The Mighty Thor #704

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JANE

Written by Jason Aaron
Penciled by Russell Dauterman
Cover by Russell Dauterman
Published February 21, 2018

   Jane Foster flashes back to when her own mother was on her deathbed. Just a terrible reminder that the Mighty Thor is also still very mortal. While she reminices, the unworthy Thor Odinson and his father fight the Mangog in Asgard. The beast pummels them mercilessly, finally with Odinson getting a hit on the monster. But it's a blow that doesn't go very far.

Odinson with the weak sauce.

   Jane continues to think back . Years after she lost her mother, her father passed away. She too now rests on her deathbed with her friends all around her. Even Thori guards the door from any wayward Hammers that might want to tempt her to fight again.

Hammer Pitt.

   A dimension away, Loki walks up to his mother and begs her to run. She's not very happy to see her adopted son, as he tried to kill her before. He explains it was never a true attempt though. She doesn't believe him, and although he tells her Asgard will fall, he bids her a final goodbye.

Bye mom.

   Meanwhile the Mangog destroys the controls of the capital, forcing the entire kingdom into a freefall towards the sun. Back home, Lady Jane flashes back to a time when Thor let her down. Where was he while her ex-husband and son were tragically killed in a car accident? She shuffles down the hospital halls to see an old friend, praying with her as she too deals with a cancer diagnosis.

Jason Aaron hitting you with ALL the depressing feelz.

   Mangog continues destroying everything until even Lady Freya joins the fight. Just then Jane walks by her friend Roz on the phone, hearing that Asgard and even the Bifrost seems offline. Thori chases a hapless maintenance man down the hall and Jane looks at her chart. It's over. She would have won. But now she knows there's no chance. While Asgard falls, Jane too will join them. She picks up Mjoliner and prepares to fight one last time. And with that, we're left to be continued.

One. Last. Time.

   Although it's obviously no secret where Dr. Jane Foster is going to end up, it's still difficult to watch such a beloved character meet such a slow but mortal end. Jason Aaron is putting in some serious work to make you realize death truly does come for us all - even superheroes. But knowing Thor will never go quietly is really the only way anyone could imagine one going out. I give this one a 9/10.

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Justice League #39

JUSTICE LOST pt I

Written by Christopher Priest
Penciled by Ian Churchill
Cover by Paul Pelletier
Published February 21, 2018

   A struggling Aquaman walks through the desert when he's attacked by a bunch of maniacs on four wheelers. He disarms them until one gets the drop, lowering an AK47 at his head. Luckily, a mystery Aquaman, aka THE FAN is there to save him as well as throw him a hydration suit. He teleports away just as Green Lantern Baz shows up, still stuck on the idea of lunch with Superman.

Enough with the damn lunch, Baz...

   Meanwhile Cyborg testifies in front of a House subcommittee with superlawyer Regina Cole while former member Batman works a train derailment with the JLA. It's a dangerous situation as toxic chemicals are part of the trains haul. Time is of the essence. While they deal with that, Cyborg tries his best to convince Congress that the Justice League are essentially mere first responders. 

See, the League is no more than your local fire department...

   In Portland, embarassed Green Lantern Jessica Cruz rebuffs her sister's demands for breakfast while social media lauds the first black man to lead the League in Cyborg. He asks Regina why they need a lawyer and she reminds him that everybody on earth is practically planning on suing them. Just then he sees Martian Manhunter in the crowd in disguise. He needs a favor, and back aboard the watchtower, he asks Jessica for her and Simon's help.

One thing's for sure. They all sure like green.

   Cyborg tells Wonder Woman and Flash to help the JLA with the train derailment. They shuttle down but pass over the poorer parts of town to help directly at the derailment site. Of course, the public perceives it as a slight, and although they're all able to work together to prevent disaster, the damage is done. The Justice League sucks again.

Oh no.. we suck again.

   The issue wraps with Cyborg telling Regina he's needed back on Earth. Although the transporter is on the fritz, he has to take the chance and teleports away. What happens next? We'll have to wait and see as this issue is left to be continued.

So far, Priest has hit the "people smoking" demo more than anyone I've seen in comics in the last 20 years.

   Like I've said before, a team up book has so many characters, there has to be any number of plotlines that can be developed. Priest takes that idea a little further, adding a whole other group of Justice Leaguers in. Meanwhile they're still dealing with the Fan, testifying before congress, running off into space with Martian Manhunter and saving the people of America. Why stop there? I give this one an 8/10.

