X-Men Gold #10

EN' KANE pt 1

Written by Marc Guggenheim

Penciled by Lan Medina

Cover by Ken Lashley
Published Aug 23, 2017

   In Russia, a young girl runs for her life. Sadly she isn't much of a match for the re-animated Omega Red, undead enemy of the X-Men and reborn at the hands of the Russian mafia. Meanwhile back at the mansion, the Gold team plays cards but can't seem to defeat Logan. Kitty brings dinner out and her and Peter share a flirtations moment, much to their embarrassment when suddenly the phone rings.

Who dis?!

   Peter gets a shock. Supposedly the uncle he never knew he had has looked him up. He'd followed his nephew's adventures in America. But unfortunately there's grave news from Moscow. The man's russian mafia boss has returned to life one of the most sadistic killers of all time - Omega Red.
   The X-Men board the Blackbird and Logan explains who they're dealing with. Basically a serial killer who was put in a secret weapons program and given a mutant healing factor. They enter Russian airspace and Peter works to lobby his sister to the cause. The Rasputin siblings walk to the meeting spot with Logan and Kitty watching from afar. Storm flies overhead with the rest of the team hiding as well. Their uncle walks up and exchanges pleasantries, though Magik is skeptical.

Oh you remember me?! Good old uncle blah blah! I was in Uncanny X-Men Volume 6 #241.

 He tells them how Omega Red's resurrection is temporary. He needs blood to live - proof that even his ability to do that for long is in jeopardy. Suddenly they're surrounded by Komolov's superpowered thugs. The X-Men leap into action and defeat the mobsters thanks to teamwork and Storm's lightning, though when the smoke clears, the mobsters are gone. And worse yet - Illyana is missing.

Aw shit. Somebody's about to get stabbed!

   The goons walk her into a chamber to meet the gangster's leader. He has a use for her. Just then Arkady Rossovich, the undead super mutant looks down upon her.. and with that we're left to be continued.
    Omega Red has got to be one of the greatest X-Men foes of all time. Born during the classic Jim Lee series of the 90's, he's been reintroduced a few times with each time a little more savage than before. Someone like this deserves a skilled team to take him on and I think this group is more than affable to handle it. I've been looking forward to this showdown and can't wait to see how it goes this time. I give this issue a 9/10.

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Daredevil #24

SUPREME pt 4

Written by Charles Soule
Penciled by Alec Morgan
Cover by David Lopez
Published July 19, 2017

   Matt Murdoch sits in the DA's office. Fresh off of a loss, his boss is clearly irritated he allowed him to put a vigilante like Daredevil on the stand. Matt still sees a chance to win... appealing it all the way to the top but as the DA says - he's running out of friends. Meanwhile in Midtown, Wilson Fisk congratulates his lawyer on defeating Murdoch though he obviously has a hard time taking the compliment.. He goes to leave but the Kingpin reminds him - if Murdock appeals, it isn't over. His assistant walks in and Fisk makes sure that plan B is still in place should the system fail him.

So we're still on for that...thing?

   In Hells Kitchen, Foggy Nelson walks a date into a dive bar. Everything's going great until a certain ex-best friend walks up. Knowing he'd probably be at a dive a few locks from his place, Matt asks him about the Slugansky trial and Foggy tells him he's a laughing stock. 

Foggy still being a hater.

He tells him he's taking it all the way to the Supreme Court and asks if Foggy would help write the appeal. Foggy reminds him with the Purple children, he got a chance to reset. Well - Foggy reset too.
   Suddenly Tombstone walks in. Matt Murdock is in trouble. And this time there's no She-Hulk to get him out of it. 

Wait... is that Tombstone?

Matt dumps water on a newspaper and throws it on the hot dog grill. As smoke fills the air, Tombstone gets hit in the face with a bottle. Under the cover of smoke, an unmasked Daredevil pelts the bad guys with pool balls and beats Tombstone with a pool cue until the cops show and they scatter.
   Foggy asks him if Tombstone knows he's Daredevil and he says no. It's a Matt Murdock thing.. Someone's afraid. Matt goes on to stay how Daredevil is his own worst enemy and how he could really use a friend more than anything. Foggy asks why he should help him.. After all he's done. Matt finally tells him.. it's because he's sorry. For everything. Foggy tells him it took him long enough. But get ready.. because they're going to the Supreme Court. And with that, we're left to be continued.

BFF's AGAIN!

