#IReadsYou Review: HISTORY OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #1

HISTORY OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Mark Waid
PENCILS: Javier Rodríguez
INKS: Álvaro López
COLORS: Javier Rodríguez
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
EDITOR: Tom Brevoort
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
MISC. ART: Phil Noto
COVER: Steve McNiven and Mark Farmer with Sunny Gho
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Nick Bradshaw with John Rauch; John Buscema with Jason Keith; David Marquez with Matthew Wilson; Javier Rodríguez and Álvaro López
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (September 2019)

Rated T

History of the Marvel Universe is a comic book miniseries that chronicles completely, for the first time, everything that was, is, or will be in the Marvel Universe.  History of the Marvel Universe is written by Mark Waid; drawn by Javier Rodríguez (pencils/colors) and Álvaro López (inks); and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

History of the Marvel Universe #1 opens at “the End of Time.”  There, Franklin Richards and the planet-devouring Galactus await the final death of the universe.  Although both will move to the universe born of the death of this one, Richards is concerned about memories.  Before it all ends, he wants the history of this universe to have meant something.  Richards asks Galactus to help him remember everything.  Thus, Galactus recounts the history of this universe, beginning with a first chapter.  It starts at the so-called “Big Bang” and ends both in the Wild West of The Rawhide Kid and The Two-Gun Kid and in the wild north of Canada where a boy named James Howlett emerges.

There is no doubt about it.  Marvel Comics' History of the Marvel Universe #1 has more than a passing resemblance to DC Comics' 1986, two-issue miniseries, History of the DC Universe.  It is true that Mark Waid and Javier Rodríguez could find no better template than the one writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez laid down in History of the DC Universe.

Some people consider Mark Waid an unofficial Marvel Comics historian; I imagine some people at Marvel probably think that.  Waid does a good job gathering the varied “histories” about the beginnings, the ancient times, the recent centuries, etc. that have been depicted in five decades of Marvel Comics titles.  Waid also mixes in threads from Marvel's predecessor Timely Comics and the two decades of material the predates the publication of The Fantastic Four #1.  Of course, Waid has to take into consideration decades of “retcons,” in which Marvel Comics scribes went back and changed things after the fact – the Avengers of one million years ago, introduced in Avengers #1 (2018).  I won't say that this first issue is a great read, but there are some interesting bits in this first issue.

I can say that I love the art team of Javier Rodríguez (pencils/colors) and Álvaro López.  Here, they don't have to engage in graphical storytelling, so much as they have to draw pictures that illustrate Mark Waid's text.  [Waid's script is presented in caption boxes, not word balloons, all well-crafted by Joe Caramagna.]  Their art reminds me of art of Alan Davis.

Speaking of which, Davis' longtime inker, Mark Farmer, inks Steve McNiven's cover pencil art – with excellent results.  So, in conclusion, History of the Marvel Universe #1 is an occasionally interesting curiosity, but honestly, you, dear readers, don't need to read it to enjoy Marvel Comics titles.  History of the Marvel Universe #1 is not the monumental work that Marvel Comics' monumental history deserves.  [I think the history of the Marvel Universe would be best told in a long-running, ongoing comic book series, which won't happen.]

6 out of 10

[This comic book includes four pages of annotations, which list the Marvel Comics publications which acted as reference for the story in History of the Marvel Universe #1.]

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.

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Review: AVENGERS No. 1.1

AVENGERS No. 1.1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Mark Waid
PENCILS: Barry Kitson
INKS: Mark Farmer
COLORS: Jordan Boyd
LETTERS: Ferran Delgado
COVER: Barry Kitson with Jordan Boyd
VARIANT COVERS: Alan Davis and Mark Farmer with Matt Yackey; Alex Maleev; John Tyler Christopher
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2017)

Rated “T+”

Avengers created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

The Avengers are a Marvel Comics team of superheroes.  The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 (cover dated:  September 1963) and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.  Known as “Earth's Mightiest Heroes,” the Avengers had an original line-up of Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Ant Man, and The Wasp.  Captain America, a 1940s character from Timely Comics (Marvel's precursor), joined the team in The Avengers #4 (cover dated:  March 1964).

