X-Men Blue #14

MOJO WORLDWIDE pt IV

Written by Cullen Bun

Penciled by Jorge Molina
Cover by Arthur Adams
Published Oct 25, 2017

   As anchors struggle to broadcast the news over Mojo's television waves, it would appear people are interested. The spineless wonder is able to completely hijack the signals and directs everyone's attention back to him. Everytime he mentions death and destruction, the ratings see a spike. And with more spires on the way, it's even more imperative the X-Men are victorious.

Sorry, not sorry...

   They'll have their work cut out for them, as they battle in the savage land when suddenly Jean Gray is impaled through the shoulder. Colossus delivers a fastball special, and Jimmy slices her free and Nightcrawler teleports them to safety..  the team continues to battle fiercely when Mojo orders more spires on the ground in New York. They crash land as Magneto, Polaris and Danger investigate. Unfortunately the spires are tamperproof, and the trio quickly finds themselves in the Morlock tunnels. The Mauraders prepare for battle 

Now Creed... we're buddies. Remember?!

   Meanwhile another team of X-Men battle the Avengers when Cyclops has an idea. Could Longshot hack Mojo's signals and transport them out? He does just that, and as they disappear, Mojo becomes infuriated. Domo explains to him what's likely happened, and Mojo demands a side story to temporarily fill the void. With that, it's back to the tunnels as Magneto and his team keep fighting. They seem to be getting the upperhand, but their chances take a turn with the arrival of Apocalypse.
   Back in the Savage Land, the four horsemen surround the X-Men. Lucky for them, Longshot and his team appear and Kurt bamf's them all together. Longshot sends them all away again and as they wait for the cams to reboot, Jimmy smells something.

Guys! Something REEKS in here!

 When they all enter the vault, they find all of their previously killed teammates. Hank reanimates them all and they all share a well needed reunion. When they walk out, it slowly dawns on them - they're in Mojoworld.

   The issue wraps with the spires still falling all over town. Mojo is getting ready to warp every New Yorker's surroundings into his kind of town. How will the X-Men stop him this time? We'll have to wait as this issue is left to be continued.
   You know, the first thing I noticed about this issue is that Colossus threw Jimmy and Cullen Bunn didn't pull out the cheap and cheesy "fastball special" quip. It's the tiny things like this that are able to keep this X-book ahead of it's Gold counterpart. And if you like X-books with colors, Marvel just recently announced X-Men Red, with an even more confusing lineup to keep us guessing. I've mentioned on twitter that I miss Uncanny, and with all the Legacy renumbering, was seriously hoping for it's relaunch. As far as this one issue goes though, it had it all. You have to hand it to these writers who can give you such an expansive crossover with just two books... It's almost refreshing. I give this one a 9/10.

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Amazing Spider-Man #790

FALL OF PETER PARKER pt II

Written by Dan Slott

Penciled by Stuart Immonen
Cover by Alex Ross
Published Oct 25, 2017

   Peter Parker meets with his now former employees, expressing regret the way things turned out. He asks them to forgive him - a fact that later Harry reminds him, that few companies ever admit wrongdoing. Either way, there's only one thing left to sell. But before Harry can get Pete to meet about the Baxter Building, he takes off again.

It's not Peter Parker if he just doesn't mysteriously run off all the time.

   Of course his destination is to the skies, where Spider-Man can let off some steam. His vacation away from trouble though will be fleeting, as Clash meets with his henchman at the now destroyed former nightclub, Beyond Forever. He refuses to allow his intellectual property be included in Parker Industries' fire sale, and he intends to get it back.
   Meanwhile, Harry meets with former Baxter Building resident Human Torch, who's less than enthusiastic about the sale. Across town, Spidey continues his redemption tour by helping out around New York.

"Oh hey, Harry... Why are you yelling?"

 He's quickly pulled away to deal with the war of words between Harry Osborne and Johnny Storm. Once the former Fantastic Four member hears the truth, he attacks in anger. Parker told them he'd hold onto the building until their return, but at this point, Pete's done apologizing. The only problem is that their argument just might destroy the only asset Parker Industries has left.

Everybody SHUT UP!

   As luck would have it, their fight is the perfect cover for Clayton Cole to break in under their nose. He grabs his sonic transducer, while Spidey and the Torch are hard at work destroying the FF's old statue. Finally they're able to get their attention, and Harry shows them the footage of the break in, already in progress. They intervene, and Clash tells him he only wants what's his. While they engage the supervillain, his henchmen try to make a break with the merchandise. Only problem is they don't know what they're doing, and all the fail safes from keeping the building have been disabled by, you guessed it.
   Quick thinking, Spidey tells him to create a harmonic frequency with the transducer while Torch does some spot welding. It works. Meanwhile the robbers try to make a getaway but are thwarted. Clash however, escapes. Pete declines to pursue him, a decision that enrages Harry to the point of walking out. Johnny tells him to let it be, and the two head up high for some super hero shop talk.

