Champions #24

TRIGGER WARNING

Written by Jim Zub
Penciled by Sean Izaakse
Cover by Sean Izaakse
Published Sept 12, 2018

   The Champions assist in the building of a community center in Brooklyn when Spider-Man gets an alert. He emotionally zips into action and arrives at Brooklyn Visions Academy - sadly now the scene of a school shooting. After rebuffing help from his teammates, he heads to the hospital and doles out hugs to his best friend Ganke and Barbara. With the news that Fabio Goldballs Medina was one of the injured students, the group of friends pray with Fabio’s family.

This is kinda heavy for a comic book.

   Later, Amadeus and Riri chat about how little nobody ever does in such a tragedy’s wake. After some time, a despondent Miles continues ignoring the Champions while Kamala endures her own personal hell in her high school. As they practice an active shooting drill, the reality begins to set in.

Damn.

   Miles goes to see a psychiatrist but halfway through, realizes he’s made a terrible mistake. He swings out to get some air where Ms Marvel sneaks up on him. The two heroes have a heart to heart, but as strong as they are, even they can’t save everyone. The issue wraps with Miles swinging back home and meeting in a park with the wounded, but recovering Fabio Medina is on the mend. Seeing him, coupled with his teammates puts things in perspective. And with that, this one shot comes to a bittersweet conclusion.

   So somewhere in DC land, this issue probably shot Brian Michael Bendis from 6 to midnight. Nothing is hotter in comics than current events, and this sadly rings the truest in the pages of the Champions. Although Nova and Wasp are still missing, this issue serves as a reminder that even superheroes can't dodge tragedy. I give this one a 9/10.

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Deadpool #4

Written by Skottie Young

Penciled by Scott Hepburn
Cover by Nic Klein
Published Sept 5, 2018

   Deadpool, Hydra Bob and Negasonic Teenage Warhead track their next target over the Bermuda Triangle. It unfortunately also means a trip into Weirdworld, and after Wade is disregarded in a lake of lava, he's eventually saved by a flying demon dog - which he of course... later kills.
   Wade continues sending decade old video messages to his teammates, all while making enemies, who become friends, who again later become enemies. Eventually he's rescued by Swamp Queen Jennifer Kale. They end up getting married, and her king promises to follow her into battle - no matter what.
   As he rallies scores of tribes to join them in their fight against the Witch Queen Morgan LeFay, one of the pledges just so happens to be Steve Buchanan, Deadpool's original target. He quickly decapitates the rogue accountant, and runs away from his betrothed and whatever army he's assembled.
   Reciting his team's safe word, Hydra Bob orders him to be pulled out. With the rope dropped, Deadpool clings to the line as Jennifer Kale swears eternal revenge. Just once more proving that the merc with a mouth always gets his man, this story comes to abrupt conclusion.
   So four issues in and Skottie Young still seems to use hokey Deadpool-isms like a crutch. Like I've pointed out before, it's clear Marvel aims to pit Wade in more of his cinematic form, but even the movies prove him to be more complex then this. I'll continue to give this team some growing room, but it needs to go a little further than this and it needs to happen soon. I give this one a 7/10.

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Venom #5

REX pt V

Written by Donny Cates

Penciled by Ryan Stegman
Cover by Ryan Stegman
Published Sept 19, 2018

   Venom comes to as he and Spider-Man fall towards earth. While they swiftly debate how to save themselves, Venom’s inner conscience tells him to grab Miles and wings unexpectedly sprout out of the monster. Eddie drops the teenager off and his Other explains the Knull connection gave him new abilities.

We can do some cool, new stuff, Ed.

   It turns out however that there’s a flip side. The demonic beast can now track them down at any time. As finding Rex is now of utmost importance, they burst into his apartment. Expounding on the Symbiote’s bouts of insanity, it was merely protecting itself from... Rex.

Gooooooo!