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Infinity Countdown Prime #1

INFINITY COUNTDOWN PRIME

Written by Gerry Duggan
Penciled by Mike Deodato Jr
Cover by Mike Deodato Jr
Published Feb 21, 2018

   In the Canadian wilderness, Logan smells the approaching Ultron bots. They've come for the Infinity Stone in his possession, and as he slices and dices them all over the woods, it appears he has no intention of giving it up. Finally he smells a new stranger - Loki. He cuts the mutant's face as proof of ID. This doesn't go over well, and Logan buries his claws into the Asgardian's chin. He tries to negotiate with the Wolverine, who feels the space stone is currently safe in his own hands. He walks away and tells the frost giant he's got more pockets if he needs them.

I noticed Old Man Logan and Young Man Logan have similar fashion sense.

   Elsewhere on earth, the gangster Turk Barrett waltzes into a casino - and thanks to the stone he holds, losing isn't an option. Floating in orbit reveals Captain Marvel Carol Danvers to be holding one, that is whichever reality of her it may or may not be. Meanwhile the power stone still rests in the control of the Nova Corps, although the Raptors and Chitauri slowly move in for the kill.

Nope. Not Darkhawk. Sorry.

   Gamora explains to Star Lord that their previous engagements have been wastes of time. She must recover the Soul Stone to free the portion of her trapped inside it. Meanwhile on Sakaar, the Super Skrull punches through the planet's mantle with plans to erase their humiliation with the stone he holds.

Well that one arm is kind of humiliating if you wanna know the truth.

   In Egypt, Adam Warlock's time has finally come. He awakens in 2018, punching through the tomb while elsewhere, Thanos sits upon a new throne as conqueror of the Chitauri.
   On Ego, Magus and the Contemplator square off. He taunts the now decapitated elder with the soul stone's power, but he fails to notice Ultron behind him. The cyborg punches through Adam Warlock's evil twin and later introduces himself to the Contemplator's head. It warns against possessing the soul gem but senses the struggle within Hank Pym and and his robotic counterpart. Ultron destroys him and smiles at his new infinity gem, thrusting it into the air.

Can you go back and undo that slap, Hank?

   The issue wraps with what's left of the human scientist trapped inside the gem. He's not alone though. The eyeless, old and lost sliver of Gamora welcomes him to his new fate - stuck in soul world forever. With that, this long journey officially begins.
   So this was what my man Gerry Duggan left Guardians of the Galaxy for? Maybe it's tempting to fly around the universe with a band of miscreants, but drift so close to Thanos and the legendary infinity gauntlet. I get it. Every writer worth their salt should aspire to a massive crossover event. And with the Avengers about to square off with the mad titan in theaters, the subject matter has never been hotter. If the series is anything like this issue, we're in good hands. I give this one a 10/10.

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Incredible Hulk #713

RETURN TO PLANET HULK pt V

Written by Greg Pak
Penciled by Greg Land
Cover by Greg Land
Published Feb 21, 2018

   Hulk repairs a broken iPad for the kids to play with while Odinson is stitched up. He warns Hulk should be preparing for battle, though Hulk instead lauds the tech as helping them survive. Maerra explains that letting the beast out will be necessary to win in the gauntlet this time. They pray together one final time.

I kinda dogged out the story but the artwork in this series is pretty good.

   The next day, Lickspit welcomes the crowd to the final level of the gauntlet, and Hulk's last opponent - the Warlord himself. He flies in and immediately launches missiles at big green, who leaps around to avoid them and later pulls the Warlord into their path.

Good one, Green Jeans.

   His opponent yells that he'll never stop and the voice inside Amadeus's head begs the boy to finally let the monster take control. He resists until he sees the massive nuclear missile leaving the silo and headed straight for him. With fire engulfing the crowd, Thor tells them to run. And finally, Amadeus lets the Hulk within take the wheel.

Aw snap, that's ass.

   His eyes flash as he embraces the nuclear fire, reveling in it as what fuels his very essence. The crowd watches as he absorbs the energy and the unworthy Thor swells with pride. Chak picks up a spear and kills the Warlord once and for all.

Here you go, jerk!

   The issue wraps with the now freed people enjoying a full month of city building and technology. The two guests are well thanked but ultimately urged to leave. Aboard their ship, Thor tells Hulk he did well as the boy laughs. It's further revealed that the monster is now in full control while the voice of reason remains chained up. What does that mean? We'll have to wait to find out as this story arc is finally concluded.

HOORAY! MORE METAPHORS!

