Fantastic Four 542
Some nice dialogue between Reed and Johnny is the highlight of this issue as The Human Torch tries to reconcile Reed and Sue’s marriage. I could have done without Johnny and Ben’s reunion in France though. Dwayne McDuffie is a good writer and Mike McKone is really making the title his own but I’m not sure the current direction will be good for the title. Grade: B-
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man 16 & 17
In 16 the Vulture storyline comes to a close with an unexpected climax. It seems that Peter David has at last hit his stride with this title and he deserves a pat on the back for the return of Betty Brant. It’s also welcome that we have a good artist on the title (for this story at least) and Scot Eaton does a terrific job, I just wish he’d stayed.
With 17 the "Back in Black" storyline begins as Peter Parker gets asked for help from Sandman. Call me cynical but the black costume is in the new Spidey film as is Sandman and I don’t believe in coincidences. David does his best, creating what promises to be an engaging murder mystery but all his effort is scuppered by some frankly awful art by Todd Nauk, imagine a bad Eric Larsen imitator and you’ll get the idea. So no this isn’t the comic that’s taken the crown of best Spider-Man title. Grade: C+
Frontline 9 & 10
Paul Jenkins neatly ties up the plot threads as the title nears its end. Two of the stories lead into Thunderbolts with one introducing Penance who is a major player in that title. While it’s definitely come second to the main Civil War book this has been a fun ride and I’m looking forward to the final issue which promises some startling revelations. Grade: B
Ghost Rider 8
The first part of a Civil War tie-in that pits flaming skull against flaming pumpkin as Ghost Rider goes up against Jack O'Lantern. The link to Civil War is slim and the tale could easily have been told without reference to that series. The team of Javier Saltares and Mark Texeira do a nice enough job on the art but this feels inconsequential and it's hard to imagine any lasting repercussions from the story.
The Incredible Hulk 99 -103
"Planet Hulk" reaches its conclusion with these issues and much as I’ve enjoyed it I think it’s gone on for a little too long. Issue 100 gives us a glimpse of what’s been happening on Earth and events that will lead to his return, in a bonus story written by regular scripter Greg Pak with art from the amazing Gary Frank. With Frank taking on art duties with issue 104 the best may still be to come from Pak’s stint on the book. Grade: B-
Article comments
1 - Q
Dude, invest in a spellchecker.
2 - Ian Woolstencroft
Thanks for the insightful comment.
3 - manfred
The Spiderman series are great and JMS is really leaving the title. The rumours are confirmed. The Spiderman teams are losing their top artists / writers with Mark Bagley and JMS leaving. Hopefully the next team will do grand as well but it's going to be tough to live up to the legacy left behind.