Punisher #227-228

PUNISHER: WAR CRIMINAL pts IV and V

Written by Matthew Rosenberg
Penciled by Stefano Landini and Guiu Vilanova
Covers by Clayton Crain
Published July 11 and July 25, 2018

   Frank sits at a Mexican restaurant with Black Widow and Bucky Barnes, all the while repairing his armor and jawing it up. Together the three of them team up to stop the rogue Hydra agents from breaking into the prison along with Baron Zemo.

We don't put up with that here. What'd you think this was? Taco Bell?!

   The Punisher walks inside through the flames, all the while murdering random inmates when Zemo opens the cells, allowing scores of supervillains to finally have a crack at one of their biggest enemies. Black Widow and the Winder Soldier back him up but are slowly being overrun. They keep blasting away when eventually Captain Marvel appears, along with tons of Avengers, X-Men, Defenders, and the Fantastic Four. They all fight back as Zemo uses the diversion to free fake Steve Rogers, former Hydra overlord.

Hey rat. Long time no see!

   With the prison riot in full force overhead, the Punisher sneaks away to find Zemo - but is discovered by Iron Man first. He's obviously pretty sore about the armor, but Frank decides to start a massive fire that Tony will have to deal with to save the others.

You better go stop that. It looks pretty bad...

   Meanwhile, the chopper readies for takeoff with the Hydra elite aboard. Frank bursts through the top floor to stop them, blasting the helicopter's tail off in the process. Frank kills the pilot and guards and finally faces down Baron Zemo and Ghost.

Ok, lets go. Wait.. That hurts...

   The battle is epic, but Frank gets the upperhand by shocking Zemo and Ghost into submission.. He begins to beat the Hydra leaders to death but is eventually stopped by Iron Man, who clearly knows his way around a super suit pretty well. 

He's pretty good with these suits, Frank.

   Zemo and Ghost use the distraction to escape, as a determined War Machine appears to take back his armor. With far more advanced tech, James Rhode Rhodes is able to slowly crush the now obsolete suit, eventually dismounting and explaining to Frank how the War Machine armor is bigger than both of them. He realizes he's defeated, and the suit opens up.

Fine!

   Frank is taken into custody along with Stevil Rogers. Nick Fury explains all of Frank's offenses all the while conveniently leaving out that the original mission was on his orders. All in all, two dozen guards were killed, Zemo and Ghost escaped and the Supreme Commander is still alive - a score that Fury obviously doesn't want to hear.

You suck, Fury.

  The issue wraps with Bucky and Natasha standing in the road to block the prison convoy. The Punisher is about to be free once again. What does that mean going forward? We'll have to wait as this issue is left to be continued.

Just give us what's in the trunk.

   And so just like that the Punisher's Legacy era comes to an end. That's cool though. I knew when Rhodes came back. Tony would never let a vigalante keep one of his suits. Even though I think he wore it better than anyone else ever did. So we're back to the old Punisher but with Matthew Rosenberg still at the helm, I think this book is still in better hands than it's ever been. I give these two issues a 9/10.

If you like this review, check out my video of it HERE.

You can also buy my physical copies of these books HERE and HERE.

Like comics? Check out my ebay wares HERE

Follow me at facebook, twitter, or instagram as well.

Amazing Spider-Man #1-3

BACK TO BASICS pts I-III

Written by Nick Spencer
Penciled by Ryan Ottley
Covers by Ryan Ottley
Published July 11, July 25, and Aug 8 2018

   Now that he’s lost everything, Pete has roommates now.. one of which is uber annoying d-list supervillain Boomerang. Either way, Pete is late for the ESU press conference he’s supposed to be covering for the Bugle. And that reason is because he’s fighting a frightening insect horde with the Avengers... And the Guardians of the Galaxy. But then a few weeks ago, he was winning the key to the city from their Kingpin...

Then this, this, this, this, and this happens...

