Amazing Spider-Man #25

Written by Dan Slott

Penciled by Stuart Immonen
Cover by Alex Ross
Published Mar 15, 2017

   In Delvadia, Spider-Man's team takes out a drug cartel while a mysterious invisible woman curses them for interfering. Keeping her cover, Tarantula asks to take over the mission but Nick Fury tells them Spidey stays in charge. Between him, Mockingbird, Tarantula and Devil Spider, they know they're in the right place by seeing the goblins. Kingpin's information was correct - this is where Norman Osborne has been hiding.
   Back on the streets, the translucent stranger sets bombs in the road but is forced to create a diversion once their spotted by the residents. Meanwhile, Spider-Man's team is growing weary of their team leader. He reminds them where the spiderpods if they wanna bail out and Mockingbird tries to convince Spidey he needs backup. He tells them he needs a win and their target is actually the Goblin. Meanwhile, the bombs detonate topside. He tells the team to take the baddies and head out, but Bobbi is sticking with him.
   They spot the target, but as they capture him, he insists he isn't Norman Osborne. He drags the perp into the pool and detonating a pumpkin bomb at the bottom, they escape. Later tests reveal the disguised man is not Osborne much to the chagrin of a disappointed Spider-Man. Discovering that the true identity of the stolen face was captured, the real Norman Osborne prepares to switch up his face once again while back stateside, Peter Parker heads to the cemetery to reflect on the past events of the Jackal encounter.
   Pete goes to Aunt May's apartment and inside, enjoys a reunion with her, Betty Brandt, Harry and young Stanley Osborne. Harry asks Peter to discuss some things with Betty, who tells him she recently received a voicemail from her dead ex-husband, Ned. Once again a clone from the Jackal, Peter is more disturbed by his actions affecting others. He boards a commercial flight with Bobbi to continue the search for the Goblin as well as attend an event for the Uncle Ben Foundation in Hong Kong and after weirdly asking her out, is surprised on the flight by Aunt May and Harry. They land and Pete plans for their immediate return as soon as the gala is over.
   Spidey and Mockingbird go to work busting heads. In one of the oddest white guilt moments I've seen in comics recently, Spider-Man is conflicted about beating up Asian people... in Hong Kong for some reason, which I guess is just Dan Slott's attempt to out-social justice warrior Brian Michael Bendis. Either way they eventually track down one of the perps who knows the plan, using the Uncle Ben Foundation as cover. There, a disquised Norman Osborne sees Aunt May and plans a face to face when suddenly he hears someone address a "Mr Osborne...". Seeing they meant his son Harry, as well as learning he changed his name out of shame, he tells himself that he has one final lesson to teach him.
  That lesson is interrupted by a sniper rifle, and the person aiming it is this mysterious invisible woman. As luck would have it, Spider-Man and Mockingbird have gotten there just in time. As they knock the gun from her hands and Spider-Man electrifies her stealth frying it and revealing it to be Silver Sable. She says she isn't dead and that what Spider-Man just did is save Norman Osborn's life... and with that we're left to be continued.
   Dan Slott is a good writer, but like so many fans who've criticized him in the past, I'm slowly being counted among them. Why this story has to be so complicated, I won't ever know. The fact that he made Peter Parker awkwardly ask Mockingbird out and then the weird crack about beating up Asians in an Asian country makes zero sense other than trying to use up pages. He's been writing this book forever and it wouldn't break my heart for Marvel to shake the tree a little bit. I give it a 6/10 with hope it gets better in time.

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Justice League #17

Written by Bryan Hitch
Penciled by Fernando Pasarin
Cover by Fernando Pasarin
Published Mar 15, 2017