With The Avengers #16 (cover dated:  May 1965), every member of the Avengers, except Captain America, quit the team.  Replacing them were three former villains:  Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch.  Marvel Comics revisits those early years of the “new” Avengers in the new comic book series, Avengers 1.1.  It is written by Mark Waid; drawn by Barry Kitson (pencils) and Mark Farmer (inks); colored by Jordan Boyd; and lettered by Ferran Delgado.

Avengers #1.1 opens with “Avengers Assemble” as Thor, Iron Man, Giant-Man (formerly Ant-Man), and the Wasp take on the members of the Masters of Evil:  The Black Knight, The Enchantress, The Executioner, and The Mysterious Melter.  After that battle, the remaining original Avengers decide to quit the team.  Now, Captain America is left alone to deal with three new Avengers who have controversial pasts.  Now, an enemy is prepared to take advantage of this awkward moment in the history of “Earth's Mightest Heroes.”

I am a fan of Silver Age comic books, especially those published by Marvel and DC Comics.  However, I am not necessarily a fan of modern comic books that try to retell those stories in a faux-retro style.  [After all, Marvel and DC Comics often retell stories they originally published in the 1960s with a modern spin via remakes or re-imaginings.]

I am a fan of Avengers #1.1 for two reasons.  The first reason is writer Mark Waid, who always seems to have the Midas touch when writing comic books that retell stories from the 1960s or at least tries to recapture the spirit of those comic books.  I can't quite describe it, but Waid gets it right with this first issue.

The second reason is artist Barry Kitson.  His clean compositions recall the classic mid-century modern and “New York slick” aesthetic of classic 1960s Marvel Comics.  It helps that Kitson's inker for this issue is Mark Farmer, known for inking the pencil art of Alan Davis.  Davis' comic book art has a timeless quality that looks like it could belong in any comic book era, and here, Farmer makes Kitson's storytelling resemble Davis's.

I am excited about Avengers 1.1 (or Avengers .1)  As long as Mark Waid is writing and artists like Barry Kitson are drawing this Avengers title, I will read it, although I generally avoid Avengers comic book series...

A-

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.

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Review: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #593

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN No. 593
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: Stefano Caselli; Alex Maleev
COLORS: Marte Gracia; Alex Maleev
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Adi Granov
VARIANT COVERS: Alan Davis and Mark Farmer with Matt Yackey; John Tyler Christopher with Stefano Caselli and Marte Gracia; Mike McKone with Rachelle Rosenberg; Chip Zdarsky; Jack Kirby with Frank Giacola
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Rated “T+”

Iron Man created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby

“The Search for Tony Stark” Part One

One could be forgiven for thinking that there was a new Iron Man #1 comic book of some type every year, and that would not be far from the truth.  I think that going back to 1999, there have been close to 10 Iron Man #1's of one type or another, if not more.

Thanks to Marvel Comics' new “Legacy” initiative, Iron Man goes back to its original numbering (plus several relaunch numbers) and the result is Invincible Iron Man #593.  The creative team behind the most recent Invincible Iron Man relaunch (which was just a year ago) remains for the “Legacy” launch.  That would be writer Brian Michael Bendis; artist Stefano Caselli; colorist Marte Gracia; and letterer Clayton Cowles, with International Iron Man and Infamous Iron Man artist/colorist, Alex Maleev joining the team.

With Tony Stark out of commission (following events depicted in Civil War II), Riri Williams, a teenage girl and genius, and Victor Von Doom, formerly the super-villain Doctor Doom, have taken on the mantle of Iron Man.  Riri does so as the armored hero, Ironheart.

As Invincible Iron Man #593 opens, Tony Stark's comatose body has disappeared.  Riri joins Amanda Armstrong (Tony's birth mother); Mary Jane Watson (chosen by Tony to run Stark Industries); and Friday (an artificial intelligence Tony created to help him) in the search for Tony Stark.  They better hurry!  Stark Industries' Board of Directors is making bold moves.  Meanwhile, the Infamous Iron Man Victor von Doom has to find some escaped prisoners.

