Avengers #3-4

Written by Jason Aaron

Penciled by Paco Medina and Ed McGuinness

Covers by Ed McGuinness
Published June 20 and July 4, 2018

   Under attack in New York by a giant celestial controlled by Loki, Cap throws his shield at some warp grenades, transporting the three of them into the sun. Once there, Loki explains to him the final host's plan for world annihilation. He whisks the three of them back towards the north pole to reveal the source of the celestial's infection - the Progenitor.

Well that doesn't look all that scary...

  Meanwhile inside Earth's core, Dr Strange and Black Panther are joined by Ghost Rider and She-Hulk. Using the flaming car, the four of them soon rendezvous with Captain Marvel and the Avengers where they plan to split up.

Let's split up again.

   She-Hulk and Thor zip away to Old Asgard where Odin tells his son about the ancient Avengers. A long long time ago, they fought one celestial and defeated it. Moreover, there's a weapon they used that might help them defeat it again - the Blood of Ymr. Problem is that Thor almost freezes to death getting it, but luckily She-Hulk is there to make out with him to warm him up.

#metoo.

   Iron Man and Dr Strange to to Greece, where apparently most of the Eternals have died fighting each other. Bur Icarus uses the last of his strength to show him the "Unimind". Whatever that is, I guess we'll find out later.

Uni-Huh?!

   Black Panther and Captain Marvel head for Alpha Flight's spacestation where she reports readings of giant insects exploding from the bodies of fallen celestials.
   The issue wraps with the team all returning to each other with their gained weapons and knowledge. But will it be enough to stop Loki and the Final Host? We'll have to wait as this issue is left to be continued.

Back in the day.

   So while this series has been renumbered once again, it's good that it retains its' Legacy numbering on the cover. Reason being is that Jason Aaron has seamlessly picked up where the stable of writers he took over from had left off. This series is once again amazing and it just keeps getting better. Awesome story telling and artwork to book, I give these two a solid 10/10.

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Champions #21

NORTHERN LIGHTS finale

Written by Jim Zub
Penciled by Sean Izaakse
Cover by Stefano Casselli
Published June 20, 2018

   Fresh off Alpha Flight showing up to catch the Master, the Champions aren't all that eager to let the Canadian all stars take away such a progressive supervillain. Fisticuffs break out rather hurriedly, while Spider-Man works to save the brainwashed Amka below the surface.

Hello naked person. I'm Spider-Man.

   Suddenly she morphs into some kind of northern energy abomination, attacking the heroes who immediately announce a truce. Talisman uses her powers to calm the girl down. Now freed from his hold, the girl explains that the Master was using Sila's energy like a battery. Faced with his now protectors turning on him, he destroys the entire machine and I guess runs away.. They never really clear that up.

Suicide?

   With the conflict now settled, Captain Marvel and Ms Marvel apologize to each other while Amka’s mother tells her she should leave home and become a superhero. With that, I guess she’s now in the Champions and this arc comes to a quickly resolved conclusion.

WEEEEEE!

   So leave it up to the young teenage superhero’s to be the ones who want to save the world. And conversely leave it up to the Canadians to zip in and tell them how dumb they are. Honestly though - that’s about everything I genuinely look for in this series. These are the young guard of the Marvel universe, and they should be free to explore the ideals it’ll take to change humanity for the better. It’s good that Jim Zub also puts in that dose of reality. Because while it’s easy enough to suspend belief that people with superpowers exist, it’s even more of a tall order to believe the youth will able to change it. I give this one an 8/10.

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Venom #2-4

REX pts II-IV

Written by Donny Cates

Penciled by Ryan Stegman
Covers by Ryan Stegman
Published June 13, June 27, and July 25, 2018

   As you flip through this book, it kind of brings to mind one question... Why hasn't Donny Cates written for Venom all along?

Cates knows gore.

   While this series of books is pretty slow and plodding, each one seems to deliver in it's own way. Obviously Venom is a darker book. Previous writer Mike Costa did what he could do with it, and somehow Cates has upped the ante all while lowering the contrast even more.

Stegman really had to use the shit out of those black markers.

   Venom hasn't been feeling well lately. As issue #1 showed, the reason for that is that there's some kind of demon coming. That demon just so happens to be the god of the Klyntar - the ancient race of symbiotes.

Oh, well aren't you terrifying?

   While you thought you knew about the monster's origins, I'm pretty sure nobody saw this Dracula looking ghoul ripping and dripping all over the galaxy coming. Eddie thought the Klyntar were a peacful race, but it turns out they're just in a cage for the Allgod, Knull.

Knull.. Like "Null" or "KUH-Null?"

   Another awesome turn was introducing the rudderless Miles Morales into the Venom universe. It's been a little while since Spider-Man's alternate-uni version has been seen thanks to Brian Michael Bendis bailing on Marvel for DC, but it's clear Cates has an interesting vision for one of our favorite webslingers.

