Phoenix Resurrection #3

CHAPTER III: A CONSTELLATION OF THEM ALL

Written by Matthew Rosenberg
Penciled by Joe Bennett
Cover by Leinil Frances Yu
Published Jan 10, 2018

   Jean Gray is having a nightmare. Still wearing her waitress uniform, she’s piloting a space shuttle over the water when it crashes. When she comes to, she’s on the floor of a supermarket. Ignoring their pleas to wait for a doctor, she takes off but outside, has a tough time getting her car to start.

"Are you sure those are even your keys?!"

   Not too far away, a son and father go fishing when the massive, flaming Phoenix rises from the water as they swim to safety. Meanwhile the X-Men ask questions and look for answers, finding yet another one when they discover Jean Gray’s grave empty. At the same time, she meets with Mr. Patch the mechanic, eventually losing control of a telekinetic event. He blames it on an earthquake while the wounds he just suffered mysteriously heal.

Do I know you?

   In London, the X-Men track down one of the last psychics they can think of, Emma Frost. She tells them during some of Scott’s lax moments, he’d think of Jean in New Mexico. Meanwhile the Jeanie from the diner runs from a ghostly version of her future self. She gets him and locks the door behind her. She erupts, and with the house in flames all around her, the Dark Phoenix floats down for a chat.

Hello.

   The issue wraps in New Mexico, where the X-Men gather to search. Finally Magik gets a hunch, and using her soulsword she cuts into the landscape and lighted dome appears. As a door in it opens, they debate their next move. What that is though is something we’ll have to wait for as this issue is left to be continued.

I don't really understand what's going on.

   One of the few things I find irritating with this series is the revolving door of artists. I think Marvel thinks that’s just the coolest thing since sliced bread, but it’s happening at such a rate these days that it makes me think there’s something wrong. What’s the problem with letting a creative team gel? What’s the problem with allowing one person man the pencils if they obviously have so many at their disposal? Like Astonishing X-Men as well, this miniseries has been plagued with a new artist every issue. Seems to hurt more than it could help. I give this one an 8/10.

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The Punisher #220

WAR MACHINE pt III

Written by Matthew Rosenberg

Penciled by Guiu Villanova
Cover by Clayton Crain
Published Jan 10, 2018

   In Chernaya, some soldiers round up a dissident student when the Punisher arrives. He asks where Petrov is and they give him the wrong answer. When he gets back to the ground, the student describes it part of Petrov’s morality laws when his mother come out to feed Frank. Later the Punisher is informed of the other labor camps in the area, and he takes action.

Sounds like somebody has some killing to do!

   Outside of one, he launches missiles takes out all the exterior guards. Inside they attempt to return fire but obviously give him little resistance. They decide to execute their hostages but Frank has ideas against that as well. When he finally doesn’t get the answers to Petrov’s location, he decides to draw the leader to him.

Well, it looks like that's about everybody in Chernaya, Frank.

   The Punisher summarily frees camp after camp, unti night falls and there’s but one left. Finding it abandoned, he’s blasted in the back. A SHIELD decorated soldier demands he stand down, but realizes after a few minutes on the battlefield, an older but more confident and willing opponent can eventually get the upperhand.

Or.. upper thumbs.

   With alarm’s blaring, Frank’s A.I. informs him there are imminent threats. The Punisher keeps the rogue SHIELD agents talking until his repulsers are back online. He’s able to hold his own momentarily, even impressing his adversaries until thrusters come back online. He takes off, and failing to outrun them, stops short and takes another one out. But with missiles incoming, he finally fails to evade them and is struck powerless. As he falls into the sea, the former SHIELD agents think they took out the Punisher. Only time will tell if that’s true, as we’re all left to be continued.

"Marco..."
"POLO!"

   So I think I mentioned this before, but can Frank just keep the War Machine suit forever? This is almost like a match made in comic book heaven. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason to ever give it back. The ability to make the Punisher almost infinitely more interesting far outweighs anything anybody else could do with the armor. I mean look.. SHIELD even has a few more of them left over. I give this one a 9/10.

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X-Men Blue #19

CROSS TIME CAPERS pt IV

Written by Cullen Bunn
Penciled by RB Silva
Cover by Arthur Adams
Published Jan 10, 2018

   The X-Men Blue team find themselves in the past, looking at a dead Brotherhood and what appears to be themselves fighting Magneto. Finally Xavier walks up and working to keep him occupied, explains to him that death is imminent. The professor and his students bodyslide before the impact.

I thought only Cable could do that...

   Later they watch footage and Xavier reveals he sensed that they might have company. He and Angel walk to Cerebro and behind the locked door sits the very much incapacitated but real Professor X. Although he's out of it, he still managed to call his original X-Men home.

Professor X is hammered.

