angelophile | Comic reviews - Two weeks late...

Okay, had a fair bit of catching up to do - three weeks worth this time. Lucky a couple of quiet weeks.

I've read:

CATWOMAN #42
DAREDEVIL #72
NEW AVENGERS #5
X-MEN AGE OF APOCALYPSE #6
HERCULES #1
NEW X-MEN #12
RUNAWAYS #3
UNCANNY X-MEN
WOLVERINE #27
X-MEN #169
NEW AVENGERS #3
DISTRICT X #12
PHOENIX ENDSONG #5

Some spoilers in the reviews.

CATWOMAN #42 - Pretty standard noir as Selena investigates the murders of a number of prostitutes in the East End of Gotham and traces the murders back to illegal dog fights run by an Eastern European mob boss. Not a great story, but the art has been leaps and bounds above the last regular artist who spoilt the enjoyment of the book for me. Now back on my regular order since he's gone.

DAREDEVIL #72 - As far as I recall I don't think Daredevil appeared in this book, even in flashback. There's a time and place for these noir tales of Bendis', but I like a bit more Daredevil in my Daredevil book. The story wasn't even related to a classic villain and so, apart from the name on the cover, it could have been any crime book. Disappointing.

NEW AVENGERS #5 - A good read, some excellent art and Sauron's appearance and promotion to the big leagues as the Avenger's new major villain is excellent, but all too short lived. There's some good banter going on between the characters and Wolverine's inclusion into the book isn't a bad thing. I was, however, disappointed by the continuity issues. Supposedly this book was going to tie into Uncanny X-men, but instead we find that Wolverine's appearance in the Savage Land is completely unrelated to his appearance there in Uncanny. At least Sauron's connection to Weapon X is dealt with and Sauron actually comes across here as a very effective villain, with believable motivations and the moment where he becomes the antithesis of most comic book villains.

X-MEN AGE OF APOCALYPSE #6 - A disappointing final issue to a series that I thought was doomed from the start. But the issue of the X-men versus the Guthries, coupled with some enjoyable Bachalo art kept me reading. The final issue doesn't live up to those high points and the ending is disappointingly open ended, along with a cringeworthy moment or two with Phoenix. The X-men still end up looking like murderous assholes too, and a couple of characters just drop down dead for the feeblest of reasons.

HERCULES #1 - Surprisingly, not quite the light hearted romp I expected from the solicits. A film crew are doing a documentary on Hercules and his life. But it's not quite as thrilling as expect, considering Herc has turned into a bit of a washout, more interested in talking the good fight than giving it and growing soft on women and booze. There's still plenty of humour, but there's plenty that's rather dark and often touching, such as Hercules drunkenly interrupting the funeral service for the fallen Avengers to curse the fact that Thor's death hasn't even been noticed by them.

NEW X-MEN #12 - The secret is out as Josh's relationship with Rahne is revealed by the frankly sleezy Kevin. I can't say how much I hate Kevin, who I find thoroughly repugnant and irritating as a character. Poor Laurie's reaction is much as expected but Josh actually seems to be getting more likable and he actually seems to have taken his relationship with Laurie seriously. Rahne's disappointment with herself and Dani's rather superior attitude are understandable, but Dani does come across as being a bit of a hypocrite. There's a lot of story here to enjoy, with a number or subplots included, however, giving an indication what writers could accomplish in a single issue if they put their minds to it. Rahne's kids are cute and I want to see more of them and it's actually sad that the "heroes" of the book still keep grabbing the glory. Time to give the other kids a chance.

RUNAWAYS #3 - Excellent stuff as Excelsior and the Runaways have the standard superhero confrontation. Misunderstandings, infighting and professionals made to look like idiots. It's the classic story. Chamber gets some great lines, Molly steals the show as usual, but it's an ensemble book and each of the characters gets a good share of witty lines and amusing situations. An outstanding read and still one of the best books out there.

UNCANNY X-MEN - The Savage Land adventure continues. It's dragged on a little long, but there's still plenty of fun to be had this issue as the mutates and some of the X-men team up to take down the dinosaur mutants. Rachel being controlled yet again seems like a retread of a story we've seen hundreds of times before, however. But it's Betsy and X23 that steal the show. X23 getting more personality, and the Alan Davis touches like Betsy sat on a branch braiding her hair with X23 cutely attempting to copy her are absolutely adorable. Classic Claremont through and through. That may or may not be a good thing, depending on your tastes.

WOLVERINE #27 - Wolverine shakes off the brainwashing by the Hand and as a group of controlled superheroes and villains, led by the undead Northstar and Elektra, attack the SHIELD helicarrier, Wolverine breaks out and, well, kills pretty much everyone. Considering that these guys are every bit as much victims as Wolvy was when he was brainwashed, it's hard to not feel slightly disgusted by his coldblooded dispatch of them, and his promises to kill Northstar for a second time. And, frankly, his decision at the end of the book, to commit genocide on those that were in any way involved with his capture, all 30,000 or so of them, is pretty sick. Not a bad issue but Wolverine continues to come off as a hateful character. Presumably Millar's intent.

X-MEN #169 - The narrative flow of this book settles down a little bit at last, for this issue. It's not a great issue, but probably Milligan's best so far, as the X-men shut down the mansion and search for the Golgotha, an alien fungus that feeds on bad emotions apparently. Cue an issue of the X-men all slowly going stir crazy as their inner demons all surface. Some things don't follow - Rogue absorbs Logan's consciousness and believes she is Logan, but still answers to Rogue? But it's an enjoyable enough read that doesn't offend. Sadly, still far and away the worst X-book though. Such a pity, I had high hopes for Milligan.

YOUNG AVENGERS #3 - Another solid issue as the origins of a couple of the New Avengers are revealed and Cassie Lang's recent "growth spurt" are explained. It's the adults that get a little more development here. Tony Stark blaming himself for what happened to the Avengers, Cap's attitude towards the origins of Patriot. The art's the high point of this issue, although it's only hair colour that really enables you to tell characters apart it never offends the eye. The story's solid enough too. It's not a great read, like the prior issues, but still surprisingly enjoyable.

DISTRICT X #12 - Cancelled with issue 14, although there's the House of M tie in still to come, I won't really miss this book. The central character has gone from likable to hateful in the course of 12 issues, although he does a fair bit this issue to repair some of the damage done to his character. Still not liking him, but I'll stick with it to the end of the run I guess.

X-MEN PHOENIX ENDSONG #5 - This miniseries comes to an end and the ending isn't QUITE what I'd hoped, relying too heavily on saccharine effects rather than the rather sombre tone of what's gone before. Things tie up neatly enough, but it's clear this story is anything but the FINAL Phoenix story we were promised. The art's delightful and the script continues to be high quality, as the rest of the series, but it doesn't quite sparkle in the same way. I want to see more of Quentin and the way he ends this issue is saddening, although there's a lovely moment with Sophie. It should please Jean fans that she's so highly regarded by her "friends", but I thought Emma spreading the love was just a bit too much. Still, it's been a great series all round and Pak deserves an X series of his own.