BMB gonna be mad y'all beating up his guy like that.

   I really like this series. Like I mentioned before, this creative team isn't in a hurry to get anywhere fast and that's perfectly ok. Whether Venom is supposed to be good or bad at the moment, this book is supposed to be kind of a perfect nightmare. And what a perfect nightmare it is. I give these books a 9/10.

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Immortal Hulk #3-4

Written by Al Ewing

Penciled by a lot of people
Covers by Alex Ross
Published July 18 and August 1, 2018

   So I've really liked a lot of stuff I've read from Al Ewing and this series is really starting off to not be any exception to that rule. Fresh off the heels of an amazing run on the Avengers, Marvel broke up the team of writers and spread them around a little bit. However you look at it, Al Ewing drew the lucky Hulk straw, and he's determined to make the very best of it.

   Obviously we know the story of the tortured Bruce Banner... Forever scared of his neverending Mr. Hyde turn. This time Ewing employs lots of artists using all kinds of different styles... There's classic pop style that throws back to the Silver Age, as well as a tight minimalist style as well. To tell the truth, it was actually kind of refreshing seeing the book bounce around although as #3 ended, I was more than happy to see #4 get back to a steady artist.

   Journalist Jackie Magee still seeks info on the resurrected Hulk. Amidst drifting references between Hotshot in flashbacks, she finally receives a callback from a subject who just might know a thing or two about the Hulk - Alpha Flight's Sasquatch. 

Gross!

   Ewing pushes and pulls between Banner and Walter Langowski's history together, when the reporter and part-time jock turned superhero are forced to deal with an unexpected murder attempt. At the end, Bruce decides to contact Jackie himself, with the warning that Sasquatch's gamma radiation problem might be ready to cause quite the commotion. What happens next is left for the always inevitable continuation.

   Something intesrting about both of these books though was the way he began and ended them. Both begin with an ominous historical quote, with the issue's title and credits being on the very last page. It's kind of trippy but a neat way to wrap things up. Like #1 and 2 before it, I did where this series is going. I give these two an 8/10.

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Old Man Logan #43-44

BULLSEYE RETURNS pts I-II

Written by Ed Brisson
Penciled by Juan Ferreyra
Covers by Mike Deodato, Jr
Published July 11 and July 25, 2018

   In New York's upper east side, journalist Sarah Dewey is assassinated with a playing card inside her apartment. Days later, Old Man Logan investigates the crime scene, finding evidence of the card and knowing exactly who it was - Bullseye. He's then surprised by a fellow vigilante - a woman who is equally seeking revenge from him killing her FBI agent husband. Logan nicknames her Vendetta.

I HAVE JUST THE NAME FOR YOU!

   Together the duo storm an office of someone who might know his location. As they threaten the mobster, he tells them he doesn't know where Bullseye is, but before he can explain, another playing card pierces the mans skull. Suddenly the dead man's phone rings. Bullseye taunts them from a nearby building. As they run towards the office across the street, they encounter scores of other dead people as it's clear Bullseye plans to leave quite the trail of dead in his wake.

...and you will know him by his trail of dead.

   Next, the assassin interrogates fellow gun for hire, Bullet. He seeks info on Vendetta and after threatening Bullet's kids, the merc gives it up. Back at Joy's apartment, she and Logan realize who it is they can reference, while across town Bullet's partner Shotgun prepares to take part in a robbery.

I'm Shotgun. This hear is Pistol, Uzi, Bullet, and Slingshot.

   As the Logan and Vendetta make it to Bullet's apartment, he explains that his kid is in danger now. Logan calls Glob and asks him to protect the kid. Meanwhile, the robbery immediately goes awry and the thieves find Blindspot lying in wait. He pummels them with weapons as Logan and Vendetta show up and ambush the assassin.

Heeeeeeeeeeeere's Logan!

   With the cops fresh on the scene outside, the battle rages indoors. Armed with an infinite amount of change, Bullseye makes a run for it and kills several cops making his escape. In pursuit are the police, soon joined by Logan, Shotgun, and Vendetta. The issue ends with Logan getting a call from Glob. Unfortunately Bullseye was able to kidnap his young victim already. What happens next? We’re left to find out as this issue is left to be continued.

Glob has gotten more pub these last few months than his character's entire history.

   So with every issue getting this series a little closer to it’s end, it’s pretty clear Ed Brisson plans to write his main character out blazing. Only fitting for the old man, who has made such an impact in his limited run that a reintroduction somewhere down the line is a near certainty. Hopefully when it happens, the person assigned to it is able to push Logan with this much gusto, because it’s been quite a ride. This arc no exception, I give these two a 9/10.

