Infamous Iron Man #7

Written by Brian Michael Bendis

Penciled by Alex Maleev
Cover by Alex Maleev
Published April 26, 2017

   The Wizard gathers hordes of C-level villains at a pub called Herbie's to break the news... That Dr. Doom has gone straight. Idea after idea is floated to start a new super villain alliance but as they debate, they hear a loud crash. The new Infamous Iron-Man himself bursts in and starts blasting baddie after baddie. Meanwhile aboard the SHIELD Helicarrier, the Wrecker has arrived seeking asylum. Commander Carter grants him permission (only on the grounds of no fighting) and so,  stepping up to the plate to interrogate him is Benjamin Grimm.
   The Thing grabs him and immediately, the Wrecker confesses he's running from Doom. One by one he killed them. Criminal after criminal and no small potatoes. The Wrecker makes a run for it, and as he trucks through the parking lot, Doom tells him whomever was smart enough to flee would escape his hand, but issues a warning to change his ways. Grimm breaks it to him that all of the villains actually survived, coercing his confession. He rises to attack but is shocked, with Grimm finally congratulating him on being part of the biggest costumed villain takedown in history - care of Doctor Victor Von Doom. Commander Carter asks The Thing if Doom has gone straight and he tells him no. 
   Leaving for the day, Grimm opens his hotel door and sees Doctor Doom's armor standing in the doorway. Victor sits at a table eating and convinces Grimm not to fight him out of the safety of those in the building. He apologizes to him. For everything. For things he said to Benjamin and to the things he said and did to Reed and Sue Richards. Ben offers no forgiveness, asking instead what's happened to Doom. He tells him he had an epiphany and the only way to right all of his wrongs isn't from inside a jail cell. The goal is to get to a place where Ben and SHIELD and any other world organization can call upon him - but he knows it will take time. Ben asks him about what was up with his mother and Doom tells him he honestly doesn't know. He takes his leave before taking a dig at Peter Parker for what he did to the old Baxter Building. Completely baffled, Ben turns around and there sitting at the table now is Reed Richards - and with that, we're left to be continued.
   As I've mentioned for nearly this entire series, it appears this book is solely looking to relaunch the Fantastic Four while somehow keeping the words "Iron Man" in the title. It doesn't make a lot of sense but I don't care. I like it. I like this new Doctor Doom. I like this evil version of Reed Richards from Secret Wars.. I like Ben Grimm working for SHIELD and I like that Johnny Storm is nowhere to be found. Whatever Bendis is doing with this title is working and I don't want him to stop. I don't know if Doom is gonna be a good guy forever, but for now, I give this book a 9/10.

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Mad Magazine #545

Mad Magazine #545
June 2017

   The issue starts off with Alfred E Newman shoving a microphone in Trump's face... spit flying out. Next up, an ad for Goodnight Batcave. Followed with the table of contents before the Letters and Tomatoes featuring letters praising the magazine, a photo of a restrom in Brazil with Mad papering the walls, Donnie Wahlberg with a TBT on the New Kids On The Block cover from 1991, and a reader testing to see if the letters dept actually publishes real reader letters by sending in his own. Plus pictures of a reader's baby not being a fan, Ed Asner posing with some Mary Tyler Moore mockups, as well as editor John Ficarra's tribute to Mad illustrator Gerry Gersten. Interestingly the section goes on to say that this is the last issue that will award giveaways to readers who's letters are published before publishing the credits.
   The Fundalini Pages feature lampoons of Press Secretary Sean Spicer, things El Chapo learned while in New York and a Big Mac ad, new ways to die: 2017 edition, Rhonda Rousey's 30th birthday, Hanky Pankery, the Trumpalini Pages mocking La La Land, Trump candy hearts, a Trump travel ban at the White House gates, Mad redesigns of the Nordstrom logo, Beauty and the Beast, Melania's plans to fight online bullying, Kellyanne Conway's new fragrance Alternative Facts, a fight poster betweent he president and Meryl Streep, and fun facts about the Mexico US Border wall.
   The "Symbol Pleasures Department" mocks hidden messages in world flags, before a 7 page parody of of Rogue One - cleaverly mocked up as "Rough One, a Star Bores Snorer" by David Richards and Tom Richmond. We're then treated to 4 pages of Sergio Aragones' Youtube jokes. Next up, Kenney Keil, Sam Vivano, and Jim Campbell mock the Donald with a take on David Shannon's classic "No, David" children's book. Jokes about his tweeting, harassment claims, cabinet picks, and travel ban before he's served impeachment papers. Next up is a "Trums" ad before a 3 page Duck Ewing DOA throwback followed by Peter Kuper's classic Spy vs Spy. There's some brief single page sendups on office exercises, Dewey Derwin Destroy's The World by Kenny Kiel. This is followed by an all-star strip collection from several illustrators.
   The issue wraps with a 5 page mockup of ABC's Designated Survivor by Arnie Kogen and Tom Bunk. There's some subscription offers to coincide with graduations, a 2 page write up on Supreme Court cases waiting to be heard by Jeff Cruse. The Gap Toothed Gallery featuring Alfred E Newman as the meteor headed towards some hapless dinosaurs, and finally the Mad Fold-in by the ever beloved Al Jaffee.
   Overall it was a pretty good one. Mad Magazine still knows how to roast those in power just like always, and the issue is packed to the gills with digs at Trump. The juvenile jokes and laughs are about as rudimentary as ever. I didn't laugh out loud very often, but holding the book in print after so many years felt like not a day had passed. I give it a 9/10.

