99
APR180844    MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE HC MARVEL COMICS OMNIBUS    $125.00
JUL188716    MARVEL UNIVERSE MAGAZINE #1 FALL (SOLD AS EACHES) (Net)    $PI
JUL188814    PUNISHER #1 2ND PTG KUDRANSKI VAR    $4.99
AUG180898    SHATTERSTAR #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
APR180849    SPIDER-GWEN HC VOL 03    $34.99
AUG181061    STAR WARS #55    $3.99
AUG180863    SUPERIOR OCTOPUS #1 SG    $4.99
AUG180865    SUPERIOR OCTOPUS #1 YOON LEE MARVEL BATTLE LINES VAR    $4.99
JUL188935    THANOS LEGACY #1 2ND PTG LEVEL VAR    $4.99
APR180845    THOR HEROES RETURN OMNIBUS HC VOL 02    $125.00
JUL181198    TOMB OF DRACULA COMPLETE COLLECTION TP VOL 02    $39.99
APR180852    TOMB OF DRACULA OMNIBUS HC NEW PTG VOL 01    $100.00
JUL181029    TONY STARK IRON MAN #4    $3.99
JUL181031    TONY STARK IRON MAN #4 NAKAYAMA COSMIC GHOST RIDER VAR    $3.99
AUG180929    TRUE BELIEVERS WHAT IF AVENGERS FOUGHT EVIL DURING 1950S #1    $1.00
AUG180930    TRUE BELIEVERS WHAT IF JANE FOSTER FOUND HAMMER OF THOR #1    $1.00
AUG180967    TYPHOID FEVER SPIDER-MAN #1    $4.99
AUG180970    TYPHOID FEVER SPIDER-MAN #1 HEEJIN JOEN MARVEL BATTLE LINES    $4.99
AUG180969    TYPHOID FEVER SPIDER-MAN #1 SANDOVAL CONNECTING VAR    $4.99
JUL188896    VENOM #4 3RD PTG STEGMAN VAR    $3.99
AUG181046    WEAPON H #8    $3.99
AUG181047    WEAPON H #8 SUJIN JO MARVEL BATTLE LINES VAR    $3.99
AUG181056    WEAPON X #24    $3.99
JUL188897    WEB OF VENOM VE NAM #1 2ND PTG RAMIREZ VAR    $4.99
JUL188905    WEST COAST AVENGERS #1 2ND PTG CASELLI VAR    $4.99
AUG180923    WHAT IF? SPIDER-MAN #1    $3.99
AUG180924    WHAT IF? SPIDER-MAN #1 CHRISTOPHER ACTION FIGURE VAR    $3.99
AUG180917    WHAT IF? X-MEN #1    $3.99
AUG180918    WHAT IF? X-MEN #1 CHRISTOPHER ACTION FIGURE VAR    $3.99
AUG180905    X-MEN BLACK MAGNETO #1    $4.99
JUL189101    X-MEN BLACK MAGNETO #1 JSC VIRGIN VAR    $4.99
AUG180906    X-MEN BLACK MAGNETO #1 LARROCA MUGSHOT VAR    $4.99
JUL181195    X-MEN PHOENIX IN DARKNESS BY GRANT MORRISON TP    $24.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 15, 2018