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X-Men Red #5-6

THE HATE MACHINE pts V and VI

Written by Tom Taylor
Penciled by Mahmud Asrar
Covers by Travis Charest
Published June 6 and July 18, 2018

   In Poland, Cassandra Nova has the president sign a decree making mutants illegal... again. Across the world, mutant hatred is at full force, as Gambit breaks into a Louisiana hospital harboring a murderer. When he's inside, Jean reveals herself and the X-Men surrounding the mans bed. Turning off the sentinite in his brain, it's clear he wasn't in control.

It's cool - you were just really really drunk.

   Later Jean brings them all out to the others where they use Trinary's sentinel robot to head out to the Baltic. A young mutant is targeted by the polish army but the X-Men are on the scene, fighting back. Jean melds the minds of everyone involved, temporarily halting their anger. Namor then uses the distraction to force a quick truce between Atlantis and Poland.

Who knew the oldest X-Man ever could do cool stuff?!

   Meanwhile Cassandra uses a brain washed Forge and a powerful unnamed mutant to do her bidding. While in a flashback, we learn all about Gentle's Wakandan upbringing was no match for the anti-mutant sentiment even in a country reared on peace. Later they walk through Atlantis and Jean shows off the aptly named Sea-Rebro they're building. She explains to the X-Men that there was some inner conversation in the British ambassador's head before they exploded a few issues back.
   The X-Men are going to find what this mystery villain is using to amplify the mutant hatred. With a bead on the contents, they teleport into a cargo plan to search, as a now online Searebro finds out the truth. All along it was Cassandra Nova, Professor X's evil twin sister. Jean tells her the X-Men are getting closer to the truth. But she'll have to hurry...

Jean - you're so... ugly.

   In a helicopter over Poland, Cassandra stokes the rage of this mystery mutant. She drops the amphibious child into the water as he lets out a Hulk-like battle cry. He's going to smash Atlantis. But will the X-Men be able to stop him? We'll have to wait to find out as this issue is left to be continued.

Wait. Amadeus Cho?!

   I told myself I'd let this series get off the ground a little before I passed REAL judgement on it, and I'm kind of glad I did. The bi-monthly constant of Gold and Blue keep the action of those books coming so fast, it's hard to fully digest it. With X-Men Red, you get a much slower delivery rate - and it's very much good for the book's longtime readability. Tom Taylor has never been my favorite, but it's looking more and more like better subject matter is certainly only helping him. He's turning this series into a real, bonafied X-series, and at a crucial moment when a lot of these series are starting to wrap up. I give these two a solid 8/10.

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X-Men Blue #31-32

KINGS AND QUEENS pts I - II

Written by Cullen Bunn
Penciled by Jorge Molina and Andres Genolet
Covers by RB Silva
Published July 11 and July 25, 2018
   Some time ago, Magneto allowed Jean to look into his mind and she saw the damage. A little boy in a concentration camp constantly tortured by an evil Nazi guard. Meanwhile in the present, his rage is again stoked... He breaks into the Hellfire Club and murders everyone at will. It seems his anger at Emma Frost has reached it's fevered pitch, and this time, Magneto won't be denied.

Oh well now you're all in big, big trouble...

   The next morning, the X-Men are on the scene. Now that they can see with their own eyes just what Magneto can do, it's clear that they must stop him. They seek out his former disciple Briar Raleigh for advice, as he goes from Hellfire Club chapter to chapter seeking out the White Queen.

Emma? I'm coming to get you...

   Finally tracking her to Paris, the X-Men arrive to warn her. But it's clear after he arrives that that will be a monumental task. They all fight back en masse, including Emma but during one of his many monologues, this is not going to be the pacified version of their former mentor. He doses with the mutant steroid mothervine, becoming superpowered and peppering the young heroes with destructive force.

"Oh that's Mag - NEATO!"

   Jean finds a weakness and Cyclops blasts him, taking him down momentarily but he's able to break the hold within minutes. Suddenly Pickles bamfs in, teleporting Emma from the fray but leaving the X-Men to deal with his rage. Magneto threateningly lifts the surrounding humans, later leveling the Beast with a near lethal shot to the face. Sensing the battle at a stalemate, Jean tries to reach the villain one more time with a plea to his decency but what he's seen from Emma's visions cannot be denied.

Gotta go.

   The issue ends with the X-Men and Emma Frost in a cabin as they attempt to regroup. She tells the teenagers she can handle him herself but as Jean reminds her, the X-Men are going to need both a unified Magneto and White Queen once they return to their original timeline. What does this mean? We'll have to wait as this issue is left to be continued.
   So a little while back, I thought about launching IsMagnetoGoodOrEvilRightNow.com, just to keep up with the status of the X-Men's oldest foe. But similar to IsWolverineStillDead.com or HasDC DoneAnythingStupidToday.com, it would likely have to be updated so much there'd be no point. Still, it's clear that as long as Cullen Bunn is at the helm of this series, it's going to remain readable and should be considered "Can't Miss" in the world of X-books. I'm sad that it's wrapping up, but I look forward to watching them go out with a band. I give these two books a 10/10.

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