   Another fantastic issue. Only thing that suffers mightily here is the artwork. I know Daredevil isn't a big seller but with the writing that's being put into this, it deserves better. I was really digging the minimalist vibe Ron Garney worked with but most of the others that have followed him have been pretenders. Still, the story is enough to keep it on track. I give it a 7/0.

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All New Guardians of the Galaxy #8

ROBBIN' & STEALIN'

Written by Gerry Duggan
Penciled by Marcus To
Cover by Aaron Kuder
Published August 16, 2017
   The team works dillegently on Rocket, desperate to save him from the poison one of the Raptors infected him with. Peter suits up and using the one nega-band he has, boards their ship and attacks.. 

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

   He punches Talonar through the side of the ship. There with each of them having one of the bands, they face off. An explosion knocks them from space and onto the surface of a nearby planet. Meanwhile back on the Milano, Gamora needs Rocket's assistance on how to get the ship moving again while Groot tries to comfort him.
   Back on the planet, Talonar crashes as well. Peter demands the antidote for Rocket's poison but their fight continues. As Quill tries to rise, the Raptor stomps on his helmet, eventually triggering an explosion. In the confusion, Star Lord gets the upperhand and drags the "Darkhawk cover band" back to it's ship.

Come with me if you want to live!

   He drags Taloner into a lab, who tells him his friend is probably already dead. Through some negotiating, he gets the antidote. Using the band to open a portal, he throws the other into it, sending the Raptor scrambling after it. In parts unknown, he later finds himself on a planet destroyed by Ultron, with likely quite a battle on the horizon.

So... you guys ever read Darkhawk back in the 90's?

   Star Lord reaches his ship with antidote in hand. Finding Rocket in a baby carrier strapped to Gamora, he administers the drug. Later he has to tell Gamora that he lost the other band - an item that could have curried favor with the Grandmaster. The issue wraps with Groot looking like he's finally sensing what might be keeping him from regenerating. One of the seedlings the mystery man has been cultivating now walks hulkingly with various body parts in his path. He says "I AM HUNGRY!!!" and with that, we're left to be continued.

I. Am. Hangry!

   When I was a kid, one of the first Marvel series I was actually able to hold the #1 issue in my hands for was Darkhawk. I actually still have it in my collection. Marvel Legacy is bringing back the 51st issue as a one shot to the series. Seeing the Raptors is a cool little homage and it makes me psyched to see how the character has held up. As far as this issue, it was great. The fact that a nega-band is so rare, and that Quill would fight over and barter them to save his best friend is telling. Great artwork from new penciler Marcus To as well. I give this one a 10/10.

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Astonishing X-Men #2

Life Of X pt. 2

Written by Charles Soule
Penciled by Mike Deodoto Jr
Cover by Mike Deodoto Jr
Published Aug 16, 2017

   The X-Men find themselves in on the Astral Plane, and in treat for a show. Only problem is it's one they've seen before. The story of the X-Men ... brought to them by the Shadow King. The two architects of the program - Farouk and Charles Xavier, discuss among themselves the setting. Next move though belongs to Professor X.

I got next!

   Meanwhile above the London skyline, Bishop and Angel stand guard over Psylocke. She tells them that the players are no strangers to the plane although Bishop has reservations. In the sky and around the building, the military aircraft circle. The Ministry of defense is completely attuned to what's happening. They order a two kilometer evacuation order and for the man in charge, trouble could loom on the horizon.
   On the astral plane, the play contunues. It shifts back and forth from lovelives of the X-Men but the players keep shifting. The move is Xavier's doing. Farouk declares an early victory because the players don't seem to notice, but his opponent reminds him the game has just begun. When the play wanders into the death of the dark Phoenix, a Jean Gray copy tries to put a move on her old crush, Logan. He notices something is off. When he shifts into his old blue and yellow costume, Farouk again declares victory but this time, Logan is positive. He puts his claws through the doppelgänger and the stage actors declare war on the audience.

Wolverine's like "I really wanna dig this... but you're a zombie.."

   The team realizes that they're in a false reality, much to the Shadow King's chagrin, and Rogue gives them the order to start kicking heads off. They all have a hard time understanding how they fell for it, all except for Logan. The reason why? The smell - Beast was the morphing Mystique all along. Rogue tells Fantomex to shoot her, but through her explanation, she hates the Shadow King as well. Eventually they stand before a series of doors. They realize that while it was all an act, it was like someone was putting enough red flags to get their attention. They open a door and Mystique walks through before Gambit kicks his friend Fantomex as it as well.
   The issue wraps with Rogue, Logan, and Gambit standing before another door. Logan reminds them that someone is obviously fighting the Shadow King... Don't forget that. Meanwhile, the stakes to the competition are revealed. It Farouk wins, the X-Men's souls are his forever. If Charles wins, he gets the opportunity to kill his former students to give them a shred of dignity. With that, this issue is left to be continued.