   Superman flies out to face Tempus, the Timeless Mind and demands to know where his family is. The massive being can't figure out Superman's existence, as there are other timeline he sees but the conversation between them quickly turns tense. Tempus filters the solar radiation and forces Superman to cooperate. Meanwhile in Ancient Greece, Zeus feels the supernatural power dwarfing Olympus and Wonder Woman explains to them that's what she came here to stop. They agree to help her get inside it in return for her helping their family escape. In Central City, Flash runs towards the Timeless machine to engage it while in Ancient Atlantis, Aquaman holds the citizens back while the gigantic Timeless ship tries to connect to the Earth Stone.
   In 26th century DC, the Lanterns feel the gigantic battery pulling their rings towards it, building power. While in 30th century Metropolis, Cyborg questions the young boy who found him when he arrived in the future. The child senses a cross temporal vortex fueled by speed, green energy, and mythological magic. He hands Cyborg a special bracelet that allows him to fly up towards it. That brings us back to Superman, who tells the timeless mind that all he wanted was a normal existence. He asks about Lois and Jon again and Tempus tells him they're safe in their original timeline. He seeks to move the earth however, to keep a dangerous force from spilling out and destroying the universe. Superman explains to him that Molly, the timekeeper, sent the Justice League through time to destroy each of the power sources. Tempus moves to stop each one of them, but they all still make their ways towards the power sources... Cyborg, the Lanterns, Aquaman by way of Atlantean magic, and Wonder Woman with the help of the Olympians. 
   Made to choose between his family and the future, Superman tells the Tempus that he and his friends will defeat this attempt to change the present, that they always do. Batman sees his queue, and by gathering the hands in the Infinity Corporation to battle, the final page reveals Alexis Luthor's Warsuit which once belonged to her father. Battle will ensue but it will have to wait, as we're left to be continued.
   I know what I'm getting into every time I sit down with this book: An absurd amount of dialogue and about 15 different things going on that Hitch literally spends one page (and in some instances, 2 or 3 panels) updating. It's tough to keep up with and even tougher to write a review of. Still, it's not like it's any surprise. It would be nice to get a little downtime with our favorite super friends but duty across the universe calls - and takes as many words as necessary to relay that fact.

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Daredevil #18

Written by Charles Soule

Penciled by Ron Garney
Cover by Ron Garney
Published Mar 15, 2017

   Matt Murdock meets with Father Jordan in the confessional. There's a lot on Daredevil's mind but it all starts with the Purple Children who showed up at the end of the previous issue. To tell that story begins with the Purple Man - Zebediah Kilgrave. He has the power to make anyone within the sound of his voice do exactly as he says. His skin releases a special pheromone, and given what he's managed to do with this power, he's pure evil.
   Daredevil last saw him in prison. He escaped by conning a guard into bringing an unmasked woman into the cell's vicinity. The woman is able to overpower the guard by way of the Purple Man and kill him. Later using the keycard on the guard's uniform, she frees him and he presumably kills anyone who gets in the way of his escape. Matt Murdock is once again pulled into the Purple Man's life when 2 of his children show up at his door seeking help. It seems that hordes of people were sent to retrieve them, and completely hypnotized, break bones in their hands to pull Daredevil's door down.
   He hurriedly brings his girlfriend Kirsten and the 2 purple children into the panic room and shuts the door behind them although Matt stays on the outside. Quickly changing into his costume, he fights the brainwashed people in ways to avoid hurting them. After incapacitating them all, he questions the 2 boys. They've recently been cut off from communicating with their brothers. And seeing as the more children the Purple Man has at his disposal, the more powerful he becomes. Daredevil agrees to accompany the children to save their siblings.
   Once they get in range, Daredevil sees the machine Zebediah has built with empty pods for his remaining escaped children. He pulls the children to the level below but he's powerless to stop them. Completely under his control, Daredevil walks the children to the machine. The Purple Man asks "Shall we play a game?" and with that - the issue is left to be continued.
   I've been reading a good bit of this series lately and this issue is just another amazing chapter in this man's life. While this book doesn't seem to get the accolades it's brethren series Are often rewarded, it's probably par for the course and what this title should always be remanded to: A good under-the-radar read and a classic in it's own time. I give it a 9/10. 

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Daredevil #10

Written by Charles Soule
Penciled by Ron Garney
Cover by Ron Garney
Published Aug 10, 2016