   You know, this first issue was very irrationally disjointed. But somewhere in there, we find out a lot of people are annoyed with Spidey, we find out he’s been accused of plagiarizing from his old university thanks to the papers written by Doc Ock when he was in Pete’s body, and we learn that he’s now been fired from the Bugle for said plagiarizing. Finally it’s revealed that Mary Jane Watson is back with him, which is at least one win. Though it’s followed by despair that Aunt May is embarrassed to have a paper stealing ingrate for a nephew.

Never stop letting your fam down, Pete.

   Thankfully Empire State allows Pete to return to the university to earn his degree the right way. Only prob is he’ll be assisting the Lizard, Dr. Curt Connors. He reveals that thanks to a surgically implanted inhibitor chip, he’s able to fight his murderous desires. Further more, he’s now in possession of the Isotope Genome Accelerator. Clearly something the bad guys would love, Taskmaster and Black Ant break in to steal it.

Budget Skelator.

   Pete taunts them into throwing him out of the fray. In the confusion, Spider-Man leaps in to fight. He deals with the low priority baddies fairly quickly but is later completely surprised to see Peter Parker standing there right in front of him. So what does this mean? Well it means that Pete can join MJ and his roomie for bowling while this other Spider-Man can deal with the Tri-Sentinel in midtown.

Don't worry, Peter. I got this. Keep bowling.

   Apparently during the fight in Connor’s lab, he somehow triggered the Accelerator, splitting Pete from his alter ego. The two of them followed up the skirmish with a conversation, later highlighting a normal and boring non-powered Peter Parker living a quiet and unextraordinary life.
   The third issue wraps with Dr. Connors showing to Pete an experiment. Using the Accelerator, he splits an intelligent lab rat into two separate rats. One has all of the best traits of the two, but the other is lacking in what he had before. This means the other Spider-Man even inherited the now intellect as well as superpowers. But what does it mean for Pete? We’ll have to wait as this issue is left to be continued.

The experiment officially proves it, Pete. You suck.

   So I fully expected this series to get a bit of a stale upgrade with the loss of Dan Scott. I also expected it to get off to a slow start, but I did not expect it to be this bad. Obviously everyone gets all jazzed up for their first issue of something, especially something as big as this title. But this went all over the place. I still don’t understand putting Mysterio, Taskmaster, Black Ant, and Boomerang in this book for really any reason. Spending pages and pages on Aunt May’s disappointment and Mary Jane flashbacks were also wastes of space while the books steadily tripped all over their own continuity. Not a whole lot revealed here excep the hole Dan Slott left the webhead in. Only time will tell if Nick Spencer can dig him out. I give these three a 6/10.

If you like this review, check out my video of it HERE

You can also buy my physical copies of these books HERE, HERE and HERE.

Like comics? Check out my ebay wares HERE

Follow me at facebook, twitter, or instagram as well.

Star Wars #50-52

HOPE DIES pts I-III

Written by Kieron Gillen
Penciled by Salvador Larroca
Covers by Travis Charest and David Marquez
Published July 4, July 18, and August 1, 2018

   Princess Leia celebrates their new fleet with Mon Mothma at the Mako Ta Rebel base. She casually talks with Queen Trios who slowly slinks away... you know. For no reason at all. Meanwhile outside the base, Luke Skywalker puts on a cool laser light show with some other X-Wing pilots. After they land, the fleet prepares to hear a dedication speech, which Mon broadcasts out without incident.

"Everything's fine... Oh wait!"

   The problems arise when they plan to disperse. As the pilots attempt to engage hyperspace, the ships are rendered immobilized. Leia tries to figure out what is going on, but when asking where Trios went, learns she left during the speech. Suddenly almost the entire imperial fleet arrives. Before bombarding them, Darth Vader tells his lieutenants to wait until their terror peaks. As the X-Wings prepare to launch again to fight back, that fear is realized. All of the ships are dead in the air, and all bay doors are locked preventing the launch of any fighters.

"You're a go for launch. Actually... nevermind.."

   Vader blows up a nearby cruiser and it’s then the rebels begin to understand the seriousness of the situation. Outside the base, Trios prepares her escape but is boarded by rebels before her ship can retreat. She heads for an escape pod but is unable to blast off before Leia drops a guilt trip on her.