   The Klyntar comes clean. It truly was part of Knull at one point. But after having bonded to the real Rex in Vietnam, it could never go back. Knull now seeks what’s left to await the Grendel’s return - and the only missing piece of the puzzle is Rex.

Metal AF.

   The issue ends with all three of them joining forces, literally. They morph into a gigantic version of Venom and the intense reaction brings the beast to his knees. But after agreeing to let Rex drive, the soldier pulls open a locker to reveal an armory. Looks like Venom, Rex and Eddie are headed for one epic battle - but what will happen next? We’ll have to wait to find out as this issue is left to be continued.

So we've seen Frank Castle in War Machine armor. Is this what he'd be like as Venom?

   So the Rex storyline technically concludes with this issue, continuing from here with Oversight. From what I’ve been able to gather, the battle between these two space bros must have been pretty awesome and it’s probably gonna take a while to pick up all the pieces. Either way, that’s totally cool with me. If there’s anyone that’s shown he can put one hell of a story together, it’s Donny Cates. Although it looks like Stegman’s run on the book wraps with this issue, it looks like things are in good hands. I give this issue a 10/10.

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Star Wars #53-55

HOPE DIES pts IV, V and VI

Written by Keiron Gillen

Penciled by Salvador Larocca

Covers by David Marquez

Published Sept 5, Sept 19, and Oct 3, 2018

   Leia and Mon Mothma watch as the fleet continues to be decimated. Luckily the Rogue squadron, complete with the Millenium Falcon in tow, are quick to the fight. They’re able to signal to Ackbar that the bay doors will open and he scrambles more X-wings. With Darth Vader involved in the dogfight as well, it’s taking all the rebels have.

Wait - who are we fighting?!

   Princess Leia has an idea. If she can imitate Queen Trios, she can upload a code to the Imperial ship which would allow the rebel ships to escape. With an envoy, she requests to land and the invitation is made by Vader to meet her personally. As they try to run, he makes his entrance a bit early. But the rebels have a head start. They download the code but the sith lord looms dangerously close.

Uh oh...

   Back in battle, Han crash lands the battered Falcon and takes an X-Wing instead. While they fight, Leia is able to hack a Tie-Fighter and flies the mute craft back towards their ship. As she zips back, she can’t radio to the friendly fliers around her and Han and Luke almost blast her out of space. Something feels strange about it to Luke though, and as she guns down another tie, he realizes it’s a rebel pilot.

I think she might be friendly.

   When she lands, the princess gives the drive to a soldier who uploads it and renders all their ships operational. But they’re in for a massive war. The X-wings paint the sky with lasers and the rebels battle back. Finally about to make the jump to hyperspace, Han’s ship drifts powerless. Luke heads back out and tows the smuggler to safety.

Just towing another X-wing. Nothing to see here.

   The issue wraps with good news... Nearly all of the fleet managed to escape but a large chunk of their command was lost. As a reward for their bravery, Mothma promotes Leia to General, Luke to Commander and Solo to Colonel. But they’re not out of the woods yet. The Falcon and Chewbacca are still stranded. As Vader is forced to concede failure to the emperor, Han finds his old smuggling partner Sana Starros and works out a deal to smuggle the newest rebel officers. What’s gonna happen next? We’ll have to wait to find out as this arc comes to a conclusion.

Let's roll...

   I’ve heaped praise on this series ever since Jason Aaron was at the helm but who could have foreseen the quality still as sharp as it’s been with Keiron Gillen in charge. With everyone who’s anyone already knowing how the series ends, packing new adventures in between has to be a challenge. It’s still remarkably great, and this creative team deserves all the credit. I give these three a 9/10.

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Avengers #5-6

THE FINAL HOST pts V and VI

Written by Jason Aaron
Penciled by Paco Medina and Ed McGuiness
Covers by Ed McGuiness
Published July 18 and Aug 22, 2018

   Loki tells Captain America the story of the first host, how it fell to earth a million years ago and died. It was followed by another host but this giant too was felled by the first Avengers, who left it inside the Earth to rot. When the giants’ families came to find out what was going on, they found their former friends completely infected and pretty much bailed on them.