   Enjoying being back home in New York, Daredevil takes the opportunity to chase down a criminal just to enjoy Manhattan's Upper East Side. Being constantly reacquainted with a place, even something as new as a flagpole, could one day save his life. He follows him into an apartment and the fight suddenly becomes 1 on 4. And Daredevil couldn't be happier.
   Back at the DA office, Samuel Chung AKA Blindspot walks in to ask Matt Murdock if there's anything else he needs. He has a big night planned, and Matt can tell he's planning on going back out as Blindspot even though he's still nursing a healing broken arm. Matt lets him go, and even offers him his temp job on a permanant basis. Sam is beyond grateful. Matt's night however is just beginning, as he's got night court. Before the other attorneys leave for the night, they offer Matt a little hazing in return for his quick rise through the DA's office. Back in his defense attorney days, he'd be knocking back a few cocktails already at Del Frisco's. Now he spends his evenings as a servant of the lower courts.
   In Chinatown, Blindspot dons his costume for the first time in awhile. He picks up a card with his name on it at the shrine, and when he walks into the destination, he finds something horrifying. Freaking out, he calls Daredevil telling him he's found a body. Matt asks his paralegal to horse trade with the other attorneys in exchange for an emergency night off, and he runs to Sam's aid. When he gets there, a massive mural painted in blood on the wall gets his attention. A body, holding a paintbrush and buckets full of blood, awaits the duo. Blindspot asks if they should call the cops and Daredevil tells him they should, offering to call it in as an anonymous tip if it would keep Blindspot's cover from being blown. Not to mention get some undeserved attention to his illegal immigrant status.
   Daredevil runs his fingers on the wall. He tells Blindspot it's not just the blood of one person. By his count, which could admittingly be off by one or two, he senses it's the blood of at least 113 people. And with that, we're left to be continued.
   Charles Soule is still crushing this series and it's getting better and better. Ron Garney's artwork pops off the page, incredibly using few colors and doing more with what it takes some penciler/inker teams using a whole palette. Another chapter in the life of the man without fear, and again it doesn't disappoint. I give it an 8/10.

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Spider-Man #14

Written by Brian Michael Bendis

Penciled by Sara Pichelli
Cover by Sara Pichelli
Published Mar 15, 2017

   Ganke, Fabio, and Miles sit in the dormroom at Brooklyn Visions still recapping his story - all of which transpired in the time it took Ganke to do a geometry assignment. Sitting in a Tree Part 5 finds Spider-Gwen back in her home world but now with no Miles.Talking to the watch, she tells whomever is on the other end of it that she needs help or else they're all in trouble. Finally it dings, pinpointing his coordinates in a less than informative conversation.
   Four minutes prior, he'd thrown the transporter watch to Gwen, grabbing one of the members of SILK and leaving her and Ms Marvel guessing. He jumps through a portal and lands right in front of his dad/Scorpion in hopes of just simply talking. Not even considering that, he charges Miles and Gwen suddenly teleports in, kicking Scorpion in the face. As his goons keep shooting, one of them hits the vortex, pulling Gwen through it and eventually as he loses his grip - Spider-Man as well. Luckily he lands on his back on a rooftop, reuniting with her. Embracing happily because they're still alive, they eventually notice they're in a dark Midtown, and who should be staring at them but 1930's Spider-Man Noir. Gwen taps the watch and this time, the city they land in stinks. Noticing the Daily Planet logo behind them, Bendis takes a quick and hilarious dig at DC. Next up they land in a post apocalyptic Walking Dead version of Spidey's greatest rivals. Just before the walkers get their hands on them, they teleport again but this time, become interdimensionally separated.
   Gwen is suddenly falling. She lands on a rooftop in front of a gigantic sign congratulating Spider-Man and Woman on 20 years of wedded bliss. Clearly freaked out, her watch dings. Spider-Man finds himself alone as well and not knowing what to do. His spider-sense buzzes and he sees Scorpion hiding behind some tiles. Leaping into action, he slugs him... but this time, a confused Jefferson tells his son to stop. Miles looks at his father, puzzled, and with that we're left to be continued.
   Fantastic issue. I love the references only a purist like Brian Michael Bendis can throw in. It's been years since I've seen Spider-Man Noir in anything and it was good to catch a glimpse. not to mention a red streak across the Metropolis sky could only be only one Kryptonian we know and love. I'm enjoying this series and the saga of Miles Morales only gets better and better. I give this one a 9/10.