Wah! My life is so hard.... WAAAAAAAH!

   The issue ends with Pete's phone ringing. He reaches in the suit for his phone but there's a surprising voice on the other end. Joe Robertson asks how he'd like working for the Bugle again. But this time as a science reporter, not a photographer. We'll have to wait till next time though as this issue is left to be continued.
   It looks like Start Immonen's run on this book comes to an end on the next issue, and that's too bad. Some of these pencils have been super sharp, a fact that contrasts beautifully next to Alex Ross's oil paintings. Also, for all the grief Dan Slott gets, he's doing some dynamite work on this book at the moment. Maybe Clash isn't Electro or Doctor Octopus, but Slott has shown once again he can do more with less - a gift that continues to serve him well. He's crushing it on this books Legacy run so far. So much so that I give this one a 10/10.

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Despicable Deadpool #288

DEADPOOL KILLS CABLE pt II

Written by Gerry Duggan
Penciled by Scott Koblish
Cover by David Lopez
Published Oct 25, 2017

   Cable sits in prison, accused of being Stryfe, and warning the TVA officer that Deadpool is probably on his way. The officer doubts this being able to happen until Cable explains how. Using the Avengers database to map known past TVA encounters, getting information out of that person, and now he's probably about to walk through the door. 

ALWAYS with the glowing eye...

   Meanwhile, Deadpool uses the severed head of another officer to gain entry using the retinal scans and is searching for Cable. His story though spooked the guard enough to grant him a phone call. The time traveler calls his very older future self and explains what's happened, but the advice he provides isn't helpful. Either way, the guard gives him a rifle and he steps out of the cells to fight.

Good choice.

   Deadpool is leaving a trail of dead on his way through the prison. Still equipped with Cable's time traveling arm, he continues his murder trek until finally he sees him. Stabbing the guard, he puts a gun to Cable's head. As he prepares to fire, Cable congratulates him for almost pulling it off. But in the process, speaks some words that immediately puts the arm back in his control. He then uses it to beat the undying motormouth. He calls for his AI Belle to run disenfectant protocols. She puts the little devil Deadpool AI in the wood chipper for a quick Fargo joke.

Put him in the woodchipper, eh?

   Cable rips his arm off Wade and reattaches it. He lowers his machine gun and tells him that when he wakes up, there's gonna be a lot of questions about Stryfe. If he doesn't like it, he's going to end his Deadpool problem once and for all. He squeezes the trigger, and with that we're left to be continued.
   One of my younger forays into comics was associated with the end of the New Mutants. Issue 98 introduced us to old Wade Wilson, and an X-Force series later, kept him voiced for a long time by his creator Rob Liefeld. I complained loudly about Gerry Duggan's writing in the past but he's solidly brought this character's voice to him in a serious and still quippy way. For a long time he seemed just like a Joker/Punisher hybrid, but a lot less maniacal. This time around, Duggan's totally getting it and deserves to be recognized for it. I give this one a 10/10.

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Daredevil #28

LAND OF THE BLIND, finale

Written by Charles Soule
Penciled by Ron Garney
Cover by Ron Garney
Published Oct 25, 2017

   Daredevil is in trouble. Given to the beast by Sam, it opens it’s mouth and greets him. For a long time, he’s been an enemy of the Hand. Far bigger than Tenfingers ever was. He instantly finds himself free of pain but it’s fleeting, as he’s run through by the ninjas.

Dang. Looks like it hurts.

   Outside the temple, Sam hears Matt’s screams and it gives him pause. His mother asks him what did he expect? This was the deal and he can’t look back. But as he hears his former mentor suffer, he has the lingering thought that leaving him there is wrong. Meanwhile Tenfingers calls Daredevil a fool and tells him to stay down and stop fighting. Daredevil struggles to his feet and suddenly the Beast’s minion is stabbed through the back. Sam couldnt’ leave him there. He’s intervened and broken his oath. 

Traitor!