   Those five, plus Jimmy and Bloodstorm now float between realms with the original, evil Magneto. He sees multiple time streams - the totality of time, and though the other X-Men fear Jean’s mouth will get them into a fight, he stands down. They explain to him that they were sent back in time by he himself and Xavier. Slowly it begins to set in that those other X-Men were the ones they saw previously. But how did they change so much? The best bet they can think of is take these alternate X-Men down.

"I thought you'd never ask..."

   When they arrive back in the timeline, they’re in the mansion but there’s some others waiting for them. They ask why this timeline’s Xavier called them back when a battle erupts. But as Magneto begins to strike, the facade fades and Xorn’s glowing eyes shine through. There standing before them is a new Brotherhood, lead by Charles Xavier the III. What will happen next should be totally and completely awesome but unfortunately we’ll have to wait as this issue is left to be continued.

Old Man Deadpool? If he puts his mask on, nobody would know the difference.

   My buddy Sean floated this out to me that Xorn would be part of a new temporary X-Men team, among others. So I wasn’t completely surprised to see the old favorite. But as far as him coupled with these other sometimes villains, I think we might really have something here. This series has absolutely hit it’s stride and Cullen Bunn is taking it to the next level. Not to mention that RB Silva is an amazing artist, that honestly be on this book full time. I really like what they have cooking up here. I give this one a 10/10.

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Action Comics #995

BOOSTER SHOT pt III

Written by Dan Jurgens
Penciled by Brett Booth
Cover by Trevor Scott
Published Jan 19, 2018

   Booster and Superman find themselves in Gotham City of the future along with one of the Eradicators. As the robot carries him, Supes feigns an injury while Booster clocks him. While they battle, Skeets informs them that Booster is a public disgrace in this timeline and the city's command picks up the evidence that he's back.

Guess who's back...

   Superman is angry he didn't get the answers he wanted on Krypton. He's able to eventually overpower the Eradicator as the police get closer and fire at them. Skeets tells them they need to leave, and Superman, the robot and the time sphere leave Booster to be rescued at some other time.

"Ok Skeets, let's go. I'm mad at Booster anyways..."

   Meanwhile Lois works to break into an air force base to find her father. What she isn't aware of is that Jon stowed away and is right behind her on her mission. At the same time, Booster awakens in a cell next to his abusive father as the federal agent that captured them smiles.

"Oh, hey asshole..."

   While Skeets and Superman ponder their next move, the AI tells him about Booster's abusive past. While the father and son fight in jail, Superman watches with his X-Ray vision. He needs to free the younger of the two without making his presence too known. He does so, and flicks the elder Carter into a cell wall. The two of them take to the sky and Skeets talks the Man of Steel into breaking into a science lab to get the necessary components to time jump again, while Booster makes somebody’s day.

"So Booster's a superhero, mom. Anyways, we need to go."

   With the computer’s permission, Superman fills Booster’s mother in on everything and she’s proud of her boy. Later they prepare to fly again, but the Eradicator wakes up unexpectedly and fries the controls. They crash... but wherever they are, they're in trouble as a massive Zod statue towers above them. With that, this issue is left to be continued.

KNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL BEFORE ZOD!

   One of the interesting things about Booster Gold is how so many people in the DC universe point to his hidden, greater purpose. It's easy to pop him in and out of a series here and there, and interesting more that his creator, Dan Jurgens is currently penning this arc of Action. Still, I have to be honest - I'm looking forward to the Bendis advent, as... well.. just look at this synopsis. This is probably one of the longest reviews for just a single, non-extended issue I've ever written. (ETA - Upon review, this is completely untrue... sorry...)

I give this one an 8/10.

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Daredevil #597

MAYOR FISK pt III

Written by Charles Soule
Penciled by Stefano Landini
Cover by Dan Mora
Published Jan 10, 2018

   At City Hall, Matt is introduced to the press by Kingpin as his new deputy mayor, shocking his hero friends citywide. Later he's introduced to his assistant Steve, who shows him around and agrees to help with Matt's reading duties as none of the documents are in braille. Matt figures out Wilson's plan is to keep the young DA menially occupied when Foggy walks in.

What are you doing here, Matt? You know you can't read.

   Once assured of privacy, Foggy asks what Matt's trying to do. The position is nearly all for show anyway. Matt assures him that his goal is to be aware of the Mayor's every move. As Foggy leaves, he does just that, eavesdropping on the Kingpin's conversations before Steve walks back in, ready to read.

Steve, you ass.

   That night, the devil of Hell's Kitchen goes out to fight some crime and as luck would have it, there's a robbery going on in a convenience store. He takes out the criminals but is later held up by the clerk trying to collect the reward. Suddenly there's a big flash. Inhuman detective Frank McGee shuts down the cops and gives Daredevil some bad news.

Ugh, Inhumans. Well at least it isn't Lockjaw.