Alright. You know the deal.

   One of the most interesting things about this group of X-Men is that Charles Soule wants you to know they were brought together by chance. It's not like they have a mansion headquarters or even a Blackbird. Instead, it's a series of heroes you know from various eras and books and puts them in situations you've never seen them together in. That's cool.. And while I lamented in the previous issue how Logan is largely unnecessary, it's still isn't lost on me that they could have put another character in his place and made this book just a tiny bit cooler. Either way it is what it is. And it's not bad. I give it an 8/10.

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Justice League #27

LEGACY pt 2

Written by Bryan Hitch

Penciled by Fernando Pasarin
Cover by Bryan Hitch
Published Aug 16, 2017

   The children of the Justice League tour the Watchtower for the first time in a long time. Cyborg scans them while their parents naturally have a hard time with the info. Three of them are Green Lantern Jessica's, one of which was fathered by Flash and named after Barry's mom. Wonder Woman knows their telling the truth and is confronted by her supposed son - angry that she allegedly abandoned him. He grabs her lasso and confirms it - while Jessica calms her future, and currently very upset daughter. 

Way to go, mom!

   Superman tells everybody to take a breath. Jessica and Flash's children have a moment with them while Cyborg meets his son Cube. Dory meets her Queen mother, Mera who's quite happy to meet her in return while Hunter explains how Superman adopted him. Simon asks if any of them are his, and they inform him that he became head of the Yellow Lanterns after killing Sinestro.
   Cube syncs with Cyborg and shows them why they're there. They had normal childhood lives, but a superhuman war took their parents from them. Before they left, they hid the children away and never returned. Mera's daughter claimed her throne in Atlantis but an evil presence known as Sovereign smashed Olympus into the Earth and now rules it. 

Kinda just looks like a girl Ultron. Somebody get Marvel's lawyers on the horn.

   Obviously a lot to take in, the League offers to take the children in. Jessica and Flash make arrangements, Superman calls Lois and Mera plans to bring Dory back to Atlantis. The kids discuss just enjoying the moment and NOT disclosing the reason they're actually there while an emotional Wonder Woman broods.
   The issue wraps at the Batcave. Batman continues research on the Kindred but his computer is acting odd. They're signals are being targeted to earth. Batman tries to send the signal to the Watchtower but the computer refrences playing a game with Aquaman. Smoke fills the room and Batman is knocked bloody and unconscious by the future Cyborg infused Aquaman.. With that we're left to be continued.

Cable?!

   If there's one thing that I've noticed about most team-ups in comics, it's there's gonna be a lot of words. This Justice League book is clearly no exception, but considering the story, I'm totally ok with it. I'm sure this is is the launch of a new title like Justice Kids or Teen Justice League or the New Teen Justice League Titans but either way, it works. Bryan Hitch's writing is excellent. I just wish he'd pencil it to because Pasarin's art makes everyone's faces look juiced up and meaty. That's my only complain and yeah.. it's a stretch. I give this one a 9/10

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X-Men Blue #9

Written by Cullen Bunn

Penciled by Cory Smith
Cover by Arthur Adams
Published Aug 16, 2017

   In the mutant nation of New Tian, Danger distracts the new brotherhood while Jean and Jimmy try to escape a battle between Polaris and her ex-lover Havok. She orders them to leave and they heed her call. Down the hallway, they get past some armed guards and telepathically, Marvel Girl removes the dampeners from Angel, Iceman, and Beast.

CHA-CHING!

   Jimmy stabs through the cell door and they walk in, freeing most of the trapped X-Men and now desperate to save Cyclops from Emma Frost. Meanwhile, the battle between Polaris and Havok rages, they find Briar Raleigh, and Danger holds former New Mutants turned Brotherhood of Evil Mutants at bay.
   Suddenly the door bursts open and Emma and a mind controlled Cyclops and Xorn burst in. She quickly overpowers Beast's magic and the battle between them continues. Finally Jean is able to stop Scott for a minute and get through to him. She needs him back. She needs him to fight. Emma is rewriting his peronality. Jean fights back and Emma's concentration breaks. All it takes is a moment and the pacifist Xorn is able to resist. 

I H8 JEAN 4-EVA!!

