oldnightcrawler

But even from an in-universe perspective, the X-men's job is to protect and train mutants, and to fight threats to all of humanity...

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Comics I read in May, 2014

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Well, there were no new issues of Hawkeye this month and I still haven't picked up the last few issues of New Illuminati from the shop, so this month was a little light.

Still, a few real gems here and a bunch of fun issues.

Also, just realized this month that comics only have 20 pages now; I really hadn't noticed, I just thought it was because there were more splash pages and less text, but it turns out you really do just get less story per issue than you used to (when the standard -for decades- was 22 pages).

Part of me feels outraged and ripped off by this revelation, part of me just feels like an old man; but either way I've found it's changed my perspective on how I evaluate a given issue, so I'm kind of curious to see if anyone else has any opinions about this. lemme know.

Anyway,

List items

  • Mighty Avengers #10

    Right off the bat I'll just say, I haven't been reading the Original Sin event itself and I don't really plan to. But considering how many issues of this series have been tie-ins to events I'm not reading (5 plus this one), and how many of them I enjoyed regardless of that (also 5 plus this one), I decided to not let not knowing the whole story sway me from what's becoming one of my favorite books.

    Like the last few issues of this series, the focus of this issue is primarily on (my new favorite Avenger)Blue Marvel with a continuing subplot about the secret mission that Ronin's engaged in.

    Ewing's been doing a great job of making BM feel like a classic marvel hero who's just always been around by providing him a history believably filled with human trials and regrets, and this issue is no exception as we find BM dealing with the death of his longtime friend Uatu the Watcher. It's a really human, character-driven story that is ultimately as satisfying as it is sad.

    While Land's artwork on the main story is serviceable, my only complaint about the issue would be that his surface style does absolutely nothing for Ronin's story, ultimately failing to enhance the horror and absurdity that could have made these scenes really fun.

    Still, the issue as a whole shines despite this as the most sentimental and satisfying issue I read this month.

  • All-new X-factor #7 and #8

    Both issues 7 and 8 felt a little light compared to issues from the previous arc, but that's forgivable for me since between the two we still got a complete story in one month.

    And it's a decent little story, with some intriguing character developments, neat (even when expected) twists, and the introduction of a few new characters and plots that are sure to effect the story going forward.

    Di Giandomenico's fluid layouts and character work, along with the starkly subtle pallet of Lee Loughridge, continues to give this book a kinetic look and feel befitting a series staring such dynamic characters as Gambit, Quicksilver, Warlock, and the rest.

    Between that and Peter David getting his groove back, this book remains one of the most consistently interesting and singular titles out there.

    highly recommend.

  • Uncanny Avengers #20

    Something it's easy to forget with this current story-line is that, while it is taking place in an alternate future, all of the characters are still the 616 versions of themselves -only changed through the years they've spent in this world, but still with the history and personality they would normally have.

    Remender makes great use of the situation: though one could criticize his emphasis on X-men lore in this story, specifically his own character developments from Uncanny X-force, great moments like the exchanges between Havok and Cyclops, Wolverine and Daken, and Psylocke and herself still contribute to both the characterization and the stakes of the story, while moments like Wasp's reaction to Kang having her daughter and Thor just being generally awesome still give the story an especially Avengersy vibe.

    Daniel Acuna's art in this issue really sells it for me; with his surface style perfectly enhancing both the futuristic world of the story and it's epic nature in general, this may be some of the best work he's handed in for this (or any) book.

    With character-driven plots and intriguing developments that move the story towards it's inevitable, this issue stand as a textbook example of what makes this series one of marvel's best.

  • Wolverine and the X-men (vol.2)#4

    While the plot in this story drags a bit, most likely because of the focus on the overly tread themes of both the Phoenix and alternate futures, the characterization and solid art pull this issue though.

    Latour's made enough relevance of the small roles given to the majority of this great cast to make us intrigued by what could be in store for them in the next arc.

    he's also mostly kept the characters on the move, never in the same situation as the issue before, which really helps even the characters with smaller roles feel like they're moving the story forward.

    The art is pleasing, especially the facial and figure work, and the characterization feels solid and central. This may be the least noteworthy issue of Latour's run so far, but it's still keeping the book at a more consistent level of quality than most X-men books of late and continues to satisfy with both great art and solid character moments.

  • X-men (vol.4)#14

    I was readying myself to drop this book before the last issue (#13)came out, but then that issue finally brought the series back to the themes and plots that made the first arc of this book so compelling: how Storm would deal with the questioning of her leadership, how the dynamic of the group would develop, and just where did Jubilee's baby really come from.

    issue #14 continues these plots while simultaneously introducing new ones and dialing up both the action and mystery that's driving this story foreword. The art is a real treat, and the backup story, while light, is fun and satisfying.