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Deadpool #29

Written by Gerry Duggan

Penciled by Salva Espin
Cover by Reilly Brown
Published Apr 19, 2017

   Dracula and Shiklah are married by a super cool looking Mephisto when he asks if anyone objects. A bound and gagged Deadpool tries to speak but cannot, as he and Spider-Man watch from afar. Mephisto teleports away and the newlyweds kiss as they discuss their plans. They leave to restore order between warring factions as they leave the giant spider to deal with Deadpool and Spider-Man. Meanwhile Underground, the war still wages as the monsters debate whether Dracula's return means Shiklah is dead. They fight both factions, considering that regardless which side wins, they still lose when they hear a disembodied voice. The ghost of Benjamin Franklin talks the two sides into uniting against both Dracula and Shiklah, as they confuse him for, and later wrongly applaud George Washington.
   Above ground, Spider-Man escapes his ties, grabs Deadpool's swords and slices the spider. Later he pulls Deadpool off the wall, rather painfully. Spider-Man suggest getting Dazzler to help while Deadpool tells him to stop embarrassing him in front of the monsters. His plan calls for Spidey to distract Dracula while he deals with Shiklah. As they make their way to them, Shiklah and Dracula address their minions while the independent monster's reject his order to bow. He's interrupted by a Spidey kick to the back. Deadpool talks with Shiklah who quickly decide to rendezvous for some alone time. Spider-man happens upon them and is subsequently grossed out, leaving immediately. Shiklah asks Wade why he lives with the humans, knowing he'll outlive them all. He tells her that's while killing them is easier than living with them, one day you wake up without a good enough reason to kill them. She kissed him deeply, passing some kind of freaky green smoke demon in him and leaving him on the ground.
   She rejoins her new husband who's still fighting the monsters when she calls for a truce. If the undead don't want to be ruled by Shiklah, perhaps she and Dracula should leave them alone to rule themselves. They disappear and the undead erupt in victory. Bat Boy tells them all they need a leader and they nominate the Invisible Man since nobody would notice him being there. Ben Franklin offers his advice and then tries to hookup with Domino who soundly rejects him. Meanwhile lawyers show up serving Deadpool with lawsuit notices from both PArker Industries and the City of New York to account for the damage he caused.
   The issue ends with Deadpool reading a letter from his ex-wife. She tells him that she spent the 19th and 20th centuries resting, but that she's off to see the world with Dracula. They board a cruise ship and set sail. Deadpool punches out one more lawyer who's trying to serve him and with that, this crossover is finally concluded.
   I swear, if Gerry Duggan gets paid for how many words he writes, he's got to be a bajillionaire. I know that this book is supposed to be campy but sometimes he overdoes it. Still it's not like you don't know what to expect here. Maybe I just hope and pray for a Rob Liefield type return to the character, which clearly the big screen took advantage of. Maybe we could just get Ryan Reynolds to write it. As far as this one goes, I give it a 7/10.