   Scott blasts her and they make a break for it. With only a few brotherhood lackeys in the way, they storm through them, with Warren of course asking Firestar for a date first. Safe on the blackbird, it's revealed Magneto sent Polaris and Danger to babysit the young X-Men. Odder yet, Jean and Scott now share an even deeper psychic connection.
   The issue wraps with Captain America and Magneto having a discussion. Cap is upset that Magneto hasn't been able to reign in his X-Men. Magneto sees it a different way. Beneath Utopia, Emma and Havok walk towards a basement talking about how New Tian is on borrowed time. The next phase reveals Bastion and Miss Sinister. Things are about to get heavy but we'll have to wait, as this issue is left to be continued.

We've literally been here the whole time!

   I'm curious if the newly shared connection between Jean and Scott reveals the two of them getting closer in issues to come. It's an interesting situation. Scott has tried to kiss her before but she kind of shut him down. Nobody said their future has to necessarily go the way their past dictated. It's a subject Cullen Bunn has navigated before and I'm looking forward to see which way he takes it. This issue was pretty good. I'm ready to close the book on Secret Empire and so are the X-Men. I give this one a 9/10.

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Royals #6

THE STRANGERS CAME TODAY

Written by Al Ewing
Penciled by Kevin Libranda
Cover by Sanford Greene
Published Aug 16, 2017

   5000 years into the future, the last inhuman walks behind the last accuser with their human rider in tow. He falls and the two inhumans move onward without him. In the present, Swain and Medusa marvel at the Asterion - completely repaired and even enhanced by the Plex Intelligence. Meanwhile, Crystal says her goodbyes to her former husband Ronan. It's a painful parting, and even though he has tried his best to forgive himself, he cannot. He asks his teary eyed ex-wife to leave him.

Beat it!

   The Asterion is airborne. Crystal still upset, the ever irritating Maximus makes wisecrack after another until Medusa slams him into the wall. They disembark on Centauri 4, home of the universal inhumans and the former queen greets them with Maximus in chains. She tells them her husband is no longer King either, and it was by her own doing - an action she'll soon die for. Tricked by her brother-in-law and now bonded to her, her prisoner will die with her. But the reason for their visit is the quest for the skyspears.

...but enough about all that. What we really need are these...

   The council asks for a moment alone with Medusa. They grant the rest of the Inhumans the tour while some weird horse guy tells Gorgon that warriors go with him to I guess get all hammered. His back pain flares and he's brought to the ground. The horse-man calls for a medic but realizes he and the injured inhuman are being ambushed. He pulls his sword and is immediately vaporized.

A horse-man can't even pull a sword anymore. What kinda world...?!

   The issue concludes with a horde of Snarks standing over Gorgon. Now convinced Centuari 4 is a weapon world, their war begins. And with that we're left to be continued.
   After the last few tomes I've been reading it's nice to read one that's quick and to the point. Marvel Boy has some ulterior motives seeing that he lives all the way to the end of time with Maximus, but now that kree homeworld is restored - what are they? Skyspears have been falling to earth since the last few Inhuman books. what they plan to do with them is a mystery and I'm looking forward to them being more fully explained. I give this one an 8/10.

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Astonishing X-Men #1

LIFE OF X: Part One

Written By Charles Soule

Penciled by Jim Cheung

Cover by Jim Cheung

Published July 19, 2017

   Throughout the world, various psychics are dying from someone attacking them. The lonely ones go down easy but for Betsy Braddock - aka the X-Man known as Psylocke, she puts up a fight. Meanwhile in a nearby library, Bishop studies scrolls of Asia - proof that his war will truly never be won. And in Scotland, Warren Worthington flies peacefully - hard at work to contain his archnemisis, the deadly Archangel. 

Brooding and fighting inner struggles - My kind of X-Men

   In Paris, Gambit and Fantomex rob the Lourve while Rogue and Logan make their way back to the states. Suddenly they're all interrupted by a psychic distress call. Psylocke has cried out to any and all nearby X-Men. As they make their way to her, she mindlessly attacks London as a huge pink psychic butterfly. The Blackbird approaches and is nearly fired upon as Rogue quickly leaps from the window, leaving Logan solo. She nears Psylocke and tries to touch her when she's pelted by debris. A lighting quick Angel shields her with his metallic wings.

OW OW OW OW OW OW OWWW!

   Gambit and Fantomex draw closer but their ship is blown out of the sky. Meanwhile Logan tries to convince the crowd below to disperse. He pops his claws as extra motivation before being shot at by Bishop. Their truce is short though, as Angel swoops down and picks up the future X-Man to help Rogue above.