   So finally after almost half a year, the Return To Planet Hulk storyline finally concludes. Not that it wasn't decent, but for such a long and drawn out story, seems like there could have been more. He could have had more personal relationships with these people, gotten to know more about them. If Brian Michael Bendis was writing this series, there could have been four other plotlines developing. But Greg Pak keeps it simple. Sometimes I appreciate that in a series, but three issues would have probably been enough. I give this one a 6/10.

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Daredevil #599

MAYOR FISK pt V

Written by Charles Soule
Penciled by Ron Garney
Cover by Dan Mora
Published Feb 21, 2018

   Daredevil does what he can to find the silence as a clue to finding Muse, but can only focus on the Kingpin. The mayor has turned the serial killer's antics into a political rallying cry. The city churns into those against him, those for him... all feeding into his agenda against costumed superheroes.

GOTCHA!

   Blindspot asks if he's had any luck but Daredevil explains he can't focus. The devil of hell's kitchen finds himself frustrated, while Chinatown's own protector equally demands his own justice. Matt tries to tell his protege that he can't fight Muse alone as Sam walks away.

I know there was that whole eye gouging thing, but Sam's got a bad attitude.

   Back at City Hall, Murdock walks into his boss's office to give him a quick Told-Ya-So. People died and it's wrong to use it as a chance to blame the Punisher. Fisk shuts him up, instead demanding his deputy mayor join him at a vigil in central park before threatening to blackball him from any city office in the future. He begs the Kingpin not to provoke Muse in any way.

"Don't tell me what to do, DEPUTY Mayor..."

   Meanwhile Sam works on an experiment when his sister walks in. She explains that their mother is still in China, and she intervened to get him his eyes back. Hannah is worried for her brother, but he ominously ends their conversation like it's a goodbye.

Sam gets weird.

   Fisk calls Wesley to get on removing Muse's Daredevil mural outside his office, but the Mayor's assistant tells him someone has already done so. Blindspot stands above the painting with a massive pain sprayer daring the villain to come get him. Problem is he's already there, and he pushes the hero off the side of the building.

See ya!

   The issue wraps with Daredevil running above town with hundreds of voices in his head. He needs help, and as he turns to his friends to get it, we see Misty, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Spider-Man Moon Knight, Elektra and others. They're in - but for what? We'll have to wait to see as this issue is left to be continued.

What luck! A group of costumed superheroes specific to this title!

   Charles Soule has been a busy bee lately. As he's currently crushing it in the pages of Astonishing X-Men, it's clear that his baby Daredevil has barely suffered. With the title nearing a milestone with issue #600, I was afraid they might reassign him as a lot of the titles have been prone to doing lately. Thankfully he'll be here for awhile to bring us gems like this one. I give it a 9/10.

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Batman #41

EVERYONE LOVES IVY pt I

Written by Tom King
Penciled by Mikel Janin
Cover by Mikel Janin
Published Feb 21, 2018

   In a dream, the beautiful Poison Ivy introduces herself to Bruce (and apparently Selina too) as he leaps from his bed. He runs down the hallway as an unsuspecting Alfred attempts to help, but punches him out revealing a batarang clutched in the butler's hands.

Nothing to see here. Just Batman beating up old people.

   Inside the Batcave, Bruce tries to figure out what the hell is going on when Selina walks in. Still confused and hearing Ivy's voice, he tranquilizes Selina and later, himself as well with some unknown concoction. There he descends back into the dream and sees the billions of people across the earth who are likewise under Ivy's spell as she gazes into their eyes.

"That girl is POISON...."

   He and Catwoman wake up in the bed, but this time he announces to his fiance that she's here. Alfred speaks in her voice and regales a story about the Joker and Superman. Bruce pulls back to punch his poor mind controlled butler again but this time knocks out the blocking Flash. 

Batman tries to keep beating the elderly but Flash gets in the way.

   He asks Poison Ivy what she wants and she tells him. She controls everyone, feels everyone. She doesn't want anything though. She already has it all. And although she doesn't have Batman and Catwoman anymore, they can't stop it. Alfred turns to leave and tells them that not having just the two of them is of no concern. The issue wraps with the couple trying to figure out what to do next.. but what that is, we'll have to wait for as this issue is left to be continued.

DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING?!

   Scanning a few reviews of this issue as I often do, I was happy to see a strong majority feels Tom King is back on track with this one. Though Joelle Jones filled in nicely for Mikel Janin, his return to this series is also welcomed, as is it's dreamy like flow fits perfectly and sets up another awesome story arc. Ivy got a tiny cameo in the War Of Jokes And Riddles, so a tale where she's the star is likely to be amazing. I give this one a 9/10.