   As the beast rises to destroy the two, it’s riddled with arrows from Sam’s mother. She screams at them to run. Daredevil is shocked that Lu Wei came back to help him. But the beast plucks her from her perch. She didn’t come back for Daredevil. She came back for Sam, as the beast swallows her down. Daredevil and Blindspot look back helplessly, as the temple disappears. He screams in sorrow as they are left on the mountain all alone.
   Later the two of them gather their thoughts in the cafe.Why would it just leave them? Sam takes the opportunity to tell Matt why he became Blindspot in the first place. His invisibility suit could have made him millions but he was an illegal alien. The fact that he and his people can be deported at any time is maddening. Matt asks him isn’t that why he should go back? He brings him back to New York as an asylum claim. Keeping him there long term will be a process. Suddenly Matt hears troubling news. He borrows a strangers phone and makes a phone call. Foggy answers. The rumors are true. He was out for a long time. In his absence, the Kingpin has been elected Mayor of New York City. Matt can’t believe it, and with that, we’re left to be continued.

For reals?

   Daredevil’s foray into the Marvel Legacy era begins with the next issue. Having said that, these books that have quietly flowed under the radar have been classics in their own time. Charles Soule is the greatest writer of this character in the last decade and he deserves to be recognized for it. His story’s are rich and combined with Ron Garney’s minimalist style, just pop together. It’s great. I’m looking forward to see where this series goes forward as it is finally recognized with it’s true numbering. For this one, I give it a perfect 10/10... because I don’t think it gets much better than this...

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Justice League #31

LEGACY, finale

Written by Bryan Hitch
Penciled by Fernando Pasarin
Cover by Bryan Hitch
Published Oct 18, 2017

   The Sovereign tries to reason with Wonder Woman, but the darkness has taken hold. Aquaman tells the children this is what happens in the future. The darkness takes the league and the kids are the only ones who save them. Hunter rejects the temptations and rallies his team, while at the same time intervening in the fight between Diana and Hippolyta.

He's still mad that Fernando drew his mom's face so weird.

   Meanwhile Aquaman battles Superman and the Lantern kids fight Jessica, with both fights seeing them on the losing end. The Justice-parents all reject the Justice-Kids in anger as the Darkness seizes control. Finally Batman shows up with a red solar flare to power down Clark while Mera stabs at Dory with a trident. Aquaman jumps between them and takes the blow, later being blasted by his future daughter. He tells Serenity that he kills Mera in the future to save her. He never hated her for the banishment she sentenced him to, but the conversation is cut short as Mera impales him from behind.

"So look, I just wanted to tell you... GNAAAAH! I did NOT SEE THAT COMING!"

   As the Green Lanterns battle, Baz lies near death while the kids fight Jess with all they have. They finally have an idea, hitting her with a yin-yang approach - black and white light. It tricks the darkness and the resurrect Simon. They fill him in while Cyborg and his son Cube battle.   
   Meanwhile Sovereign lies defeated, getting Hunter's attention before he strikes down his mother. She asks him if he ever wondered why she abandoned him.. Recently infected with the Darkness, she gave him up to save him. He was protected by the Clarks... with love. She tells him the only way to defeat this monster is to make their future parents find their true selves. Cube tells his father that he knows he loves him, showing him images of when he was a baby. Cyborg cries, and fights the hatred back.

All the feels.

   As the battle rages, the Darkness is weakened but still too strong. Finally the Green Lantern kids fly up and make some sort of weird love vacuum out of green light energy. It pulls up the black tendrils and they form it into a ball. Sovereign and Aquaman say their goodbyes, taking the ball into a boom tube to nowhere.
   The issue wraps with the Justice League and their kids celebrating a week long peaceful reunion. They all hug and talk about the future, but it's time for the Justice-Kids to go back to their timelines. They wave goodbye and disappear into the sea. With that, this story arc concludes and everybody lives happily ever after... except I guess Aquaman and Wonder Woman's mom, who are probably in some hell with the Darkness. Dang. Sad.

Everybody's happy. Can't you tell from those beefy faces?

   You know, if Bryan Hitch could just write the issues and maybe pencil the faces for Fernando, this book would be about perfect. And yeah, that's all I have to complain about to they must be doing something right. With this issue, the Justice League embarks on their Metal arc which everyone is excited about. This was a good issue... Wordy but good. Maybe that's why Brian Michael Bendis is headed to DC. Either way, I give this one a 10/10.

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Invincible Iron Man #593

THE SEARCH FOR TONY STARK pt I

Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Penciled by Stefano Caselli and Alex Maleev
Cover by Adi Granov
Published Oct 18, 2017

   In Dover, Tony rests silently in the compression chamber that has kept his unconscious body alive when a mystery person touches it. Friday, Tony's special robo-ambassador gives an update and his mother, Amanda kicks off the Tony Stark International Sciences Expo in New York. She begins to break down but keeps it together, introducing Ironheart to the crowd in true rockstar Iron Man fashion.