    I'm really starting to feel like "Bloodline" will be the story to make good on how promising the series seemed in it's initial arc, so for anyone who lost interest in this series between then and now, I'd recommend this story as a great place to give this series another chance.

  • Uncanny X-men (vol.3)#21

    things I liked about this issue:

    -Storm and Beast taking charge of the situation. Both of these characters just seem way more in charge of the situation when Wolverine (much as I love him) isn't around running his mouth. Especially like how Beast not only saves Cyclops and Magik from SHIELD, but figures out who the mystery villain is in like two minutes. Nice to see Beast looking like the smart one again, and nice to see Storm looking like the boss.

    -Magneto saving Dazzler was great, especially his genuine disappointment in the Blob. I've missed Magneto as the wild card in this book, and I love seeing his relationship to the new Brotherhood, so this part of the story was pretty satisfying. Also can't wait to see how Dazzler reacts to all this.

    -Quire suggesting they call the cops; I dunno, this kid just cracks me up.

    things I didn't like:

    -While there were some great story developments and character moments in this issue, it felt like the issue was too light otherwise. I dunno if it's Bendis' plots or Bachalo's art, but scenes just seem like they take too much space. The first four pages seem like they could have easily been 2 or 3, taking a whole page to reveal "Dazzler"'s ultimatum was another waste of space for little effect, the scenes with Magneto and Blob take half a dozen pages that could have been 3 or 4, the two page spread of the school getting shot up could have been a splash page (especially with how many other big, explodey pages are in this issue).. the issue only had 20 pages to begin with, which already feels like a bit of a rip-off, but that it could have fit in 14 or 15 pages just makes it feel like there wasn't enough story.

    So while the story developments and character moments felt satisfying, the issue as a whole didn't really. Still, while this isn't the first issue of the series I've noticed this about, I will say I'm still loving the story and can't wait to see where it goes next.

  • Nightcrawler #2

    Much more satisfying than the first issue: here we see Claremont utilize his plot of Amanda's mystery attacker to explore not only Nightcrawler's past but also give us an untold tale of the first time NC remembers using his powers, both of which are classic Claremontian fun even if they aren't especially groundbreaking. The story plays to NC's strengths as a character, and the result is a fun, fairly satisfying read.

    Though I personally could do with anyone other than Nauck on pencils, I will admit that he does a lot more with his page layouts this issue compared to last; so my only real complaint with this issue would be his surface style, which is a rather subjective quibble.

    Either way, this issue was fun. I'll get the next.

  • Wonder Woman #31

    while the obligatory drama of Wonder Woman's controversial first decree as Queen of the Amazons makes this issue feel more necessary than entertaining, the subplots of the other demigods still infuse this issue with some epic and even disturbing character moments.

    Not the best issue of the series, but still a good issue of a great book; can't wait to read the next.

  • Cyclops #1

    For me, there are two things that really work about this book:

    1. the art is just gorgeous, and

    2. while the story of the "All-new original X-men" from the past does little to interest me, the story of young Cyclops embarking on swashbuckling space adventures with Corsair is just a great premise regardless of how it effect continuity.

    And, as a story about that, this story's got both satisfying character moments (especially between Cyclops and Corsair, bat also between the Starjammers in general) as well as a lot of heart. And some gorgeous art.

    Despite not being initially interested in this series, this issue won me over; I will get the next.

  • She-Hulk #4

    While not quite as good as the last issue, this issue still satisfies with great character moments like Shulky and Daredevil shooting superhero ethics and gosip, as well as the appearance of Dr.Doom for some great absurdist humor, and an intriguing new mystery to unravel in the end.

    While Pulido's expressions and surface style make him a perfect artist for She-Hulk, my one continuing complaint with the series is that his style for splash pages comes off as more sparse than economical, especially for pages where a splash is of little effect to the story.

    That said, it's not that the story itself feels sparse, as the pages that aren't splashes more than compensate with tons of fun dialogue, just that the overuse of splashes tends to be the book's weakest quality.

    Still, a good issue, if not the best this series has offered.

    I'll get the next.

  • Amazing X-men #7

    Remember that old 70's cartoon "Spider-man and his Amazing Friends"? This issue's much in the spirit of that, if that had been a comic series in the 90's rather than a kids cartoon in the 70's.

    It's basically what you'd expect from a team-up between Iceman and Spider-man: silly, kind of like filler, but still pretty of fun.