"Before you go, I just wanted to tell you... you suck."

   Han Solo and Chewie arrive late to see Luke’s light show. Instead they run into the Empire. Using shortwave comms, Leia informs Han that flying near the bay doors of the rebel ships will still open them by default. He does his best, but not before Vader decides to climb into his Tie Fighter to take out the Millenium Falcon himself.

Anakin was always pretty good at that flying thing. 

   Han tries his best to evade the Sith Lord but it isn’t easy. He finally has an idea. They put C3P0 in a pod and while using the debris field of a fellow ship to lose Vader, launch the droid towards Luke’s carrier. He drags himself along the outside until finding an airlock. Telling Luke about the fail safe, he boards his fighter and flies towards the bay doors. Once proving it works, the entire squadron deploys behind him, preparing to fight back. What happens next? Will the rebels have enough firepower to take out the empire? We’re left to find out as this issue is left to be continued.

MORE REFERENCES!

   Overall these were 3 well written issues, all but kinda taking an awkward push at the very end with Luke constantly talking about Jyn Erso. I dug the introduction of Benthic a few issues back but there’s no reason to shove references down our throats, ok. We get it. As far as Queen Trios being a traitor, it was a pleasant surprise. Gillen sold it pretty well on her being an Empire turncoat and I wasn’t expecting her heel-heel turn. The battles were great as well as finally sticking some Vader in the mix after such a long absence. I dig where they’re going. I’d give #52 about a 7,  but 50 and 51 get a solid 9/10.

If you like this review, check out my video of it HERE

You can also buy my physical copies of these books HERE, HERE and HERE.

Like comics? Check out my ebay wares HERE

Follow me at facebook, twitter, or instagram as well.

Captain America #1 -2

WINTER IN AMERICA pts I-II

Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Penciled by Leinil Francis Yu
Covers by Alex Ross
Published July 4 and August 1, 2018

   Months previously, some Hydra soldiers drive through the Russian mountains when they come upon a lone woman in the street. They blast her with automatic rifles but it’s no use. Selene the External hungers for souls and the Power Elite are more than willing to get them for her.
   Meanwhile, America reels after Hydra’s near takeover. Several clones of Nuke kill aimlessly in the name of a clearly misguided freedom but Cap and Bucky Barnes are more than willing to help put them down. After the skirmish is over, Sharon Carter lands a medvac and the trio whisk survivors to safety.
   In the aftermath, Thunderbolt Ross arrives and talks with the former SHIELD assets. They discuss current events and it's revealed that going forward, Carter is on the team, but they'd rather not use Cap. Later that night, the couple discusses their lives together and Sharon explains she needs Steve to be there for her. He in turn goes on several vigilante missions as Selene publicly executes a Hydra soldier in front of a Russian crowd.
   Across the country, Captain America continues with his rogue missions. He wins each battle rather handedly until eventually General Ross meets with him, asking him to stop. Clearly the government isn't ready for Steve Rogers yet.
   That night Cap trains in his holo-gym. Sharon comes down and they have a heart to heart. She asks him to go easy on himself for awhile, as she'll be out of town chasing a top secret lead for Ross. With that, Rogers finds himself back in the holo-gym, ready to train. This time against some of the greatest fighters in history. What happens next? We'll have to wait to find out as this issue is left to be continued...
   So I didn't read the Free Comic Book Day release of this fresh start arc, so I don't know exactly what's going on with the Duke clones or Selene, but I'll catch on soon enough. Either way, after such amazin work from Mark Waid, I didn't expect much here. For once, I'm glad to be wrong. This series picks up right on the quality of Waid's Cap and I think has the chance to deliver that much more. Well written and good art, I like thie book's direction. I give these two a 9/10.

If you like this review, check out my video of it HERE.

You can also buy my physical copy of these books HERE and HERE.

Like comics? Check out my ebay wares HERE

Follow me at facebook, twitter, or instagram as well.