I had high hopes for the 11-issue run of Invincible Iron Man starring Riri Williams, and writer Brian Michael Bendis delivered.  Riri is the most fascinating female character of color in superhero comic books since the X-Men's Storm, specifically during the first decade of Storm's existence as written by Chris Claremont.  Riri is a well-developed character, and would be fascinating even if she were not in a superhero comic book.  Her imagination and inquisitiveness are infectious; I want to learn with her and be by her side inventing stuff.

But many of the white dudes that read comics and control the means of production (allegedly) ain't having it.  It is time to bring the white Iron Man back.  Seriously, Brian Bendis writing about Riri the armored character “Ironheart” in Invincible Iron Man and about Victor von Doom trying to be good guy as Iron Man in Infamous Iron Man did some stellar work.  In my decades as a Marvel Comics reader, I have never read better Iron Man comic books than what Bendis wrote, and he was doing it twice a month.

Bendis recently announced that he has signed as an exclusive creator with DC Comics, leaving Marvel after nearly 20 years.  I don't know who will replace him on Iron Man, and I don't think the new writer (who will obviously be a white male) can match Bendis.  If he does, I doubt he can do it on two monthly books.

So this first issue of “The Search for Tony Stark,” which is probably Bendis' last Iron Man story arc (for a while at least), is a nice start, and the ending of this issue is quite intriguing.

A
8 out of 10

Thursday, December 21, 2017


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

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Review: Hickman's Writing is Great in AVENGERS #39

AVENGERS #39
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Jonathan Hickman
ART: Mike Deodato
COLORS: Frank Martin
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Alan Davis and Mark Farmer with Brad Anderson
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

“You Can't Win: Part 1”

This is how you kick off a new story arc.  Jonathan Hickman tells the story in a message from Reed Richards to Val Ventura.  Back in the day, we would have called this a letter, but I don't know, now.  Is this an email, a post on Facebook, a tweet, or Instagram?  This social media stuff is just moving so fast that I can't keep up.

Knowing Reed, he probably found a way to insert it into one of Val's genes and it will manifest itself after Val goes through puberty.  Reed is teaching Val how to make plans.  He is using the Illuminati's conflict with Captain America and S.H.I.E.L.D. to illustrate the lesson.  Hickman's use of the chess piece to let us know that these plans are strategies for winning a war, not landscaping.

Everything about this story is grandiose, or if you prefer, it goes hard.  Cap falls into Reed's trap when he knows it is a trap.  War Machine is stretching himself to limits that may kill him.  Captain Marvel is talking stuff about the Hulk.  The action is spectacular.  I am talking about “are you read to rumble?!” action.  Hickman entertains us on multiple levels.  This is one of those times that reading a comic book added something to my life.

Visceral as well as cerebral:  the scene with Captain Marvel and the Hulk shows us why you need to be able to do what you say you can do.  I won't tell the end of the story, but I will say that Reed teaches Cap and Val the lesson well.

Hickman is a master at telling team stories.  Reed was the focus of this story, but all of the characters have their individual moments.  I'll say this again:  the ending is awesome.  Hickman tells a great epic while giving us great insight into the character of Reed Richards.  If this is the set-up, then, the rest of this arc will be something at which to Marvel.  Yeah, I said that corny bull.  Hickman has given us stories worthy of comic's ultimate team.

The art is pleasing to the eyes.  The facial expressions of the characters helps to depict what is happening in the story.  I said that the story was grandiose, and the art follows in the same vein.  The art is big without giving you the feeling that it 's just taking up space.  The only criticism that I have is that the colors are too dark.  I like my Avengers bright.

I give Avengers #39 a rating of “Recommend it to a Friend,” #1 (of 5) – the top rating on the Al-O-Meter.  If you're a comic book fan you need to be reading this book.