Keep it together, mystery mom.

   Backstage, Mary Jane is reacquainted with Stark Industries board member Erik Lynch, who breaks the news to her that the board has voted. Effective Monday, they're taking over the company. MJ's takes it in but is alerted to a more pressing matter. An alarm has gone off in Dover requiring immediate attention.

MJ, you remember me? I'm a huge asshole.

   Meanwhile at Rykers Island, all of the prisoners Doom brought to the prison have escaped. He appears from above and as the guards debate whether to shoot, he puts a spell on them requiring them to seek hugs. Suddenly the Thing appears and tells Victor he isn't leaving the island. Victor asks that if SHIELD is no more, Ben doesn't have the authority to pursue him any longer. He tells Doom that he doesn't get to walk away from this. He can't just become a good guy on a whim. Doom teleports away leaving the guards confused as to what just happened.

Ben Grimm loses again.

    In Dover, Tony's mom, MJ, Riri, and Friday investigate the empty chamber, debating as to whom to call. Friday informs them she no longer senses his presence via microchip. If he has indeed been kidnapped, is it an Avengers issue? An FBI issue? Did he sneak off and not want to be found? The discussion continues as Brian Michael Bendis goes on a dialogue tirade. Finally Friday suggests they could call Dr. Doom for help.

Hope DC is ready for all the typing Bendy is bringing them.

   The issue wraps with a mystery man emerging from some sort of chamber. Completely shaved and weak, he struggles to his feet and reaches a model 4 Iron Man suit. Slowly, he very painfully suits up in the armor, finally resting in the fetal position. Who is this man? We'll have to wait to find out as this issue is left to be continued.

...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

   With the very recent news breaking that Bendis is leaving Marvel for DC, this issue hits me in an odd way. As I'm sure I'll have a few more opportunities to complain about him, just as I've fawned over his writing in the past, he really made this character. It was clearly one of his greatest marks on anything at Marvel, as well as his run with Dr. Doom's conversion. I think he's going to be missed in these pages, though it gives him a real chance to change the iconic characters over there as well. As for one of his final issues prior to the news breaking, I give this one a 10/10.

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X-Men Gold #14

MOJO WORLDWIDE pt III

Written by Marc Guggenheim
Penciled by Marc Laming
Cover by Dan Mora
Published Oct 18 2017

   Cyclops, Prestige, Kitty and Longshot face off with Magneto although they have a hard time placing the scenario. Their uniforms change into their early 90's appearance and as Magneto moves to attack Rachel, Scott has had enough. He announces that working with Magneto is a mistake, a revelation Shadowcat Kitty and Marvel Girl Rachel were unaware of.

Wait - you were serious about that?! WE THOUGHT YOU WERE KIDDING!

   Meanwhile Team 2 fights in Asgard, later being teleported into The X-Tinction Agenda. Young Iceman and Warren have no knowledge of the event and Wipeout neutralizes Angel's powers. Later a magistrate murders him. Iceman charges and is machine gunned, leading to both Storm and Logan also being killed.

In Mojo-World, either X-Men die easily or they've just been REALLY lucky the last 50 years.

   In the studio, Mojo declares a plot twist as the monitors behind him show scores of X-Men dying. Major Domo whispers something in his ear and we go to Inferno. Goblin Queen Jean is eventually challenged by the real Madelyn Pryor, choking her and asking if it's any wonder Scott truly loved her more. At the same time, Kitty has a hard time understanding how the X-Men are working with the apparently alive Magneto when they're shifted into yet another era.

Just pretend I'm not here.

   At the school, Anole, Eye Boy, and Nature Girl watch as they're confined to the area in a forcefield and unable to assist. That leads to the X-Men facing off against the Avengers. Cap hits Kitty with his shield and Prestige quickly knocks him down. Back in the Inferno simulation, Jean makes fast work of the Goblin Queen and the scenery changes yet again. This time they're in the Savage Land, with some of the newest additions of the team being unfamiliar. Hank points out that the situation has quickly gotten worse, with the Horsemen of Apocalypse standing guard while a Phoenix/Sentinel hybrid braces to attack. With that, we're left to be continued.

Oh great! THIS!

   With the Blue and Gold books being published bi-monthly, this story is advancing at a rate I'm not too experienced with. Mojo is one of the coolest supervillains ever but with a new chapter of this crossover literally coming out every week, these X-Men are fighting in almost real time. Ok, not really. But you know what I'm saying. It's neat to showcase all these important moments in the series history, not to mention see these newer...older X-Men handle them. But it's seeming like more and more of a cheap thrill. I'm still down to see where it goes though. I give it a 7/10.

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