Thanos = Death
The Story - Picking up from the last issue, all hell is break lose, as the war rages in maximum speed, Nova attemps a suicidal rescue mission involving getting in the Starship Sanctuary, Cancerverse Lord Marvell´s base, who is looking for Earth´s Avatar of Death. This strike team is formed by Beta Ray Bill, Gladiator, Silver Surfer, Quasar, Ronan and Nova. As they attempt to rescue Namorita and engage in battle with Mar-Vell, Mar-Vell discovers where the Avatar of Death is. Meanwhile, in Cancerverse, Star-Lord and his Guardians are trying to find out a way to fix Drax´s mess (killing Thanos in issue # 3).
The Writing - In terms of dialogues this issue is the best so far. We have very interesting and funny conversations between Silver Surfer, Nova and Quasar. Norrin even cracked a joke. Still in the dialogue department, Peter Quill´s rampage on Drax is very funny too, so is Cosmo´s bravatas towards Thanos (ohh yeahh, it apears that Lady Death has denied Thanos of death: he no longer can be killed - he´s destined to live forever). Mar-Vell-s dialogues shows what kind of loonie he really is (sadist, cruel yada yada). The narrative of this series is being carefully builded since Guardians of the Galaxy, so it´s very cohesive, coherent and a little to obvious (for lack of a better word): 1) a dimension is invading our dimension; 2) their leader is a evil version of a dead heroe of our universe; 3) the cosmic heroes of our universe forge an alligience with all the great empires - Shiar, Kree - in order to stop this menace; 4) there are two war fronts (a strike team is sent to rescue captured heroes). So it´s a little banal, not too original, but that doesn´t make this book a dull story at all. It´s very well written and got my atention from the beggining to the end. Hope in issue # 5 they spice things a little bit.
The Art - Ok, this is the strong point in this book. What wonderful art!!! Full of details, it´s really amazing, very rich textures, awesome pencils and inks by Miguel Sepulveda. He really has surprised me in this arc. When I first heard of Thanos Imperative and I´ve seen his name as the artist I´d immediatly thought to myself: "What the hell, why they didn´t call Paul Pelletier or Brad Walker to pencil this book. I don´t know with this is going to work". And it´s working perfectly!!!! Miguel can make good panels, splashes, actions scenes, interior, has great notion of body movement and anatomy, can pencil precise ambients and backgrounds. You can see how skillfull and versatile he is by looking at pages 2 (Namorita in restrains), 3-4 (beautifull and well executed splash), 6-7 (Beta Ray Bill, Gladiator and Silver Surger kicking ass), 9-10 (Nova entering the bridge and facing Mar-Vell), 12 (Nova dodging Mar-Vell-s blasts), 16-17 (Thanos being reborn), just to name a few. Also beautifull colors.
The Bad - I didn´t like Silver Surfer´s colors, felt odd to me, because I´ve never seen him like this (like shining and hollow). I don´t know why Marvel doesn´t use Quasar´s powers more often like a Green Lantern, that would been cool (his slingshot was very good). And the "lack" of originality in the script, there´s no "surprise", a little too expected.
The Verdict - It´s an important series, maybe the best Marvel is producing this semester, so for those who enjoy cosmic adventures it´s definitely a Pick Up.
4 out 5
The Writing - In terms of dialogues this issue is the best so far. We have very interesting and funny conversations between Silver Surfer, Nova and Quasar. Norrin even cracked a joke. Still in the dialogue department, Peter Quill´s rampage on Drax is very funny too, so is Cosmo´s bravatas towards Thanos (ohh yeahh, it apears that Lady Death has denied Thanos of death: he no longer can be killed - he´s destined to live forever). Mar-Vell-s dialogues shows what kind of loonie he really is (sadist, cruel yada yada). The narrative of this series is being carefully builded since Guardians of the Galaxy, so it´s very cohesive, coherent and a little to obvious (for lack of a better word): 1) a dimension is invading our dimension; 2) their leader is a evil version of a dead heroe of our universe; 3) the cosmic heroes of our universe forge an alligience with all the great empires - Shiar, Kree - in order to stop this menace; 4) there are two war fronts (a strike team is sent to rescue captured heroes). So it´s a little banal, not too original, but that doesn´t make this book a dull story at all. It´s very well written and got my atention from the beggining to the end. Hope in issue # 5 they spice things a little bit.
The Art - Ok, this is the strong point in this book. What wonderful art!!! Full of details, it´s really amazing, very rich textures, awesome pencils and inks by Miguel Sepulveda. He really has surprised me in this arc. When I first heard of Thanos Imperative and I´ve seen his name as the artist I´d immediatly thought to myself: "What the hell, why they didn´t call Paul Pelletier or Brad Walker to pencil this book. I don´t know with this is going to work". And it´s working perfectly!!!! Miguel can make good panels, splashes, actions scenes, interior, has great notion of body movement and anatomy, can pencil precise ambients and backgrounds. You can see how skillfull and versatile he is by looking at pages 2 (Namorita in restrains), 3-4 (beautifull and well executed splash), 6-7 (Beta Ray Bill, Gladiator and Silver Surger kicking ass), 9-10 (Nova entering the bridge and facing Mar-Vell), 12 (Nova dodging Mar-Vell-s blasts), 16-17 (Thanos being reborn), just to name a few. Also beautifull colors.
The Bad - I didn´t like Silver Surfer´s colors, felt odd to me, because I´ve never seen him like this (like shining and hollow). I don´t know why Marvel doesn´t use Quasar´s powers more often like a Green Lantern, that would been cool (his slingshot was very good). And the "lack" of originality in the script, there´s no "surprise", a little too expected.
The Verdict - It´s an important series, maybe the best Marvel is producing this semester, so for those who enjoy cosmic adventures it´s definitely a Pick Up.
4 out 5