Reviewed by Albert Avilla


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

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I Reads You Review: SAVAGE HULK #1

SAVAGE HULK #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER/PENCILS: Alan Davis
INKS: Mark Farmer
COLORS: Matt Hollingsworth
LETTERS: VC’s Clayton Cowles
COVER: Alan Davis and Mark Farmer with Val Staples
VARIANT COVER: John Cassaday with Paul Mounts; Alex Ross
28pp, Color, $3.99 (August 2014)

Rated T+

“The Man Within”

Savage Hulk is a new comic book starring one of Marvel Comics’ seminal characters, the Hulk.  Like Savage Wolverine did with Wolverine, Savage Hulk will feature the Hulk in standalone story arcs produced by some of Marvel’s top creative talent.  […big names, super stars and break out talent…” says Savage Hulk editor Mark Paniccia]

Savage Hulk’s first story arc is being produced by a comics creator who truly can be called a “superstar,” veteran writer, artist, and writer/artist, the great Alan Davis.  Davis is writing and penciling Savage Hulk with his longtime collaborator, Mark Farmer, inking his pencils.  To start things off with an incredible Hulk bang, Davis is teaming the Hulk with a group of characters that are familiar to Davis, the X-Men.  Davis is essentially writing a sequel to X-Men #66 (cover dated:  March 1970), which featured the original X-Men against the Hulk.

Savage Hulk #1 (“The Man Within”) recaps a battle between the Hulk and the X-Men: Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Beast, and Iceman.  The X-Men needed the help of Bruce Banner, the Hulk’s alter ego, to bring their teacher and leader, Professor Charles Xavier out of a coma.  They succeed in getting a device from Banner that helps Xavier; now, the Professor wants to return the favor and help Banner.

Joined by Polaris and Havok, the X-Men return to the last place they saw Banner.  However, long-time Hulk nemesis, The Leader, has been monitoring the actions of Hulk and the X-Men.  Now, he is ready to launch his latest diabolical scheme against the Savage Hulk.

My review of Savage Hulk #1 is this:  I like Alan Davis.  I enjoy the clean, straight-forward way that Davis tells superhero stories with a mix of soap opera and the kind of weird fantasy that is unique to comic books.  Thus, I thoroughly enjoyed Davis’ Savage Hulk #1.  I’m ready for the next issue, and I wish someone at Marvel Comics would encourage Davis to do more comics starring the original X-Men.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

I Reads You Review: WOLVERINE #1

WOLVERINE (2013) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Paul Cornell
PENCILS: Alan Davis
INKS: Mark Farmer
COLORS: Matt Hollingsworth
LETTERS: VC’s Cory Petit
COVER: Alan Davis and Mark Farmer with Jason Keith
VARIANT COVERS: Olivier Coipel; Salvador Larroca and Frank D’Armata; Humberto Ramos and Edgar Delgado; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 (May 2013)

Parental Advisory

Until Demon Knights #1 (DC Comics, 2011), I disliked every comic book written by Paul Cornell that I read.  Now, I have found another one that has really grabs my imagination.  It is the new eponymous Wolverine comic book, part of the Marvel NOW initiative that has seen the re-launch of several Marvel titles.

Wolverine is written by Cornell and drawn penciller Alan Davis and his longtime inker, Mark Farmer.  This new series is not specifically a team-up series, but it will apparently feature some surprising guest appearances by Marvel characters, both the familiar, the surprising, and the unusual.

Trying to stay relatively spoiler free, I will say that Wolverine #1 (“Hunting Season” Part 1 of 4) opens with Wolverine in a bad way.  The cause is Robert Gregson, a 41-year-old man on a murderous rampage, and Gregson’s young son, Alex, may be the only person who can help Wolverine put an end to a massacre.

To me, Wolverine #1 simply works because Cornell manages to put Wolverine in a perilous situation, one in which he actually seems imperiled.  The longer these superhero characters are published, the more they become like indestructible demigods and the less like fragile humans with special abilities, which is what most Marvel characters are in their beginnings.  However, without revealing spoilers, I can say that I certainly thought Wolverine would be killed, and that made Wolverine #1 an exciting read.

The other reason I like this comic book is Alan Davis.  I love this comic book artist, and it is always a joy to read comic books drawn by Davis – even when the story isn’t that good.  He brings humanity to the characters, emphasizing their vulnerability over their super powers.  I look forward to following this Wolverine series – especially if both Cornell and Davis keep delivering the good stuff.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

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