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Avengers #681

NO SURRENDER pt VII

Written by Mark Waid, Al Ewing, and Jim Zub
Penciled by Kim Jacinto
Cover by Mark Brooks
Published Feb 21, 2018

   Captain Glory explains how he and his unwilling cohorts were forced to battle for the Grandmaster as the Lethal Legion. Although it's a pretty epic contest, they're losing. And currently what stands in their way are the Avengers. Wasp zips around them as Voodoo recites some spells. Synapse scrambles Glory and Scarlet Witch hears Metal Master say it - it really is all a game.

What a crummy game.

   Meanwhile Rogue swells with Corvus Grave's power. She explains that she saw in his memories Grandmaster and the Challenger assembling their game pieces. Problem is that they miss Ferene the Other and she grabs the third pyramoid, scoring a point for the Lethal Legion.

Aw man!

   Back at HQ, Voyager rests up so she can transport more people again. She explains to Dr. Toni her origin. Her parents were scientists on the verge of both a huge discovery as well as divorce. She ran in and became energized with a quantum entanglement experiment. Later she found her way to the Avengers during their founding, and today she'll always be part of something.

And then I founded the Avengers. Remember?

   Citizen V has his hands full with Mentacle. She moves to erase his mind but is interrupted by Falcon.
He rescues Roberto as Synapse keeps fighting with Captain Glory. He lets her into his mind and she too sees it's all a game. Metal Master reiterates this - and that the earth was moved to make it more of a challenge. The Blood Brothers pummel Dr Voodoo and Glory declares the Avengers all have their hands' full.

Quick! GET IT!

   He orders Mentacle to pick up one of the Brothers and sacrifice him to grab the next pyramoid. She does so, but before he makes contact an explosive arrow blows him back from it. Hawkeye has arrived just in time.
   The issue wraps in Arizona as a voice monologues that the monster within is back. Everyone missed it and he now dreads what is coming, and what can't be stopped. A big, familiar green hand rises from the rubble. What will happen next? We'll have to wait to find out as this issue is left to be continued.

I'd recognize that green hand anywhere...

   This stunning series continues to build to an amazing conclusion at a breakneck pace. Out of all the books I read, this one still overwhelmingly expands with almost every issue. Not to mention that one comes out every week, I almost wonder if this was how comics were meant to be read all along? I give this one a 9/10.

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Astonishing X-Men #8

A MAN CALLED X pt II

Written by Charles Soule
Penciled by Paulo Siqueirra
Cover by Mike Doedato Jr
Published Feb 21, 2018

   On the streets of London, a starving Proteus floats above causing mass chaos. On a nearby rooftop, X explains the Shadow King was using shards of the mutant's soul to create a psychic feedback loop. But one things's for sure - these X-Men still don't know if they can trust the man called X.

Would it kill you to shave that head, X?

   Meanwhile, Bishop reports Proteus is on the loose. He shoots it as X telekinetically warns him from doing so. It's fueling him. Still Bishop argues that if he's eating cannon fodder, he isn't eating people. He's interrupted by the constant blast of his weapon, followed by an explosion that almost levels nearby buildings.

Look what you did now, dummy.

   Back on the root, Archangel, Gambit and Old Man Logan rejoin the team. As they talk, Logan explains that he already knows how to stop Proteus. With metal. He and Archangel have more than enough to fight it. X asks to try negotiation first. He and Psylocke join hands and force their way into Proteus' mind.

This is how telekinetics date.

   They walk up to a castle and see Kevin MacTaggert atop it. He knows why they've come. He asks if they think a person can change after prison. He never got the chance before Colossus beat him to death on Muir Island. Afterwards even more punishment awaited him. He was imprisoned for 10,000 years in the Astral Plane. He shows Betsy her old self. If she can change, why could he never get the chance?

X has been watching the Boondock Saints.

   The debate continues until X pulls duel soul pistols. Betsy asks what happened to non-violence? He pulls the trigger but Proteus sends them back into the real world as a freaky, conjoined monstrosity as the X-Men stand by helplessly. What'll happen next? We'll have to wait as this issue is left to be continued.

Aw SNAP!

   As Charles Soule continues to show, this is clearly the best and brightest out of all the X-books going. Even now in the wake of the new Red team's debut, they can't come close to catching what this series has managed to do. Proteus is one of the most powerful mutants from all of the X-Men's past. Putting a new spin on it as well as Soule can, this book still excels in leaps and bounds. I give this one a 10/10.

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