DC COMICS

JUN180458    AQUAMAN #39 SINK ATLANTIS    $3.99
JUN180459    AQUAMAN #39 VAR ED SINK ATLANTIS    $3.99
MAY180567    ASTRO CITY BROKEN MELODY HC    $24.99
MAY180477    BATGIRL #25    $4.99
MAY180478    BATGIRL #25 VAR ED    $4.99
JUN180465    BATMAN #53    $3.99
JUN180466    BATMAN #53 VAR ED    $3.99
MAY180570    BATMAN THE CAPED CRUSADER TP VOL 01    $29.99
JUN180469    BATWOMAN #18    $3.99
JUN180470    BATWOMAN #18 VAR ED    $3.99
JUN180473    CAVE CARSON HAS AN INTERSTELLAR EYE #6 (MR)    $3.99
JUN180476    DAMAGE #8    $2.99
JUN188073    DOOMSDAY CLOCK #1 (OF 12) 4TH PTG    $4.99
JUN188074    DOOMSDAY CLOCK #2 (OF 12) 3RD PTG    $4.99
JUN180493    GREEN LANTERNS #53    $3.99
JUN180494    GREEN LANTERNS #53 VAR ED    $3.99
JUN180499    HARLEY QUINN #48    $3.99
JUN180500    HARLEY QUINN #48 VAR ED    $3.99
MAY180581    HARLEY QUINN TP VOL 06 ANGRY BIRD REBIRTH    $19.99
JUN180505    INJUSTICE 2 #32    $2.99
JUN180506    INJUSTICE VS THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #2 (OF 6)    $3.99
MAY180585    JSA BY GEOFF JOHNS TP BOOK 02    $29.99
JUN180509    JUSTICE LEAGUE #6    $3.99
JUN188076    JUSTICE LEAGUE #6 JIM LEE PENCILS VAR ED    $3.99
JUN180510    JUSTICE LEAGUE #6 VAR ED    $3.99
JUN180519    NEW CHALLENGERS #4 (OF 6)    $2.99
JUN180430    PEARL #1 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
JUN180432    PEARL #1 (OF 6) BLANK VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
JUN180431    PEARL #1 (OF 6) VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
MAY180589    SCALPED TP BOOK 03 (MR)    $24.99
JUN180531    SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #94 (RES)    $2.99
FEB180312    SEVEN SOLDIERS BY GRANT MORRISON OMNIBUS HC    $75.00
JUN180542    TEEN TITANS GO #29    $2.99
JUN188075    TITANS #23 2ND PTG    $3.99
JUN180547    WILD STORM #16    $3.99
JUN180548    WILD STORM #16 VAR ED    $3.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 17, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

NOV171006    ALL NEW WOLVERINE #29 LEG    $3.99
NOV178120    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #792 2ND PTG ROSS VAR LEG    $3.99
NOV170955    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VENOM INC OMEGA #1 LEG    $4.99
NOV170980    AMERICA #11    $3.99
NOV170879    AVENGERS #676 LEG    $3.99
NOV170945    CHAMPIONS #16 LEG    $3.99
OCT171018    DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 21 DVX    $34.99
NOV171018    DEADPOOL VS OLD MAN LOGAN #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
NOV171019    DEADPOOL VS OLD MAN LOGAN #4 (OF 5) LIM VAR    $3.99
OCT178653    DOCTOR STRANGE #382 2ND PTG WALTA VAR LEG    $3.99
NOV170981    DOCTOR STRANGE #384 LEG    $3.99
NOV171009    GENERATION X #86 LEG    $3.99
NOV170946    MIGHTY THOR #703 LEG WW    $3.99
OCT170992    MIGHTY THOR PREM HC VOL 04 WAR THOR    $24.99
JUL171206    MMW SUB MARINER HC VOL 08    $75.00
JUL171207    MMW SUB MARINER HC VOL 08 DM VAR ED 255    $75.00
NOV170988    MONSTERS UNLEASHED #10 LEG    $3.99
NOV170961    PETER PARKER SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #299 LEG    $3.99
OCT171021    PUNISHER MAX TP COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 07 (MR)    $39.99
NOV170985    SPIRITS OF VENGEANCE #4 (OF 5) LEG    $3.99
NOV171030    STAR WARS #42    $3.99
OCT170996    STAR WARS LEGENDS EPIC COLLECTION LEGACY TP VOL 02    $39.99
NOV171010    WEAPON X #13 LEG    $3.99
NOV170997    X-MEN GOLD #20 LEG    $3.99
OCT171017    X-MEN LEGION SHADOW KING RISING TP    $34.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 13, 2017

