Thursday, May 26, 2011



Daken: Dark Wolverine #9.1
Wow, Rob Williams turns in what is probably the best ".1" issue I have read in that it actually is a both a good story, moves the overall plot forward, and serves as a good jumping-on point for new readers. It wraps up Daken's time in Madripoor without too much confusion, then jumps to his confronting his father, Wolverine, to tell him he's pretty much done living in his father's shadow but acting like he isn't--this time he is actually going to be his own man. Then Daken gets set up in LA and the story is primed for a whole new set of adventures with our anti-hero. This issue has some great character moments for Daken, flows well, looks good, and as I said, actually could work for someone who doesn't know the character and wants to pick up the next issue. I am impressed, and happy that this ".1" issue came out before #10 as at one point it looked like they may have actually been released out of order--which would have totally been a kerfluffle. Yeah, this rocked.
4.5 out of 5 stars.

Heroes For Hire #7
This advanced the overall plot of wondering just what the puppet-master was up to in those first five issues, was loaded with some hilarious moments--along with some actual thoughtful introspection on the part of Paladin about just what it means to be a C-list hero--and had tons of great action. Plus, it involved an underground/illegal dinosaur fighting ring. I'm sold.
4 out of 5 stars.

Deadpool #37
Deadpool realizes what he really wants is to die, and after meeting up with Wolverine he sees the only person who might be able to help him achieve his goal is the Hulk. As this is Daniel Way writing this series you know that means we are going to get lots of dark humor and fun action, and because Bong Dazo illustrated this issue you know that means any female characters are going to be drawn really suggestively--but the only female character is Deadpool imagining Death so we get this creepy image of a sexy sorta-skeleton, sorta-human in a bikini, giving me something to add to the list of pictures I never wanted to see but have. It's a fun issue, but it really is just Deadpool bugging the Hulk and getting beaten up by him. I'm sure a cool twist is coming in future issues as Daniel Way always does that, but this issue is really just slapstick and explosions. Don't get me wrong, I like slapstick and explosions, I just like deeper stuff thrown in too--which the last issue had and later issues will have, but this lacks.
3 out of 5 stars.

Thunderbolts #157
Wow, I've been loving this series and was just horribly disappointed by this. Maybe it is how Kev Walker doesn't illustrate the whole issue? No, it can't be that, I've loved issues that don't have him. Could it be the cliche use of a monster that makes the heroes see a worst fear of sorts? No, that was a bit corny but it worked well and was genuinely creepy with some of the heroes, especially Luke Cage. Was it how the story seemed to suddenly wrap up its current story and then within seven-ish pages rush as fast as possible into position for its tie-in to Fear Itself, jamming way too much into way too little space? Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's it. The uncomfortable way it jolts everyone around practically gave me whip-lash and felt unnatural to the flow of the story. I don't blame Jeff Parker, its probably not his fault--I bet Marvel told him he had to tie-in with Fear Itself, what with Juggernaut being on the Thunderbolts team and playing a role in the big event--but wow, is it really awkward, dragging the whole issue down. Plus, the issue doesn't even end on a good point, it just sort of ends at a random spot, its just sloppy. Again, I don't blame Parker, but I hope this rush to get everything in order for Fear Itself means things will flow better when the actual tie-in starts next issue.
2.5 out of 5 stars.

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