   They take to the air and Frank tells him that Muse, the serial killer who took Blindspot's eyes, has escaped from the Inhuman prison, taking 12 men out on the way. Daredevil immediately calls Sam to give him the heads up. Blindspot informs that although he might not know where he is now - he knows where's he's been. With that, a large mural painted in blood depicting Daredevil is splattered on the side of City Hall. But we'll have to wait to see what happens next as this issue is left to be continued.

"Yeah, I know it's gross. But at least this guy is a better artist than Mike Del Mundo."

   I'd mentioned a few days ago that the newest issue of Justice League equally walks the heroes through the justice system, kind of in a way Charles Soule has been doing it here for what seems like forever. In a scary world where the Kingpin is now the mayor, the Marvel universe wades in the political waters. Still, it's old hat for the house of ideas, and this title is still crushing it at the top of the quality list. I give this one a 9/10.

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Venom #160

VENOM INC pt. V

Written by Mike Costa
Penciled by Gerardo Sandoval
Cover by Gerardo Sandoval
Published Jan 10, 2018

   Venom, Flash Thompson, Mania, and Black Cat move in on Lee Price's gangster summit armed with rounds of anti-venom. Meanwhile inside, Spider-Man is one of them. They prepare for the attack when he makes a joke - a noticeable mistake. When they turn on him, he shoots his anti-venom coated webs and the calvary bursts in. They all fire at the inklings mercilessly while Spidey appeals to the newly freed Hammerhead for help.

Ready for action!

   As they fight, each supervillain is slowly brought back to reality. Mania throws the antivenom but is concerned her symbiote may be hurt in the process. Finally Price mobilizes his armory and once they're able to shoot back, Spidey and company make their move.

You sure this stuff is safe?

   Eddie explains to Flash that they need to stop thinking like soldiers and more like suicidal maniacs. He drops to the floor and tells Andi to hit the bullets he’s wearing around his midsection. She does so and the explosion takes out all the remaining Venom slaves. But when Eddie expects to be separated from his symbiote as well, he sees Spider-Man above him, shielding him from the blast.

Mum's the word, Edward.

   They collect themselves and realize the tiny alien shards seem to all be heading in one direction. Andi hesitates, afraid that harming the symbiote would harm her own. But either way, it’s a moot point. The shards slowly begin to merge all around Lee Price. With that, these heroes are about to have their hands full, but unfortunately for us, we’re left to be continued.

Venom + Guns = SUPER SCARY VENOM!

   You know, it’s pretty cool that the Dan Slott era of Amazing Spider-Man begins to wrap with such an awesome crossover. Another interesting part of this all is that you get multiple sides of Venom - the good from Flash Thompson, the evil of Lee Price and the plain confused middle ground of Eddie Brock. Not to mention Black Cat, I’d be scant to find something to criticize about this arc. I give this one a 9/10.

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Cable #153

THE NEWER MUTANTS pt IV

Written by Ed Brisson
Penciled by Jon Malin
Cover by Jon Malin
Published Jan 10, 2018

   In the far off future, Gideon awakens and is welcomed by Eve, his robotic guardian. They further encounter monstrous humanoids, eventually enslave them and later find Cable’s robo-arm in the X-Mansion. He announces they’re leaving and eventually returns to the past to kill fellow External Candra.

What you gonna do with that arm, baw?

   Two days later, Cable and his band of mutants fight off hordes of brainwashed psychics. Doop wakes up in time to encase them in a shield but escaping before Gideon can get farther is paramount. Finally a self destruct countdown initiates, and Cable calls Armor and all the rest of his team in close and eventually they completely explode.

Quick! Everybody come over here so we can die!

   The rest of the Externals blink to Washington where they stand before Gideon. Selene orders them to attack when Absolom stabs Crule in the back. Obviously the only way to die is suicide by other Externals and he obviously had a deal with Gideon. He later takes out Nicodemus while Gideon works on Selene. He’s just about to pounce when Blink pops the two out of there. Absolom asks for death but Gideon refuses... for now anyway, as he’s still of use in the fight vs Selene.

Ummmmm... Embarassing...

   Back at Gideon’s fortress, a massive arm smashes through the debris. Thanks to Cable’s coaching, Armor was able to stretch her forcefield to protect the entire team. Unfortunately though Gideon took the Blackbird, leaving them stranded. they start walking when they ask about Cable’s former bodysliding abilities. But as luck would have it, 2 people suddenly show up that can make it all a little bit easier. Blink and a bloodied Selene will help them find Gideon as long as they’ll kill him. With that, this issue is left to be continued.

You help me, I help you...

   Yet another excellent chapter from Ed Brisson with stunning art from Jon Malin. This series almost feels like it’s cut from the same cloth of those final Liefield New Mutants and first couple X-Force books from the 90’s. It reads quickly, as he seems unwilling to develop these characters at the moment - though likely on the horizon. Armor and Wolverine are definitely reserve X-Men but he gives them potential. And I enjoy seeing where he plans to take them. I give this one an 8/10.

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