MARVEL COMICS

OCT170944    ALL NEW WOLVERINE #28 LEG    $3.99
OCT170879    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #792 LEG    $3.99
SEP170994    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN CLONE CONSPIRACY TP    $39.99
OCT170902    BEN REILLY SCARLET SPIDER #11 LEG    $3.99
OCT170950    CABLE #152 LEG    $3.99
SEP170997    CHAMPIONS TP VOL 02 FREELANCER LIFESTYLE    $19.99
OCT170910    DAREDEVIL #596 LEG    $3.99
SEP171020    DARK AVENGERS BY BENDIS TP COMPLETE COLLECTION    $34.99
SEP171004    DEFENDERS TP VOL 01 DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER    $15.99
OCT170951    DESPICABLE DEADPOOL #290 LEG    $3.99
OCT170930    FALCON #3 LEG    $3.99
JUN171049    GUARDIANS OF GALAXY HC VOL 04    $34.99
OCT170928    JEAN GREY #10 LEG    $3.99
SEP178865    MARVEL 2018 CALENDAR (BUNDLE OF 25)    $10.00
JUN171045    MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE GUIDEBOOK GOOD BAD GUARDIANS HC    $34.99
JUN171043    MMW FANTASTIC FOUR HC VOL 19    $75.00
JUN171044    MMW FANTASTIC FOUR HC VOL 19 DM VAR ED 254    $75.00
SEP170995    MS MARVEL TP VOL 08 MECCA    $17.99
SEP171007    PETER PARKER SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 01 INTO TWILIGHT    $17.99
OCT170916    PUNISHER #219 LEG    $3.99
SEP171008    ROCKET TP VOL 01 BLUE RIVER SCORE    $17.99
OCT170933    ROYALS #12 LEG    $3.99
OCT170961    RUNAWAYS #4    $3.99
OCT170934    SECRET WARRIORS #10 LEG    $3.99
OCT170922    SHE-HULK #160 LEG    $3.99
OCT170972    STAR WARS #40    $3.99
JUN171048    THOR BY JASON AARON & RUSSELL DAUTERMAN HC VOL 02    $34.99
OCT170984    TRUE BELIEVERS PHOENIX BIZARRE ADVENTURES    $1.00
OCT170983    TRUE BELIEVERS PHOENIX CLASSIC    $1.00
OCT170982    TRUE BELIEVERS PHOENIX RETURNS    $1.00
OCT170865    UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #27 LEG    $3.99
OCT170856    WEAPON X #12 LEG    $3.99
OCT170948    X-MEN BLUE #17 LEG    $3.99

Review: MARVEL LEGACY #1

MARVEL LEGACY No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jason Aaron
ART: Esad Ribic with Steve McNiven
COLORS: Matthew Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
ADDITIONAL ARTISTS: Chris Samnee; Russell Dauterman; Alex Maleev; Ed McGuinness; Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger; Pepe Larraz; Jim Cheung; Daniel Acuña; Greg Land and Jay Leisten; Mike Deodato, Jr.; David Marquez
COVER: Joe Quesada and Kevin Nowlan with Richard Isanove
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Ross; Mark Brooks; John Tyler Christopher; Mike Deodato, Jr.; Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson; Greg Land with Frank D'Armata; Amy Reeder; Skottie Young
64pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (November 2017)

Rated T+

Marvel Legacy #1 is a new one-shot comic book from Marvel Comics.  I don't really know its purpose, other than what I read on the Internet.  After a year of reportedly falling sales of its comic books, Marvel does what it and DC Comics normally do:  initiate a reboot or a re-launch or hit-the-refresh/restart button, etc.  Such a rehash... I mean such a refresh is usually preceded by some kind of large scale publishing event, as it was here.  I guess that was the Secret Empire miniseries and the corresponding tie-ins and spin-offs.

SO I'LL SAVE YOU SOME TIME:  Marvel Legacy #1 has a few entertaining moments, with the best being the Wolverine reveal.  Some of it piqued my interest, but most it fell flat for me.  If you are looking for something exceptional, great, memorable, etc., Marvel Legacy #1 is not it, and it certainly is not worth the $5.99 cover price.  That said, you only need to keep reading this review if you usually enjoy my ramblings...

So here we go again; Marvel Legacy #1 launches the next big start-over.  I have read a lot of web commentary in which people compare this comic book to DC Comics' DC Universe Rebirth from last year.  I don't see the resemblance, and Rebirth has purpose and direction (at least to me), whereas Marvel Legacy #1 reads like a bunch of teasing and anticipation balled up together.

Marvel Legacy #1 has an omniscient narrator, Valeria Richards, the second child of Reed Richards and Sue Storm of the Fantastic Four.  She talks about legacies and begins her narration “One Million Years Ago.”  Something happened back then; that something plus some more bad stuff is coming back today.  Get ready.