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Deadpool #16

Written by Gerry Duggan
Penciled by Mike Hawthrone
Cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Published Aug 3, 2017

   The Mercs are pissed. Just as Deadpool discovers them in his bank looking through the safety deposit box, he asks why he shouldn't blow them all to bits when he's attacked from behind. Unfortunately for all of them, the hotwire on the vault door trips and slams shut, trapping them all there until morning. Once inside, they all let him have it - airing all their grievences. He said he never asked for any of his fame, not to mention that they all knew the terms of the deal. Solo says it's all his fault. He put on Deadpool's mask and things just sort of fell into place. He was hired by a man who told him his wife had been kidnapped. Only problem is that once he had his rifle trained on the guy, he noticed snipers on a nearby roof and a dignitary motorcade who pulled up. Deadpool was being set up as a patsy.
   Instead of running from the fight, he teleports down and saves the ambassador. Once he finds out the guys detail is also compromised, he steals a puppy shaped mobile pet wash unit to drive the ambassador out of the danger zone. Teleporting from car after car chasing them, he eventually saves him while later being mistaken for Spider-Man. Later he's given a free coupon to Outback, enjoying the notoriety for saving someone but let down because he did it in another mercs uniform.
   As he spins his tale, Deadpool puts it together that clearly this was yet another opportunity Madcap had to inject himself into Wade's life. He meant to frame him but since Solo intervened, it didn't work out. Angry, Deadpool punches Solo for lying - saying the government said it was a telepathic attack when it was clear that Madcap intervened. Solo says who cares about Madcap... he erased himself. Deadpool tells the rest of the mercs that no, he didn't erase himself. He just hit the reset button.
   The issue ends with a cameo page. A silhouetted figure walks amount the woods saying that he knows what he wants him to do but he won't do it. The distinctive Madcap font reveals that we know exactly who he's talking to. A freaky, torso emerging Madcap tells him he WILL do whatever Madcap wants him to do or else he'll make things unpleasant. And with that, we're left to be continued.
   Like I've said before, Gerry Duggan writes back to back issues that are good and then embarrassingly bad. Maybe he's broken the mold and given us two good ones in a row, because this one was a winner. I enjoy being able to get more of Solo's backstory without having to read the mercs book or whatever other spinoff books that Deadpool generates. Great artwork too. I give it an 8/10.

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Old Man Logan #10

Written by Jeff Lemire

Penciled by Andrea Sorrentino
Cover by Andrea Sorrentino
Published Aug 10, 2016

   Logan hears Maureen's voice, telling him to wake up..Telling him he's in trouble. Only fair warning - he's not gonna like what he finds when he wakes up. Run through with arrows, he's at the bottom of a well. He withdraws his claws and scales the walls until he reaches the top. When he gets there, he sees a face telling him that while impressive, his efforts are futile. With the draw and firing of an arrow, he sends Logan back to the bottom of the well. Telling him that he's been trying to kill Logan for the last 4 days, he'll keep trying until he finds a way. Logan tells him that isn't likely. He already knows who he is and he's already killed him once.
   A flashback reminds us how Logan got there. During he and Maureen's travels through the wastelands, the couple ended up in Japan and by decree, became property of the Silent Order. Refraining from using his claws, Maureen sees Logan murdered and then unexplainably healed. General Sohei remands them to the Master and on the way, Logan has quite a lot to explain. Back in the present, Sohei asks Logan how he knows who he is - and that the prophecy must be true. Logan asks about Deathstrike and Sohei tells him she's still alive - the perfect bait to draw the Wolverine out of Kilhorn Falls. Logan climbs the walls again, taking arrow after arrow and telling the general that eventually he's going to run out of arrows. Back to the wastelands, Maureen asks why Logan never told her he had powers and he explains he never wanted her to know about that life. The things he did, he can never ever do again. She asks him if her thinks she never had to do things she regretted and the man once known as Wolverine tells her "Not like me you didn't..."
   In the present, Logan pulls himself out to the well but Sohei tells him he'll likely crawl back in there when it's over. Deathstrike, alone and locked in a birdcage tells him it's no use, but Logan tells her that well, we'll just see about that.." He prepares against Sohei but he laughingly tells him that the Wolverine won't just have to fight. To fight him is to fight the entire Silent Order. To kill him, he will have to kill them all and with that, the issue is left to be continued.
   I recently started reading the new Avengers series, which admittingly came out months after this but I see traces of Sorrentino's influence rubbing off. The only problem is that it doesn't come close to matching this. I don't know if it's the artwork in association with the story or whether the art comes off as rushed and crappy but this book may have ruined me. Drawing similarities from the Wolverine and Havok Meltdown series from nearly 30 years ago, nobody can replicate what this book is doing. Amazing and continuing to be, I give it a 10/10 as usual and can't wait for the next one.

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