A Month In Comics: A Couple of Major Characters Bite the Big One - Page 5

Within these pages we see a side of both Mary Jane and Aunt May that we’ve never seen before, at times unflattering yet showing there failings just makes them more human and ultimately someone we can sympathise with. On top of Aguirre-Sacasa’s deft handling of the books star and supporting cast there is some first rate art. There styles may be very different but Angel Medina, Sean Chen and Clayton Crain have all done some of there finest work here with each perfectly suited to the story they illustrated. One of Marvel’s best books and a title every Spider-Man fan should be buying. Grade: A-

She-Hulk 8, 15, 16

The first issue here is a Civil War crossover that ends with a proposal as John Jameson asks She-Hulk to marry him. It's nice to see Paul Smith's art although it's far from his best work. With issues 15 and 16 the "Planet without a Hulk" arc kicks in as She-Hulk is recruited by SHIELD to deal with the short of threat the absent Hulk used to handle. Artist Rick Burchett has potential with some clean line work that's reminiscent of Paul Smith.

One word really sums this title up - fluff. Not every comic can be a dark brooding masterpiece though and this provided a pleasant change. Far from essential but definitely fun.

Thunderbolts 103 – 105, 110 & 111

The first three issues here feature the old team written by Fabian Nicieza. It’s a good Civil War crossover but ultimately nothing special. In fact the title looks and reads like a 90’s comic.

With issue 110 the new creative team of Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato Jr. arrive and the book suddenly becomes essential reading. Regular readers of this column will know I’m a big fan of Ellis and it’s impossible to think of a writer better suited to this unusual team book.

The group was made up of villains before but now we get such "A List" bad guys as Green Goblin, Venom and Bullseye. There’s plenty of action in 111 but the best scenes are the ones where Norman Osborn interviews the individual members of the team. Deodato shows us everything we need to know in these scenes from body language and facial expression with artist and writer in perfect symmetry. Bullseye even gets a wonderful flashback to Miller era Daredevil and it’s that kind of dark, brooding atmosphere the comic evokes. If Civil War had given us nothing else it would have been worth it for this series alone. A must have. Grade: A-

Article Author: Ian Woolstencroft

Ian Woolstencroft was brought up on a diet of John Wayne movies and Marvel Comics and still has a passion for both. Now as a blogcritic he finally understands what Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben meant when he said ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ …

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