Yep, that's it – something wicked this way comes, eventually.  The main story is written by Jason Aaron and drawn mainly by Esad Ribic, with some of it drawn by Steve McNiven.  Interspersed between segments of the main story are some one and two-page excerpts from upcoming Legacy launches – like Mark Waid and Chris Samnee's upcoming run on Captain America (Steve Rogers).

That's what this is all about, right?  A return to original i.e. traditional i.e. “white” characters.  Some believe that Marvel angered its aging white male fan base by recasting too many of its characters as black, Latino, Asian, female or some combination thereof.  Here's an anecdote for you.  For years, white male comic book readers told me that they did not want white comic books or black comic books, but they wanted good comic books.  Okay... Black male Spider-Man, Black female Iron Man, White female Hawkeye, Pan-Asian Muslim Ms. Marvel, White lady Thor are the leads of some very well written comic book series.  I know that because I read them.  But whiny White comic book retailers, clueless comic book corporate middle management, and fans who don't read books they complain about are driving this need for Marvel Comics to reset.

But the real villains here are Marvel Comics' shitty editorial decisions, arrogant management, piss-poor publishing plans, and virtually non-existent marketing.  Marvel Legacy #1 exists for the same reasons Marvel NOW, All-New Marvel NOW, and Marvel Now & Laters existed – all of the above and Marvel's addiction to the sales bump it gets from #1 issues.

Marvel Comics publishes too many comic books and has been doing so for 30 years.  Many of those comic books exist because Marvel will throw a lot of money at “star creators” to produce comics; or because someone will come up with some cute gimmick; or simply to grab more market share; or because a hit Marvel Studios movie will mean launching 10 new comic books directly, indirectly, vaguely, and/or even tangentially related to the movie.  Baby Groot the comic book series, y'all.

Too many titles frustrate readers for various readers, but especially because they cannot keep up with all those new comic books.  Marvel Legacy #1 is another pretend fix for symptoms that arise from Marvel's poor decision making.  That decision making needs a cure; the symptoms will go away after the cure.  For all Marvel's talk of a return to classic Marvel storytelling, next year it will do something like recast all its characters as Buddhists golden retrievers.

Marvel Comics' real legacy is that, no matter who owned Marvel, they never appreciated the artists and writers who really created the characters and stories that made Marvel a business and cultural force.  They held on tightly to Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, and more while being dismissive of the talent, Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, that drew those characters into existence.  Did it ever occur to those bosses how many more great characters and stories creators like Kirby and Ditko would have created for Marvel had the bosses acknowledged them financially and personally in a manner befitting people who multi-million dollar franchises?

So Marvel Legacy #1 epitomizes Marvel's real legacy – the short-sighted, self-serving choices instead of the long term choices that come with more risk and less immediate gratification.  Plus, Marvel Legacy #1 is just another comic book, fast food hamburger off the corporate conveyor belt – granted that there is some rather nice art inside.

C
4 out of 10

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


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

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

Review: GENERATIONS: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor #1

GENERATIONS: THE UNWORTHY THOR & THE MIGHTY THOR No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Jason Aaron
ARTIST: Mahmud Asrar
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER: Mahmud Asrar with Jordie Bellaire
VARIANT COVERS: Olivier Coipel with Jason Keith; Das Pastoras; Alex Ross; Jack Kirby with Paul Mounts; Dale Keown with Jason Keith
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (October 2017)

Rated T+

Thor created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby

“The Thunder”

Generations is Marvel Comics' current event miniseries.  It is a planned 10-issue anthology, published weekly.  Each issue is written and drawn by a different creative team, and each issue will feature a different team-up of a classic Marvel superhero with his or her modern-day counterpart.  The series is meant to unite the legacy of classic Marvel Comics characters with the next generation of heroes as both move into the future of Marvel Comics storytelling.

The fourth issue is Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor, which brings together two versions of a classic Marvel Comics character, Thor.  The first is the classic Odinson, Thor, first introduced in Journey into Mystery #83 (cover date:  August 1962), and is now known as “The Unworthy Thor.”  The second is the new Thor, Jane Foster.  Once she was the love interest of Dr. Donald Blake (who was once Thor... so to speak).  Now, Foster is known as “The Mighty Thor.”  This issue of Generations is written by Jason Aaron; drawn by Mahmud Asrar; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor #1 (“The Thunder”) opens “many years ago” in the “Weapons Hall” of Asgard, the home of the Norse god, Odin, and his subjects, the Asgardians.  Odin's son is trying to lift the enchanted hammer, “Mjolnir.”  Thor is rebuked by his father for his efforts, and is commanded to take on his princely duties.  The son of Odin, however, cannot resist the call/prayers of his followers on Midgard (Earth).  Before long he is leading them into battle against a familiar supervillain and is also facing a rival for Mjolnir.