Let's bail, boys...

   Eventually Ghost Rider tires of story time, and puts Loki in the trunk. Together he and Cap speed of towards Russia with the Final Host in tow. Meanwhile Black Panther and Captain Marvel devise a plan to deal with the monster insects. As She-Hulk and Thor munch town on the Blood of Ymir, they're transformed into giants themselves. Ghost Rider climbs into the wreck of the first host and reanimates the flaming celestial, while Iron Man equally signals the arrival of a gigantic robo-suit.

Oh sweet... This is gonna be rad.

   They fight back with gusto, while the ground crew battles the bugs. But as they deliver massive blows to the giants, it's not enough. Eventually the heroes arrive at a point where defeat is imminent. While they think of any possible next move, it becomes clear that one thing they haven't tried is fighting with one mind. Dr. Strange mentions the live-virus phenomena of a vaccine.

   Tony remembers back to something Icarus said - the Uni-Mind is a method the Eternals used to combine their energies. They all blend every thing they have into one single entity and it does the trick. The bugs and everything around them burn out. With only one host left to defeat, Cap lets out their familiar battle cry and the Avengers battle back with everything they have... But what's gonna happen next? We're forced to wait to find out as this issue is left to be concluded.

But wait - there's more...

   Like Jason Aaron's previous work in Star Wars, that series was picked up by others after he went on to take over this book.. and it never skipped a beat. This book too, off the heels of such a huge event like No Surrender, literally suffered no setback. It just keeps going, with stunning new story lines and amazing artwork. Still as good as any, I give these two issues a 10/10.

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X-Men Red #7-8

THE HATE MACHINE pts VII and VIII

Written by Tom Taylor
Penciled by Carmen Carnero
Covers by Jenny Frison
Published Aug 22 and Sept 26, 2018

   The X-Men brace for a attack on Atlantis. Namor calls for an evacuation but Jean and Gentle work behind the scenes to help. They defeat a mind controlled Teen Abomination as Storm short circuits the nanites in his brain.

Shocking I tell you.

   Meanwhile the equally brainwashed British ambassador begins aimlessly shooting into the airplane at the X-Men below. Trinary is hit and loses control of the Sentinel as it crashes into the plane. Luckily she's able to keep it together and uses it to fly the wrecked plane back to the ground.

Oh great, look what you did now.

   When they land, they're able to get Marbury's phone from the cargohold and Jean leter plays a message for the media to prove Cassandra Nova is poisoning everyone's mind to hate mutants more than usual.

I wish TV was like this all the time.

   With time of the essence, she uses Forge to release the swarms of nanites into the cities. Using the nanite that found it's way into Storm's head, Trinary puts on Searebro and can tell the robots are barreling towards every major city. Since Gabby doesn't feel pain, they decide to put her in the Cerebro chair and link minds. 

It won't hurt, Gabby. Would I lie?!

   Cassandra is able to tell Jean is interfering. She uses Gabby to get into Jean's head. Meanwhile Storm uses Nightcrawler to bamf into the skies above and sends a typhoon of destruction to wash Nova's base away.

Oh #$&@!*

   Finally Trinary locks hands with the team and uses her wide ranging absorption powers to pull all of the hateful internet chatter out of the newsfeeds. Beaming it out of Searebro, the X-Men can take a sigh of relief that the threats are now over. The issue wraps with Cassandra Nova pulling Rachel Grey out of the X-mansion and towards her to use as a final pawn. What's going to happen next? We'll have to wait to find out as this issue is left to be continued.

Oh good, more X-Men...

