City Of Heroes 16 There’s a saying “If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.” So I won’t. Grade: D
Civil War 5
This issue sees two new recruits to the resistance side – Spider-Man and The Punisher, with the later coming to the rescue of the former. It’s another amazingly crafted piece of work from Millar and McNiven that justifies its place as the top selling comic at the moment. Once again it provides the most memorable scene of the month, this time it’s at the end as a captured Daredevil hands Tony Stark a silver dollar with the words “Guess that’s thirty-one pieces of silver you’ve got now, huh? Sleep well Judas.” Grade: B+
Civil War: Choosing Sides
This is a one-shot that uses Civil War to spotlight some of Marvel’s new and upcoming titles with varying degrees of success. Things get off to a good start as Venom gets recruited to the Thunderbolts in an eight page story that continues in Thunderbolts 110. Leinil Yu is one of the hottest artists in modern comics and you can see why in this brilliantly rendered short story. He may not be setting the world alight with Blade but Marc Guggenheim does a commendable job here, raising a smile without diminishing the menace of Venom.
The Irredeemable Ant-Man is a different kind of hero more interested in scoring with the ladies than putting himself in harms way to save someone. He’s something of a conscientious objector in the Civil War and this story shows him watching a major confrontation from the sidelines. Bringing a touch of light relief to the war this is a good showcase for the ongoing title.
Iron Fist’s tale is the books highlight. Brubaker and Fracton take the recent Daredevil regular and give him a warm up for his own comic. David Aja’s art is dark, stylish and fluid, a star in the making.
U.S. Agent will shortly be seen in Omega Flight and if you want to know why he’s joining the Canadian super-team the answers here. It’s by far the least promising of the titles being promoted and won’t inspire me to pick up what looks likely to be a lacklustre comic.
The original Howard The Duck as written by Steve Gerber was an essential purchase in the 70’s but the characters come a long way since then. Sadly that journeys all been downhill and the less said about his appearance here the better.
The same is also true of Marvel’s embarrassing collaboration with the Guiding Light TV soap that closes the comic. Bad art, bad story, bad idea. Grade: C+
Article comments
1 - Bill Sherman
Gotta admit I'm looking forward to Whedon's comic book continuation of the Buffy saga . . .
2 - Joy
Awesome!! I love comic books! And it's really great to read something from someone who knows so much about them!!! =)
3 - Rohan Venkat
Was surprised to see that your forthcoming list doesn't include Civil War #6, just recently out on the east coast, an issue I'm really looking forward to.
I remember discussing about the fact that Civil War was leaning very much to the anti-registration side, and probably wouldn't change anyone's mind past the first few issues. I now feel that I was wrong, because from this last month's glut of (often filler issues to replace the late Civil War ones) Civil War tie-in issues, I'm quite surprised to say that I'm on the pro-registration side now.
That is to say, I'm on the leave America, but if you stay in the country then register side, because, for one, I don't see Congress ever repealing the law, and also, I have complete confidence in Tony Stark's belief that if the superheroes don't do this now, then the American Government would have done something much worse (a sky full of sentinels watching our every move) to them.
So while I don't agree with the pro's ideology, if the heroes choose to continue staying in the States, then I'd suggest they register. And this change in my ideas comes right after my favorite character switches from pro to anti.
Of course, if I were American I might not have the same belief, since I'd want to stay in my home country, and then I'd be anti.
Sorry for the excessively long comment.
4 - Ian Woolstencroft
Bill,
I’m trying not to get my hopes up too high for the Buffy mini series but it will definitely be interesting to see where Joss takes the story now that there is more than just one slayer (well there was already more than one but now there’s a LOT more than one).
Joy,
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it and I hope you’ll come back next month. :)
Rohan,
Glad you’re still enjoying Civil War, I am too. It wasn’t included in the forthcoming titles section only because I use that section to spotlight new series and major events in regular titles (like Spider-Man this month). If it was a list of the regular titles coming out each month that I'm most looking forward to Civil War would be right at the top (with Desolation Jones).
I agree that in recent months we’ve seen the viewpoint of the opposing sides from a more even perspective. Cap’s side could almost be viewed as terrorists, although the only time they’ve attacked anyone has been either defending themselves or trying to free captured comrades.
From your comment I’d say you'd be off to France with Mr Grimm. ;)
5 - manfred
I have read that JMS will quit Spiderman after this summer leaving only a final story of Mary Jane and Peter Parker , penciled by the big man himself; Joe Quesada. Too bad he has had a magnificent run.
Great review by the way overall , as usual.
By the way will you review: Spiderman: Reign 1 and X-23: Target X ?
6 - Ian Woolstencroft
Thanks Manfred,
I hadn't heard that JMS was to quit Spidey. I seem to remember a few years ago there was a rumour he was to leave, with Kevin Smith set to take over, but that never happened (Smith did a Spidey/Black Cat Limited Series instead) and I hope this turns out to be false as well. I know he is going to be doing the Thor relaunch and he's gone on record as saying that was his reason for leaving the FF.
As for Spider-Man: Reign and X-23: Target X both will be reviewed at some point, although it may be the first few issues or even the complete series. I'm tending to read new titles a few issues at a time in order to get a truer "taste" of what they have to offer.
Next month currently looks likely to include: Justice League of America 0-5, Gen 13 1-3, Immortal Iron Fist 1-2, Impaler 1-2 and Justice Society of America 1-2 plus a few others.
It's nice to know I've got a couple of regular readers in you and Rohan.
7 - manfred
I could accept Kevin Smith as a worthy successor for JMS. I read the Evil men do limited series.
If the rumours are true then Marvel will have a hard time finding a decent replacement for him I think.I just hope it wont be Brian Micheal Bendis, no offense but we get so much of that guy already.
And thank you for writing the reviews :)
-manfred