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Daredevil #19

Written by Charles Soule

Penciled by Marc Laming
Cover by Dan Panosian
Published April 19, 2017

   Matt Murdock finds himself in a strange bar, only now he can see. He talks with the purple bartender who tells him that at Zeb's, anything can happen. He asks him to play a game called "Worst Thing That Can Happen..". In it, he asks his subjects to just quickly describe the worst possible thing they could imagine. As the reader pans the room, we see almost every manifestation of Daredevil ever. He looks up at the TV with screens trying to get his attention but the following page reveals Daredevil in the Purple Man's layer. He tells him he no longer makes it about what HE wants his victims to do, but more about what they would never want to do. He explains to his hypnotized victim how his machine works - using his children's powers to amplify his own while he keeps prying.
   The earliest incarnation of Daredevil speaks up. The worst thing is about failing the ones you love and experiencing their deaths because of that failure. He begins to get into it with a flashier version of the man without fear as the real Murdock watches the television.. a dark program where Kirsten asks Matt what he's doing. Killgrave asks her not to ruin the surprise while Daredevil tells him that he could do better. Back at the bar, the bartender tells him he believes him while the fights around him continue. Another of Daredevil's past selves points at the TV, telling him he's making it too complicated. A news program plays with the crawl reading "This Isn't Real, Matt..". Back in real life, Zeb asks Matt what he's waiting for and he tells him he's listening to various crimes occurring in the city: A mugging, criminal mischief, a potential suicidal person thinking of jumping. Back at the bar, the incarnations of his mind fight each other - one telling him that the worst thing has to be extreme and Matt agrees. Zeb likes the sound of it.
   Daredevil asks Killgrave at the machine about how it can control everyone - issuing chaos everywhere and the Purple Man agrees it can. He dials up mass destruction all across the world. The reader sees the Avengers fighting a battle the whole world over. Satisfied, Killgrave asks him now what and Murdock tells him that's it. He knows everything is falling apart and he does nothing. Enraged, the Purple Man threatens him while all the Daredevil incarnations evolve into his true self. Back in control, he attacks Killgrave - possibly taking it too far.
   At the confessional, Father Jordan asks Matt if he killed him and Matt tells him no. He frees the purple children and tells them he must go and protect his fiancé amongst what he thinks is a world gone mad. The children discuss a plan to do something for him in return for helping them - and with that, we're left to be concluded.
   When you read a ton of comics, it's hard to stay on top of which ones you really like and which ones you don't. Scanning Comichron to see if your favorites are best sellers, I usually find my perferred titles lower on the list. This is an example of a book that doesn't get it's due. Charles Soule is a fantastic writer. And while I've criticized basic artwork before, this is one where using so much black and dark colors, the hues and contrast really do set the mood. Compared to the current Punisher, X-Men Blue, and Deadpool - this title should be smoking them. This current story arc turned out to be awesome and while being somewhat unnoticed, continues to be among Marvel's best. I give this one a 9/10.

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All New All Different Avengers #13

Written by Mark Waid
Penciled by Adam Kubert
Cover by Alex Ross
Published Aug 10, 2016

   The Vision has a decision to make. Activating the human emotions he's accumulated and exported, he has to decide what to do when an infant human life hangs in the balance. It wasn't long ago he battled his teammates nearly to a standstill. Now, just days after, he consults the Inhuman who's at the heart of the most critical battle between superheroes yet, Ulysses. What if he had a chance to kill baby Hitler? What would he do? Before he can answer, Ulysses is taken back to the experimental womb Captain Marvel pumps emotions into him in hopes of sparking one of his premonitions.
  At the center of the debate is Kang - the tireless time traveler who is constantly a pain in the Avengers' side. Guilty of corrupting Vision's mind, he's ready to put an end to the villain but at what moral cost? He stores a dangerous amount of solar energy and uses a hidden time machine located in the basement of the Baxter Building. There he reaches the first known point of Kang's recorded rule - Ancient Egypt, before being confronted by a freaky black phantasm. Necessary to maintain as much energy as possible, Vision holds back. As their battle grows more fierce, he's crushed through the wall of a pyramid and discovers Kang's time machine. He records the date of the machine's origin - Oct 22, 3022, and arrives a week earlier to attempt to foil Kang's discovery. Once there, again the wraith confronts him. They battle as silently as possible, trying to keep Kang from noticing them. Not being to hide any longer, Kang makes a break for his helmet and the final clue dawns on Vision. He reaches the helmet first, puts it on and is erased from existence.
   22 years prior to their encounter, Vision stands before the crib of the infant who will one day turn into one of the biggest time traveling terrorists the universe will no. Again, the shadow materializes and only now does Vision address it. He asks if it's there to protect Kang and it tells him it's actually there to protect him - Vision. It whispers an unknown fact into Vision's ear - one that will haunt the Avengers for generation to come.
   The issue wraps with a young couple walking into the baby's room, singing nursery rhymes. There they discover one of the biggest nightmares a parent could find. Their baby is missing. They were never to find out who took their child, or with him he was left to be raised by, but somewhere in the timestream storms began to brew. And with that, we're left to be continued.
   This story arc is what will take this title into it's completion, and into it's successor title as well. And honestly, it's an honorable one to go out on. Kang. Who'd have thought they'd be able to take such a classic character and send what's turned out to be a really great title off with him. At least it's not Ultron again, right? I give this one a 9/10...

