Whoo comics

[angelophile]

Managed to cheer myself up a bit by making the comic run yesterday at least. Absolutely shattered this morning, but I've found time to catch up before my inevitable nap.

Cut for those people who don't care about my thoughts on comics. ;).



This week's purchases -

New X-men - Good but not great. Kinda have a problem with the way Grant is playing around with so many storylines during this arc. I want to know what's going on with Jean, Beast, Emma and Logan dammit. At least Scott and Fantomex's fate was revealed this issue. Overall though, an enjoyable read. Two things annoyed me - Basilisk's fate (although Magnetos justification for the act was quite amusing. Too annoying sums up Basilisk pretty well. The second thing was the throwaway line about how Magneto had lured all the heroes out of Manhattan so he could take over. Probably some people will appreciate the not towards actually trying to explain why the Avengers or someone haven't handed his ass to him, but it was such a lame explanation I'd rather they didn't bother trying to explain it.

On the plus side - a great looking cover, beautifully painted. A story focusing on Beak, beak and Angel's brood of bugbirds who are just too cute, really nice art and colouring - the pages coloured so that the characters appeared to be stood in the rain a particular highlight, making the whole book horribly gloomy. Some explanation given as to why Magneto's losing it is good too.

Emma Frost - Again a good read, with the story unfolding at its own pace. No doubt not everyones cup of tea, coming across as Dynasty with mutants and perhaps the story is a little too slow at times, but this issue was average with the ending pushing it up a level.

Cat Woman - Poor new art team didn't help my enjoyment of this book. the previous fill in arts have been much better and kept to the retro style of the book which is one of the major attractions in reading it.

Daredevil - Really one to read in graphic novel form, where David Mack's art can be apprciated and the story paced better. it feels a bit odd reading it in sections and the break offs don't seem natural. On the plus side I do adore the art, but it's more of a fill in til Brian Michael Bendis returns.

Spectacular Spiderman - Another book where the art is such fun it pulls the story up a few notches. Ramos' style is sublime and the development of Doc Oc this month made an interesting read. I'd question whether they reall need 3 books starring Do Oc and Spiderman out at the mom,ent though. and that's not even including the Ultimates versions.

Mystique - Solid storytelling, great art and an interesting character make this book a steadily enjoyable read. However, nothing yet has made me go 'wow'. It's good, but not surprising on the whole. Few flashes of genius but it's consistant at least.

X-statix - A much improved issue, thanks to dragging attention away from the Di clone. (Although an early scene with X-statix showing their resolve against terrorism but holding a fashion show was brilliantly pointed.) The rest of the book was similarly barbed but focusing in on Guy Smith, Lacuna and Spike Freeman gave the story a much needed kick up the jacksie. And the abrupt deaths of some major characters this issue gives hope that the X-statix of old might be back, where anyone could die at any time.

Amazing Spiderman - with the Walk in the Park with May story was oversentimental garbage. A couple of highlights, but on the whole just horrible.

Venom's one book I continue to get mainly because it's so pretty, with its Sam Keith covers and beautiful artwork, but the story actually held a couple of nice twists as well this issue. Wolverine was once again treated as the Wile Cayote of the Marvel universe as he was electrocuted, shot, and hit with a guided missile to comic effect. The shot of Venom abandoning one host, wrapping itself around a passing bullt, and reforming as the bullet struck the target was a delightful set piece.

Wolverine continues to be steadily good, and the real world approach to the writing - no supervillains, just bad people doing bad things, makes it one of the more readable Marvel books. The hardboiled dialogue is witty although the art was average this month.

Finally Uncanny X-men. What to say? There -were- actually a couple of things to enjoy this issue - the art is steadily improving, the cover with Kurt was really cute. There was a fair bit og action this issue at least that wasn't so bad. On the down side? Where to start. Unoriginal concepts (ancint biblical mutant influencing human affairs. Not seen that one before, honest.) Bobby and Alex's bitchy dialogue that was so out of character for both of them as to be utterly jarring. Alpha Flight came across as real arseholes and acted totally out of character as well. If Juggernaut is meant to be the villain of the piece they've blown that idea with Alpha Flight coming on as bloodthirsty morons. Abbys' characterisation and appearance is wrong in every way and has imply been altered to suit the story apparently. Mystique's involvement is pointless, confusing and she's just SAT there for three issues now. Jesus. The suggestion that the dimension they're trapped in is the one Nightcrawler ports through conflicts with previous cannon. But most of all there's just no POINT to the story. Austen has said he wanted to cast some light on the mystery of Nightcrawler's origin. THERE WAS NO MYSTERY! His dad was some german count, his mum was Mystique. he didn't need another dad, least of all one who thinks he's satan.

Oh and Xavier going on a rescue mission taking only the school nurse (huh?) and a certified lunatic with him. Right, a school full of X-men and carting along the one loon who tried to kill everyone a couple of issues before? That makes sense.

Please, someone, replace Austen soon.