   They fly up to her and Rogue prepares to draw her energy out. She touches her face and absorbs the energy. Overloaded with the energy, she has to find an outlet and fast. She kisses Bishop and the mutant uses his power to channel the energy and expel it upward. With a quick second to collect their thoughts, they recap how Psylocke called out to each and every one of them. And the call didn't just stay local. Beast arrives to help as well and with the ragtag group of X-Men again assembled, Psylocke informs them that the problem is the Shadow King - and he's come for them all.

Ok. Look concerned on three. One.. Two...THREE!

   Although once thought dead, Farouk is alive and well. And with as much damage as he was able to cause with just Psylocke, the sky is literally limit with what he could do with the other X-Psychics. They come up with a plan - send Logan, Beast, Rogue, and Gambit to the Astral Plane to fight while the still fragile Angel will hang back to protect them. Even Fantomex offers to go though his presence is far from required by Psylocke's standards.

    Bishop agrees to stay behind with Angel as well. Although doubts persist it won't exactly be a shoot out, he explains the Shadow King is a more than formidable opponent. With that, the five mutants lie down and prepare to be transported to the Astral Plane.. and true to her warning, he's immediately aware of their presence.

Aw jam! PARTYTIME!

   The issue wraps with Farouk the Shadow King overjoyed that the X-Men are coming. Anticipating their fight, he knows that in the Astral Plane, the apocalypse  is more than just a sign of destruction. It's the secrets. And behind the biggest locked door in the dimension sits his most well kept secret of all. Charles Xavier. With that, we're left to be continued.

   As all new books take a few issues to grow on me, this one is no exception to the rule. It feels like Uncanny 281 - when all the big time characters bailed for Jim Lee's new series and you were left with what was left. Now with Gambit and Rogue rekindling what might have been, this story's interest has a growing point. Logan's presence is unnecessary. He's in X-Men Gold, his son is in Blue - so we gotta deal with him in Astonishing too? That's the definition of overkill. Still, the rest of these characters needed a place to shine. And with Professor X, they have the chance to have the biggest impact in the X-Universe. Pretty good first issue... I give it a 9/10.

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Star Wars #34

THE THIRTEEN CRATES

Written by Jason Aaron
Penciled by Salvador Larocca
Cover by Mike Mayhew
Published Aug 16, 2017

   The smugglers Sana Starros and Lando Calrissian discuss over drinks. He'll get her in the door for the next heist but it's gonna cost her. It was two days earlier she pulled her first of a series of swindles. 5000 credits from some Krawg pirates for one crate of blasters as a downpayment, with 12 more crates promised .

She was Han Solo's wife. Why couldn't you trust her?

   In Coruscant, Lando recaps what happened. She ratted the pirates out and got her guns back. Now using his connections, they're about to try and sell some information to the Empire. 20,000 credits for the guns and the name of the person that originally stole them. Things get a little intense but in the end, Lando remarks that it was truly a thing of beauty. Especially since she doesn't even technically HAVE the guns.

HO HO HO!

   The um, person who does have them is Jabba the Hutt. They walk in and Sana tells the gangster that she knows who has the thirteenth crate but the information will cost him 20,000 credits. Just then, one of the pirates she ripped off in the beginning pulls a blaster but she shoots him before he can fire. Better yet, the blaster on him is one of the ones allegedly stolen, making her story sound even more credible.
   Lando and Sana leave with the money and as she reveals to him, the guns. She stole them while Lando and Jabba were getting hammered. 

Lando with his "Billy Dee Colt 45" Action..

Suddenly they're fired upon... The Krawg have caught up with them and this time, they've heard enough. Lucky for the smugglers, , an imperial cruiser shows up to arrest them all. It tells them to prepare to be boarded and Sana hits light speed, escaping yet again.
   They return to her home planet. Sana repays her part of the bargain - a date with dinner. Only it turns out to be less than edible and Lando Calrissian says his goodbyes. She tells the waiter to scrape it into the trash and bring out the good stuff. The issue ends with Han Solo onboard the millennium falcon. Once again, smuggling for a Hutt, we're left to be continued.

Han and another Hutt

   Lando is one of my favorite characters in the history of the Star Wars universe. He's like the original pimp. He's like George Lucas' Snoop Dogg. To be able to expand on a character made famous in a film literally 37 years ago just speaks to his immortal husslin' ways. He's awesome. I give this one a 8/10.

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