The purpose of Generations: Banner Hulk & Totally Awesome Hulk #1 was for Bruce Banner to tell the Totally Awesome Hulk/Amadeus Cho that he would not be able to escape all the tragic aspects of the curse of the Hulk.  Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey found two women reluctant and/or incapable of telling each other everything they knew about the curse of The Phoenix

Generations: Wolverine & All-New Wolverine #1 is mainly just a slice-and-dice Wolverine adventure featuring the classic Wolverine and the All-New Wolverine – a well-executed Wolverine slice-and-dice story.  Like the Wolverine tale, Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor #1 is merely a Thor fight comic book featuring two Thors.  It is pointless.  If writer Jason Aaron wanted to emphasize that two beings want possession of Mjolnir and want to be THE Thor, well, he is already doing that in the current Thor comic book.

With Generations, Marvel Comics runs the risk of publishing several issues of an event comic book that read like nothing more than, at behest, mediocre, “Annuals,” published for the sake of being published, or, at worst, filler material.  Once upon a time, there were a lot of comic book writers who could pull off an exemplary stand-alone tale in 30 pages.  Alan Moore springs to mind, but many of the top comics scribes of the 1960s and 1970s could have delivered something better than what Aaron delivers in Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor #1.

Now, I must say that the art here is beautiful.  It is the best work by Mahmud Asrar that I have ever seen.  He is a rapidly growing talent, and here, he gives the hackwork story TLC that it does not deserve.  Jordie Bellaire does a stellar coloring job on Asrar's compositions.  Leave it to Jordie; she'll color the shittiness right of a mediocre comic book, and she just about does that here.  Asrar and Bellaire are the reasons I am not giving Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor #1 a really low grade.

B
6 out of 10

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


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

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

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 11, 2017

MARVEL COMICS

AUG170910    ALL NEW WOLVERINE #25 LEG    $3.99
AUG170779    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #789 LEG    $3.99
AUG170941    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN RENEW YOUR VOWS #12    $3.99
JUL171229    AVENGERS BY BENDIS COMPLETE COLLECTION TP VOL 02    $39.99
JUL171222    AVENGERS STANDOFF TP    $34.99
AUG171053    CAPTAIN AMERICA #695 BY ROSS POSTER    $8.99
AUG171052    CAPTAIN AMERICA #695 BY SAMNEE POSTER    $8.99
AUG170959    DAREDEVIL #27    $3.99
AUG170899    DEFENDERS #6 LEG    $3.99
AUG170830    DESPICABLE DEADPOOL #287 LEG    $3.99
AUG170785    FALCON #1 LEG    $3.99
AUG178163    GENERATIONS BANNER HULK & TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #1 3RD PTG VA    $4.99
JUL178866    GENERATIONS CAPT MARVEL & CAPT MAR-VELL #1 2ND PTG NAKAYAMA    $4.99
AUG178164    GENERATIONS MS MARVEL & MS MARVEL #1 2ND PTG VAR    $4.99
AUG170906    GWENPOOL #21 LEG    $3.99
JUN171066    HOWARD THE DUCK TP COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 04    $34.99
AUG170940    HULK #11    $3.99
JUL171201    INCREDIBLE HULK BY AARON COMPLETE COLLECTION TP    $34.99
AUG170952    INHUMANS ONCE FUTURE KINGS #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
AUG170954    INHUMANS ONCE FUTURE KINGS #3 (OF 5) NOTO CHARACTER VAR    $3.99
JUL171233    MARVEL HORROR MAGAZINE COLLECTION TP    $34.99
AUG170963    MARVEL UNIVERSE GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #23    $2.99
AUG171054    MIGHTY THOR #701 BY ROSS POSTER    $8.99
APR171139    MMW MIGHTY THOR HC VOL 16    $75.00
APR171140    MMW MIGHTY THOR HC VOL 16 DM VAR ED 251    $75.00
AUG170955    MS MARVEL #23    $3.99
AUG171051    PUNISHER #218 BY CRAIN POSTER    $8.99
AUG170977    ROCKET #6    $3.99
AUG170966    RUNAWAYS #2    $3.99
JUL171220    SECRET EMPIRE UNITED WE STAND TP SE    $24.99
JUL171219    SECRET WARRIORS TP VOL 01 SECRET EMPIRE SE    $15.99
AUG171003    STAR WARS DOCTOR APHRA #13    $3.99
AUG178122    STAR WARS READS FREE SAMPLER (BUNDLE OF 25)    $PI
JUL171215    STAR WARS SCREAMING CITADEL TP    $17.99
JUL171198    THOR BY WALTER SIMONSON TP VOL 01 NEW PTG    $24.99
AUG170968    UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #25    $3.99
AUG170870    UNCANNY AVENGERS #28 LEG    $3.99
AUG170965    VISION DIRECTORS CUT #5 (OF 6)    $6.99
AUG170984    WEAPON X #9    $3.99
AUG170863    X-MEN BLUE #13 LEG    $3.99
AUG170936    ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE 2 #3 (OF 4)    $4.99
AUG170937    ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE 2 #3 (OF 4) BUFFAGNI VAR    $4.99