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The Punisher #11

Written by Becky Cloonan

Penciled by Matt Horak
Cover by Declan Shalvey
Published April 19, 2017

   Olaf finally has the Punisher where he wants him. As his terribly disfigured assistant videotapes, he rants about the future of Condor. Telling his minions the first person to kill the Punisher becomes his second in command. He stabs Frank in the back ala Gladiator and cuts the rope. Frank handles his own, defeating them one by one. Breaking noses and strangling them in gratuitous panel after panel, Frank is easily killing them all. Smacking one in the face with a brick of EMC, Olaf orders his assistant to turn off the camera. Frank gets the upperhand and is able to sneak off in a huge EMC overdose cloud melee. Two of the goons pursue him and fall for his trap. He slams one inside of the armory and locks the door, the room completely wired with time bombs. 
   Back at the dock, Ortiz arrives with Face and realizes the ship Frank is on has departed. Face demands that she kill him, which was part of their deal but she leaves him chained to a forklift to die instead. She jumps in a little side boat and heads for the exploding ship, of which has devolved into total chaos. Condor's soldiers are steadily killing each other when Olaf orders one of them to kill Frank as he approaches. Gut shot but still wired, he grabs a corrosive tank and walks towards Frank, asking if he wants to play catch. He shoots the tank and the man explodes. Finally it's just him and Olaf. Frank shoots the disfigured protege and Olaf jumps overboard. Sinking in the waves, he injects EMC into his neck and prepares to fight. Tweeked out and standing on an iceberg he calls Frank out, who jumps overboard and climbs atop the glacier.. and with that, we're left to be concluded.
   I used to read Punisher a long time ago. Not that it wasn't really chocked full of cool dialogue or plot twists then, this new one is a pretty weak substitute. I don't know why it's so concrete. The lines are solid and thick and it isn't very cohesive like an old school comic used to be. Art wise, it's weak. As for the story, it's not any better. This book is R-rated, so obviously your audience is old enough to handle it. Give us some more story and it could really take the next step. As far as this issue goes, I give it a 5/10.

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Justice League #19

Written by Bryan Hitch
Penciled by Fernando Pasarin
Cover by Fernando Pasarin
Published April 19, 2017

   Alexis and Vincent at the Infinity Building get a reading of a new energy source. They send Batman, Superman, and Jane out to investigate. When they arrive, they find Molly, who's now a super badass, levitating and screaming that she's now in control of the timeless machines. Explaining to Superman that superheroes are a plague, she intends to wipe them all out. She blasts them with magical energy and Superman buckles. He asks Batman to save Lois and Jon, who gives him his word that he will. Jane and Supes blast Molly with all their might.
   Vincent leaves the building after picking up readings that the Timeless Mind is connected through time but it's army is all holograms. He cuts his wrist and bleeds into it. Suddenly, Cyborg, the Green Lanterns, Flash, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman are all able to communicate, wondering why the machines didn't explode. Tempus broadcasts to them all saying Molly lied to them. Her goal was to destroy them all, his plan was just to send them to the end of time. Suddenly Vincent is able to communicate over him. He tells them he doesn't have long but they must all destroy the machines at all of their displaced time periods. Tempus pushes him out saying they can't stop it, and they all hurriedly get to work. Back at Infinity, Alexis radios Vincent and he tells her to get the stones ready.
   At the Timeless Machine, Superman checks on a now unconscious Jane while Molly prepares to destroy him. Meanwhile, Cyborg opens a Boom Tube at his machine. Flash packs his with temporal grenades, Aquaman packs in the Zodiac crystals, the Lanterns fire green energy and Wonder Woman crawls inside here, clasping her bracelets together. Molly finds her connections lost. Superman tells her his friends stopped her and she readies the last of her power to at least finish him off. She hits him with a weaker blast than before. Superman calls her bluff and fires back at her, before she threatens to start the superhero cull with Jon.
   Outside the Infinity Building, Tempus threatens Vincent, saying that if he keeps it up, IT will come and destroy the universe. Vincent tells him he's counting on it. Outside Metropolis, Jon prepares to fly he and Lois away from the danger when Molly lands at the gas station, killing everyone. She prepares a knock out punch when Batman, still wearing the Super-Lex suit flies in front of it. Soon the rest of the Justice League join them and place Molly under arrest.
   Everyone returns to their natural times except Alexis, Vincent, and Jane. They are left to prepare for what's coming as the stones begin to sing.. again.. for some reason. Superman hugs Lois and Jon, because you know, they're somehow threatened every single issue either of them are in, and Molly tells them all they'll rue the day. It's coming and it's all because of the Justice League... but with that, this story arc is concluded.
   The reviews are pretty generally negative for the DC flagship Justice League book. The only pet peeve I have with it is that there's WAY too much that happens in the course of an issue and Fernando Pasarin's art looks weird. Really just the faces. They're all big and goobery. This story is pretty much turning out exactly like the "Timeless" series which literally happened right before this one, so to say it's a little tired is an understatement. Overall I give it a 7/10 and hope it steps up a little more in the future...

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