   Ok so at this point, this seventh and eighth issue of X-Men Red is the seventh and eighth part of a meandering and boring story arc. I get the vibe it's more or less cobbled together as it goes along and where it ends up will be anybody's guess. Tom Taylor did the same thing in All New Wolverine as he's doing in this series, and like it's underwhelming sister series, this book appears to be trying to fill the void left by X-Men Gold - another book that couldn't end fast enough. I guess we'll stumble along until something interesting happens. When that will be still looks left to be determined. I give these two issues a 5/10.

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Astonishing X-Men #15

UNTIL OUR HEARTS STOP pt III

Written by Matthew Rosenberg
Penciled by Greg Land
Cover by Greg Land
Published Sept 5, 2018
   After accidentally assaulting some federal agents, Havok's team of rogue X-Men are on the run. With his backers beginning to crack, he explains to them that he really only assembled them to protect himself. Dejected, he walks away and ends up at the Bar With No Name.

Wish there was a bar with no name in my town.

   Meanwhile, Colonel Callahan decides he's done with the Reavers. It's later revealed that he's basically killed the ones he didn't need anymore, putting Bonebraker and his crew in danger. With Pierce missing as well, whats left of them needs a plan.

And to make matters worse, this old Radio Shack doesn't have WiFi!

   At the bar, James Proudstar talks Havok into not quitting. The rest of his team reconvenes at Piotr Rasputin's apartment when they're surprised by a grenade. Callahan has caught up with them. They fight back but are quickly outnumbered by his Office of National Emergency forces. Banshee goes on a screaming spree but as he flies away, the X-Men surrender.

This X-Team even comes with a zombie Banshee.

   The issue wraps with Havok telling Proudstar he has an idea. As he sees the news of his teammates' capture, he goes on a mission to find the Reavers. When they open the door, he offers to join them as they all seem to have a common enemy in the Colonel. But what's gonna happen next? We'll have to wait to find out as this issue is left to be continued.

Y'all recruiting?

   I've said it before and I'll say it again. This series is on equal footing with X-Men Blue as the best current X-series going at the moment. Matt Rosenberg is a fantastic writer, taking this group of 80's era characters and turning them into a solid, ragtag team of misfits. It's what the X-Men are supposed to be. With all the new books on the horizon, my only hope is that they keep Rosenberg on this series. I give this issue a 9/10.

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Old Man Logan #45

BULLSEYE RETURNS pt III

Written by Ed Brisson
Penciled by Juan Ferreyra
Cover by Mike Deodato Jr
Published Aug 29, 2018

   Bullseye rams a police cruiser down the middle of a mall, but waiting on the other side is Vengeance and Old Man Logan. The assassin flings a series of knives at his pursuer causing the car to lose control. After licking their wounds, they quickly obtain another car and continue the chase.

Should have taken Uber.

   Trailing him to an old concrete plant, they're barely able to get out of the car when it explodes. Still, they're able to place him on the third floor. Logan explodes through a door but is hit with a handful of nuts and bolts immediately. Unfortunately for Bullseye though, Vengeance is also there and they hold the criminal at gunpoint until Glob can give them some answers on his hostage.

Sorry, Mr. Logan...

   Eventually he gives up the location he took the boy. But when the X-Man finds him, the hostage is already dead. Just wanting to see the look on Logan's face, he kicks his way out of the situation and unloads a pistol on the mutant before escaping.

Ow Ow OWWW!

   Unfortunately, Vengeance is NOT out of bullets, and blows Bullseye out of the window, left to be captured. Later on, Logan wakes up at the hospital where Joy Jones waits for him. She uncuffs the mutant who dives from the window to where Glob waits for him. With that, this issue and story arc come to a conclusion.

Looks like my see through ride is here.

   So obviously we usually see Bullseye as Daredevil's archnemesis. But it's cool to see what he'd be like paired against some of our favorite other characters. Ed Brisson continues exploring Logan's older side, for the very least another 5 issues. As time draws to a close on this book, it's interesting to look back on how Logan has changed. And how he'll go on will be a great read. I give this one a 9/10.

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