Marvel Comics from Dimaond Distributors for September 27, 2017

MARVEL COMICS

JUL171079    BEN REILLY SCARLET SPIDER #8    $3.99
JUL171114    BLACK PANTHER #18    $3.99
JUL171115    BLACK PANTHER #18 FRISON CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
JUN171065    BLOODSTONE & THE LEGION OF MONSTERS TP    $34.99
JUL171147    CABLE #5    $3.99
JUL171228    DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 19 MAKE WAR NOT LOVE    $34.99
JUL171157    DEADPOOL KILLS MARVEL UNIVERSE AGAIN #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
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JUN178455    FOOM MAGAZINE (BUNDLE OF 25) (Net)    $PI
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JUL178363    GENERATIONS HAWKEYE & HAWKEYE #1 MATTINA 2ND PTG VAR    $4.99
JUL171013    GENERATIONS MORALES & PARKER SPIDER-MAN #1    $4.99
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JUL171129    GUARDIANS OF GALAXY TELLTALE SERIES #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
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JUL171202    INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK BY WAID COMPLETE COLLECTION TP    $39.99
JUL171041    INFAMOUS IRON MAN #12    $3.99
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JUL170990    MARVEL LEGACY #1    $5.99
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Review: THE GODDAMNED #1

THE GODDAMNED No. 1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jason Aaron
ART: r.m. Guéra
COLORS: Giulia Brusco
COVER: r.m. Guéra
VARIANT COVER: Jock
36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2015)

Rated M / Mature

Before the Flood: Part One “The Mark of Cain”

The Goddamned is a new comic book series from writer Jason Aaron and artist r.m. Guéra.  It is set 1600 years after God expelled Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.

The Goddamned #1 (Before the Flood: Part One “The Mark of Cain”) opens somewhere on the edge of an unnamed desert.  A man who is supposed to be dead awakens in pond in which excrement, urine, and dead animals have replaced water.  Naked and driven by vengeance, the man intends on paying a visit to the “Bone Boys,” the men that cut his throat and took his belongs.  The Bones Boys are about to discover that this mystery man cannot be killed.

Jason Aaron and r.m. Guéra were the creative team behind the critically-acclaimed, crime and Western comic book series, Scalped (published by DC Comics/Vertigo), which I have never read.  After reading this first issue of The Goddamned, I'd like to give Scalped a try.

Honestly, I am not sure where this comic book, The Goddamned, is going.  With many comic books, I have a pretty good idea about the direction of the series, in terms of tone, if not also in terms of the narrative.  Since I am curious (for the time being), I will seek out at least the next two issues (if they don't sell out) of The Goddamned, although it mystifies me.

Now, although I am clueless (for the most part), I will still recommend that readers try The Goddamned, especially if they have read other work by Jason Aaron.  This is such a unique reading experience, with a bold and brazen interpretation of pre-Flood, Biblical times, that it is hard to look away from it.  I actually reread portions a few time after my first read.

