Comics: 2-7-07

MS. MARVEL: VOLUME 2 #12
"Something Dark Is Coming"
Writer: Brian Reed
Pencilers: Roberto De La Torre & Patrick Zircher
Inker: Jon Sibal
Colorist: Chris Sotomayor
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Cover: Greg Horn
Production: Paul Acerios & Kate Levin
Assistant Editor: Alejandro Arbona
Editor: Bill Rosemann
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley

Ms. Marvel has been an okay title so far. It was finding its voice and then got steam rolled by Civil War and still managed to get some good stories out of it. According to Brian Reed's interesting letter at the end of the issue, some big changes are ahead and that has me interested.

The issue at hand, though, is another okay offering. This series isn't doing anything spectacular and it doesn't have the unique voice of She-Hulk, but it does tell good stories with a strong character and with consistent artwork. It's a good book. This issue takes a nice spin on an old villain and puts Carol in some not-so-light places. The last pages especially drive this home (sorry Arana fans). And hey, what's up with Carol's PR lady? She's seeming quite dubious after disappearing for a while. Hmm...

MY SCORE: 7.9 (out of 10)

NEW AVENGERS #27
"Revolution part 1"
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Leinil Yu
Colorist: Dave McCaig
Letterer: RS & Comicraft's Albert Deschesne
Production: Brad Johansen
Assistant Editors: Molly Lazer & Aubrey Sitterson
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley

New Avengers has been underperforming for me lately, so this issue marks a strong upturn in quality. It's not that the stories have been lame lately, it's just that they've been so quiet. Now, I like a quiet comic, seriously, I'm all about some introspection...but the previous issues have been that and nothing of great consequence seems to have happened. Bendis' naturalistic dialogue is great...unless it's in an extremely natural setting. Then it's seriously like listening to the people next to you on the subway converse. Okay, maybe not that boring. Or scary.

The art is the standout this time around. New penciler (regular, I hope) Leinil Yu is better than ever, his splash of Echo on the opening page is particularly breathtaking. But, ah, Echo, yeah, um, when was she revealed as Ronin? Did I miss that? Was it the same issue when it was revealed that it was actually Xorn posing as Magneto in New X-Men #150? Hmm, Bendis? He seems to rely on those opening recap pages for important info.

Still, good issue and when the New Avengers appear towards the end, well, it has a great energy to it and the banter is pitch perfect.

MY SCORE: 8.7 (out of 10)

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #105
"Clone Saga: Epilogue"
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciler: Mark Bagley
Inker: Drew Hennessy
Colorist: Justin Ponsor
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit
Production: Brad Johanssen
Associate Editor: John Barber
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley

"Clone Saga" lived up to the hype, I'd say, and this issue really hit home how monumental the arc was. Pretty strong issue, one of the best in recent memory. This book is at its best when it's dealing with teen angst, and "Clone Saga" provided bucket tons of it. Yes, bucket tons. I'm not looking forward to Kitty getting dumped; that relationship has been a recent highlight of the book.

MY SCORE: 8.8 (out of 10)

UNCANNY X-MEN #483
"The Rise & Fall of the Shi'Ar Empire 9 of 12: Vulcan's Descent"
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Penciler: Clayton Henry
Inker: Mark Morales
Colorist: Frank D'Armata
Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
Assistant Editor: Sean Ryan
Editor: Nick Lowe
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley

This story is reaching epic proportions, mainly because it’s already at epic lengths. Part nine. Dang. Still, a nice momentum has been maintained and last issue's shocking cliffhanger has, rightfully, a full issue dedicated to it.

Vulcan is showing signs of another dimension, so that's a good thing. Pairing him with Deathbird, an established lunatic, gives him a nice foil and he comes across as almost...almost normal. Almost. But not really. There's a nice sense of importance and grandness to this story and it feels like it matters. Three more chapters to go and I think it's only going to get bloodier.

The art is just okay. I mean, Billy Tan's is awkward at times but Henry's gets me a little more. His torsos are long, his necks and foreheads are long, some of his poses are too stiff (not good in a love making scene...well, I mean, stiff posture). It's all good, but it's not the best. Still, it's really good...just some problems. Eh.

MY SCORE: 8.4 (out of 10)

X-MEN #195
"Primary Infection 2 of 3"
Writer: Mike Carey
Penciler: Humberto Ramos
Inker: Carlos Cuevas
Colorist: Studio F's Edgar Delgado
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit
Assistant Editor: Sean Ryan
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley

Mike Carey's run on X-Men has exceeded all of my expectations to become the most consistently entertaining of the three main titles (Astonishing is held back since it comes out only after the tribal dancers celebrate the moon ritual of Ma'Gog). It's witty, action packed, and doesn't aim to do anything above be a great read. If Carey didn't take "being a great read" so seriously, the book could have continued down the road that Peter Milligan was taking it down. The soap and over-the-top action is still here, but there's a darkness and realism to it that makes this book stand out for the first time since Morrison left two and a half years ago.

The first arc was great; it made Rogue a readable character again (a star, in fact) and gave cause to the crazy roster (was anyone clamoring for the return of Karima?). "Primary Infection" has a different artist and a less sturdy idea, but the way it reads is just a pure rush. Iceman, Lady Mastermind and Karima's infiltration of Palance's headquarters was great fun and I was definitely cheering when Iceman held his own; Carey's starting to finesse him like he has Rogue.

The art has improved. I usually don't like Ramos over-exaggerated characteristics but it seems to work moreso than in the previous issue. His final splash page, and the idea itself, has me giddily waiting for the next issue.

MY SCORE: 8.9 (out of 10)

X-MEN ANNUAL: VOLUME 2 #1
"Covenant"
Writer: Mike Carey
Penciler: Mark Brooks
Inkers: Jaime Mendoza with Victor Olazaba
Colorists: John Rouch & Chris Sotomayor
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit
Assistant Editor: Sean Ryan
Editors: Andy Schmidt & Mike Marts
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley

Annuals were lame. That's why Marvel got rid of them five or so years ago. They were the dumping ground for forgotten characters in non-canonical adventures told by second rate writers with third rate artists. But because everything is cyclical (like Rogue's costume), they're back and they actually matter.

I thoroughly enjoyed this issue for one reason: Mike Carey has a memory. My main problem with comics nowadays (to sound like I'm an old-timer) is their treatment of the past. It's usually forgotten or contradicted for no good reason, the newer writers jettisoning what they don't want and amplifying what they do. Carey, though, has thus proven to be knowledgeable of the past and able to adjust it to meet his current needs without rendering it unrecognizable. This issue features Exodus, Random, Tempo and Frenzy, all of which are portrayed correctly and have a wee little goal. I also enjoy the interactions between Mystique and Rogue; Carey's handling that well and it's really making both characters shine. Lastly, Carey ran us through the history of Northstar and Aurora in an attempt to heal both of their fractured minds. That's right, Carey, the best way to appease fans is to let us know that you know where they're coming from. Thanks.

The story is okay, the art is acceptable (some of Brooks' stronger work), and the ending is oh-so-delightful to me. That is, if Carey follows up on all this at some point. I hope so, because I really think Carey could do the character on the last page justice.

MY SCORE: 8.7 (out of 10)