Astonishing X-Men #13-14

UNTIL OUR HEARTS STOP pt I-II

Written by Matt Rosenberg
Penciled by Oscar Bazaldua and Greg Land
Covers by Greg Land and
Published July 4 and Aug 1, 2018

   Havok is back... problem is though is that nobody seems to want him around. While attempting to teach a class at the X-Mansion, Kitty makes it clear that the now wanted criminal isn't welcome in the X-Men at the moment.

Beat it, Cyclops-Lite!

   Meanwhile Colonel Callahan has the Reavers kidnap Miss Sinister. Shortly afterwards, he informs them that they're currently under his command, and he intends to use them to stop the X-Men.

Don't we know this guy?

   Havok continues his quest to build an unofficial team. Near the top of his list is Dr. Hank McCoy, who dismisses his class at Harvard to talk with his old friend. Their conversation is quickly interrupted by the Reavers. The two are joined by a zombiefied Banshee who zips out of some unknown location to help fight. With the screaming at a fevered pitch, Warpath also pops in out of nowhere to join the battle and the four are able to make quick work of the robotic assassins.

Well, that was pretty fast.

   Beast stays behind to dissect the cyborgs while Alex and James check on their old friend Colossus. Fresh off a breakup with Kitty and currently on a massive, vodka fueled bender, the Russian is in - as long as he gets to hit somebody.

"...drinking vodka and kicking ass... And we're almost out of vodka..."

   With news that he's downloaded some info, Beast informs Havok he's 36th on a list of X-Men to kill. One road trip later, the new team finds themselves in a barren nightclub. Former teammate Dazzler takes the stage, later meeting her old friends after the show along with ex-X-man Forge. Although the former mulletted tinkerer refuses their invite, a skirmish develops outside the club, and Dazzler is apparently in.

Another full page of MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

   As the group fights back, they eventually get the upperhand and beat their opponents back. When the dust settles, Warpath grabs some identification off the knocked out gunmen and reveals some federal badges. Looks like this team is going more and more rogue. What's gonna happen next? We'll have to wait to find out as this issue is left to be continued.

I can't tell what that says, but what gives it away that it's federal agents?

   So with Charles Soule out, head Punisher as well as Phoenix Resurrection author Matthew Rosenberg comes to the rescue. Also with former Spider-Man artist Oscar Bazaldua and Hulk artist Greg Land, i'd venture to say this title is finally on the right track. After the constant shifting of pencilers, maybe we'll get a little consistency. As far as writing, gotta say it's a pretty good story, if anything but a whole lot of B-squad X-Men.. I give this one an 8/10.

If you like this review, check out my video of it HERE.

You can also buy my physical copies of these books HERE and HERE.

Like comics? Check out my ebay wares HERE

Follow me at facebook, twitter, or instagram as well.

Tony Stark: Iron Man #1-2

SELF MADE MAN pts I-II

Written by Dan Slott
Penciled by Valerio Schiti
Covers by Alexander Lozano
Published June 20 and July 18, 2018