Another reason to try this comic books is r.m. Guéra because he does some interesting things, illustratively and graphically, that make this comic book worth examining.  So god-damn-it, someone better save me a copy of issue #2

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Review: DOCTOR STRANGE #1

DOCTOR STRANGE (2015) No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Jason Aaron
PENCILS: Chris Bachalo
INKS: Tim Townsend, Al Vey, and Mark Irwin
COLORS: Chris Bachalo
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Chris Bachalo and Tim Townsend
VARIANT COVERS: Neal Adams; John Tyler Christopher; Juan Doe; Eric Henderson; Dave Johnson; Kevin Nowlan; Jakub Rebelka; Skottie Young; Allen Lee Hansard with Mary Cahela and Judy Stephens
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Rated T+

Doctor Strange created by Steve Ditko

“The Way of the Weird”

Doctor Strange is a Marvel Comics superhero character.  Doctor Strange first appeared in Strange Tales #110 (cover dated:  July 1963) and was created by artist Steve Ditko, although Marvel Comics also recognizes Stan Lee as the character's co-creator.

Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange is a brilliant, but egotistical neurosurgeon who only cares about using his career and talents to become wealthy.  A car accident severely damages his hands, ending his ability to perform surgery.  His pride causes him to lose everything, but his encounter with the Ancient One changes him.  Doctor Strange becomes the “Sorcerer Supreme,” the “Master of the Mystic Arts,” who is the primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats from wherever they may come.

As part of the “All-New All-Different Marvel” initiative, Marvel Comics is launching a new Doctor Strange comic book series.  The new series is written by Jason Aaron; drawn and colored by Chris Bachalo, with inking by Tim Townsend, Al Vey and Mark Irwin; and lettered by Cory Petit.

Doctor Strange #1 (“The Way of the Weird”) with Strange battling possession in the Netherworld.  After a day of battling soul-eaters and a psychic-leech, Strange sees a pattern.  Something bad is coming.  Plus, Strange meets Doctor Voodoo, Shaman, and the Scarlet Witch.

I am intrigued by some of the elements presented in this new series, but I don't know that this is a title that I would buy every month.  If you have ever seen Chris Bachalo's art, and you have because he has been a Marvel Comics stable pony for over a decade, then, this comic book will look familiar to you.  Maybe some of it looks like Bachalo's work on Neil Gaiman's Death comic book miniseries.  Anyway, I can't recommend this, not because it is bad, but because I don't see myself being a regular reader of this new Doctor Strange.  So why should I suggest that you be?

Now, there is also a five-age epilogue written by Aaron and drawn by the great Kevin Nowlan (who also draws one of this #1 issue's variant covers).  For a long time, Nolan has been known as a comic book artist's artist, and Nowlan's five pages are worth every penny of this book's cover price.  I will come back to this title if there is more Nowlan.

[This volume includes a bonus story written by Jason Aaron; drawn and colored by Kevin Nowlan; and lettered by VC's Cory Petit.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Review: STAR WARS #8

STAR WARS (2015) No. 8
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[A version of this review first appeared on Patreon. And visit the "Star Wars Central" review page.]

STORY: Jason Aaron
PENCILS: Stuart Immonen
INKS:  Wade von Grawbadger
COLORS: Justin Ponsor
LETTERS: VC's Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger with Justin Ponsor
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2015)

Rated T

Book II, Part I: “Showdown on the Smugglers' Moon”

I have already reviewed two issues of Marvel Comics' revival of its Star Wars comic book series, which began earlier this year and now includes two other ongoing series and two miniseries (thus far).  I reviewed Star Wars issues #1 and #7.  I did not expect to review another issue of Star Wars for at least half a year.

However, Star Wars #8 (“Showdown on the Smugglers' Moon”) introduces the new art team of penciler Stuart Immonen and inker Wade von Grawbadger.  As a team, they are known for their work on writer Brian Bendis' All-New X-Men and on All-New Captain America, in which Sam Wilson/The Falcon becomes the new Captain America.

When last we left our heroes (Star Wars #6), Princess Leia and Han Solo were traveling together, searching the galaxy for a suitable site for a new base for the Rebel Alliance.  They ran afoul of Imperial patrol ships and ended up landing on a remote planet in an uncharted region of the Outer Rim.  There, they have an even more shocking encounter when they meet a woman named Sana Solo, who claims to be Han's wife.  Sana is thinking about killing Han and selling out Leia, but the Imperials have plans of their own to pursue their quarry rebels.

Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker has just left his home world of Tatooine, where he discovered the secret journal left for him by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi a.k.a. “Old Ben Kenobi.”  However, Luke believes that he needs more information than what he has thus far found in the journal, if he is going to become a true Jedi.  So he decides to travel to the former home of the Jedi, but first he makes a stop on Nar Shaddaa, “The Smuggler's Moon.”

I must be honest and admit that I was shocked by the art that Stuart Immonen and Wade von Grawbadger delivered for their debut issue.  Combined with Justin Ponsor's gorgeous coloring, this team has delivered stellar work that blends the best of Adam Hughes, Bryan Hitch, and Kevin Nowlan.  Both in terms of graphical storytelling and style, Stuart and Wade create a kind of Star Wars comic book art that is classic Star Wars.  In addition, their Star Wars also recalls the vivid colors and snappy adventure storytelling of Marvel's 2014 Guardians of the Galaxy film.

Once again, the creators of a Marvel Star Wars comic book title have me chomping at the bit to read the next issue.  In the case of Star Wars, I am not ashamed to be a fanboy.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 11, 2015

IMAGE COMICS

JUL150582     68 LAST RIGHTS #3 CVR A JONES & FOTOS (MR)     $3.99
JUL150583     68 LAST RIGHTS #3 CVR B ZORNOW & FOTOS (MR)     $3.99
AUG150526     8HOUSE #5 YORRIS PART TWO (MR)     $2.99
JUL150528     AIRBOY #4 (MR)     $2.99
SEP150519     ASTRONAUTS IN TROUBLE #6     $2.99
SEP150520     AUTUMNLANDS TOOTH & CLAW #7 (MR)     $2.99
SEP150521     BIRTHRIGHT #11 CVR A BRESSAN & LUCAS     $2.99
SEP150522     BIRTHRIGHT #11 CVR B KETNER     $2.99
SEP150523     CODENAME BABOUSHKA: CONCLAVE OF DEATH #2 CVR A CHANKHAMMA     $3.99
SEP150524     CODENAME BABOUSHKA: CONCLAVE OF DEATH #2 CVR B DEL DUCA     $3.99
SEP150502     DESCENDER #7 CVR A NGUYEN     $2.99
SEP150503     DESCENDER #7 CVR B GREEN     $2.99
SEP150525     DOUBLE D GN BOOK 01     $9.99
AUG150530     DRIFTER #9 CVR A KLEIN (MR)     $3.50
AUG150531     DRIFTER #9 CVR B AZACETA (MR)     $3.50
SEP150527     FASTER THAN LIGHT #3     $2.99
SEP150528     FATALE DLX ED HC VOL 02 (MR)     $49.99
SEP150529     GODDAMNED #1 CVR A GUERA (MR)     $3.99
SEP150530     GODDAMNED #1 CVR B JOCK (MR)     $3.99
SEP150538     LIMBO #1 (MR)     $2.99
SEP150510     MORNING GLORIES TP VOL 09     $12.99
JUL150632     MYTHIC #5 (MR) CVR A MCCREA & HUGHES     $3.99
SEP158315     MYTHIC #5 CVR B CHURILLA (MR)     $3.99
SEP150541     POSTAL FBI DOSSIER #1 CVR A SEJIC     $3.99
SEP150542     POSTAL FBI DOSSIER #1 CVR B GOODHART     $3.99
AUG150516     SOUTHERN BASTARDS #12 (MR)     $3.50
SEP150516     THOUGHT BUBBLE ANTHOLOGY 2015 #5     $3.99
SEP150548     WALKING DEAD #148 (MR)     $2.99
SEP150549     WICKED & DIVINE #16 CVR A MCKELVIE & WILSON (MR)     $3.50
SEP150550     WICKED & DIVINE #16 CVR B DEL DUCA (MR)     $3.50
SEP150551     WOLF TP VOL 01 (MR)     $9.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

APR158082     WALKING DEAD TV MICHONNE 10IN DLX AF     PI
AUG150647     WALKING DEAD TV MORGAN DLX BOX SET     PI