   The Dan Slott era for Iron Man begins with a flashback. A young Tony single handedly eliminates Bhang Robotics from it’s robot competition. Flash forward to today, and Tony asks his old challenger to come work for Stark Unlimited - a state of the art innovation wonderland. First person he meets is Bethany Cabe, head of security. Next up, it’s the very robotic Jacosta Pym. The round of introduction is cut short though, with the unexpected arrival of classic dragon Fin-Fang-Foom.
   Tony takes to the sky to battle the monster. Along with James Rhody Rhodes offering ground support, he unveils the biggest Iron Man suit ever. Problem is that the Foomster turns out to be much stronger than the Avenger remembered. Andy Bhang calls the play by play and Tony unveils Iron Nano...tech. Get it? Andy suggests a tune for the nanobots to dance to and in the process, destroys the disc keeping Foom under control and everything appears to be right in the Stark universe except for one thing... Bethany Cabe appears to be being mentall hijacked by none other than the Controller.
   Several days later, the crew prepares for another day at the office. Andy Bhang continues to meet new fellow employees including the now concrete Friday. Meanwhile Bethany reveals to the crew just who it is who's been stealing Stark tech.
   At Baintronics, Sunset Bain demonstrates to several world leaders her newest tech invention, the Manticore. Along with her first officer Gauntlet, the bidding increases until they're interrupted by Iron Man and War Machine.
   The fight begins and a PTSD stricken James Rhodes freaks out and ejects. Before long though, he comes to and equally ejects Manticore's pilot. With Rhodey at the helm, Manticore knocks Gauntlet out and the situation appears to be under control.
   The issue wraps with Jacosta getting busted in disguise. The humanoid robot is publicly humiliated by Bethany Cabe who doesn't recognize her while trying to fit in. Later she confides in her robot husband, I guess, that things aren't going so well at the office. Meanwhile, Tony and James talk over their new tech. With Rhodes having episodes, Tony explains that he too hasn't come back at 100%. What this means though, we'll have to wait, as this issue is left to be continued.
   Ok so I'm just gonna say it. Dan Slott is an amazing comic book writer who gets way too much shit on the internet for being a social justice warrior. Sure he's a self-proclaimed bleeding heart liberal, but at the end of the day, what comic writers aren't? Meanwhile, he's taking the unbelievable portfolio he built with Spider-Man and picking up beautifully where Brian Michael Bendis left off. And personally, I can't wait to see where he goes with it all. I give these two books a 10/10.

If you like this review, check out my video of it HERE.

You can also buy my physical copies of these books HERE and HERE.

Like comics? Check out my ebay wares HERE

Follow me at facebook, twitter, or instagram as well.

Daredevil #604-605

MAYOR MURDOCK pts IV and V

Written by Charles Soule
Penciled by Mike Henderson
Covers by Chris Sprouse
Published June 20 and July 11, 2018

   As Matt Murdock lies unconscious at City Hall, Father Jordan expels the evil sickness out of him. Later he explains he’s part of an ancient Catholic order designed to combat evil all the world over. His troops attack the Hand soldiers but will need both the father and Daredevil if they plan to defeat the Beast. Using a sword in lieu of batons, Daredevil beats the monster back - but it all turns out to be a diversion.

DD with the wicked sword action...

   The Beast flees from a window and as the soldiers unleash thousands of arrows at the Ordo Draconum. They’ll have to move quickly though... because back at city hall, Mayor Wilson Fisk has risen from his hospital bed. He eventually gets too worked up and passes out. All the while highlighting how fast Daredevil needs to act. They storm the Hand and make it to the stables, returning to fight the ninjas on horseback.

Looks like the devil of Hell's Kitchen could use these priests from time to time.

   Meanwhile, the Beast offers to end the siege in return for Blindspot, aka Samuel Chung. The NYPD refuses to hand him over but as the Hand storms towards them, Daredevil and the priests attack from behind. The fight is epic, and finally ends as Daredevil brings his sword down on the Beast.

This is hardcore.

   With the battle over, Father Jordan asks if the order can approach Blindspot for membership. Electra asks for the revenge she was promised and Matt delivers it - her torturer was none other than the Purple Man. The issue ends with Matt handing over the Mayor’s office back to Fisk in exchange for promising to end the assault on superheroes. As Foggy and Matt walk out, he overhears the Kingpin and Wesley talking about how he actually won the seat in the first place - some good old fashioned vote fixing. With that, this issue and story arc come to a final conclusion.

Cheating has always been a fine NYC tradition.

   So Father Jordan comes to the rescue with an army of medieval, vigilante priests? Ok... Look, anytime comics can apply mystic heroism to the ranks of normal human beings, it helps cement to readers that crime fighting doesn’t just have to come at the hands of the secret superpowers. Daredevil always shows the best of New York’s spirit, from the NYPD to even those forced to fight political corruption. Pretty neat. I give these two issues a 10/10.

If you like this review, check out my video of it HERE.

You can also buy my physical copy of these books HERE and HERE..

Like comics? Check out my ebay wares HERE

Follow me at facebook, twitter, or instagram as well.