Wolverine Week-in-Review: X-Men and Spider-Man, Ghost Boxes (and Dark Reign Open Thread)
Aside from the dreadful Wolverine: Flies to a Spider one shot (see ‘Hama Meets Tieri” review), Wolverine made appearances in three other issues this week (December 10, 2008). And since we had so much fun last week with the Secret Invasion finale, I thought it might be fun to take a look at Dark Reign #1 despite Wolverine not appearing…
X-Men and Spider-Man #2 (preview)
“Last Hunts”
Writer: Christos Gage
Artist: Mario Alberti
Mario Alberti’s art is simply breathtaking in this clever tale by Christos Gage that fits effortlessly within the classic eighties stories of Mutant Massacre and Kraven’s Last Hunt.
Not to mention Wolverine gets to cut loose in his battle with Sabretooth and the rest of the Marauders.
A most enjoyable diversion marred only by Spider-Man’s dreadful reference to Wolverine’s “adamantium tuchus.”
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Astonishing X-Men: Ghost Boxes #2 (preview)
“4”
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Kaare Andrews
For me, this is Warren Ellis at his best.
A smart and wry take on established characters in an apocalyptic future.
And you gotta love the art by Kaare Andrews.
What If? Fallen Son (preview)
“What If… Iron Man Had Died'”
Writers: Marc Sumerak
Artist: Trevor Goring
This round of What If tales has been especially weak, and unfortunately for me, Wolverine camoes yet again.
And while Wolverine doesn’t appear in Dark Reign #1 by Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev, we had enough reaction last week in our Secret Invasion #8 Open Thread, that I thought we might want to try it again…
The story itself seems pretty intriguing, with Norman Osborn giving the keys to the kingdom to Dr. Doom, Namor, Emma Frost, a very feminine Loki (when did that happen?!?) and the Hood (which one of these doesn’t belong?). But as mentioned elsewhere, the artwork by Alex Maleev is simply dreadful. Namor looks like a balding, out-of-shape gigolo complete with five o’clock shadow (not to mention his bizarre dialogue). Loki looks like an aging, flabby and eyebrow-less drag queen. Even Norman Osborn is unrecognizeable if not for the dialogue.
So while the issue itself is pretty strong, the artwork is so jarring that I can’t help but think it was done on purpose.
So like last week, please join in on the fun!
Oh Loki came back as a woman in the pages of the new Thor.
It actually is not too bad a read. I don’t collect it, but I scan over it at the rack.
DiG wouldnt it make more sense to get to chapter 31 of your wolvie thing rather then constantly updating the same first five, because the stuff will keep being altered for like two more years in wolverine origins and the first class series.
Let me get this out of the way. I love the New Avengers. The core of that team is Luke Cage, Spider-Man, and Wolverine. They have been in every incarnation of the New Avengers so far and I hope that never changes. For me they represent the “Street Police” version of The New Avengers. While the Mighty Avengers have “Super Man” type powers and can fly into outer space, The New Avengers are dealing with cleaning up the streets and kicking but at “street level”. Much like Spider Man and Luke Cage have been doing for a long time now.… Read more »
About Astonishing X-Men: Ghost Boxes #2, after reading twice, I’m not sure what’s the meaning of showing all these apocalyptic futures, I fail to see some connection with the Marvel Universe dimension.
Yeah, the art and Namor is very strange. Glad you agree with my assessment and I like the addition of Gigolo to the description. Maleev has drawn a decent Namor before. Maybe it was on purpose or perhaps rushed for some reason. But it threw me too. Otherwise like you I thought it was pretty good and seems pretty interesting. I think the last part with Doom and Namor was pretty good. Reminded me of thier old days from Super Villian Team Up (mmm memories) I like what the internet is calling the Cabal, The Illuminaughty. Get it Illuminati +… Read more »
It still was a good read. And since the Ghost Boxes are links to other parallel worlds, it is relevant to the actual story that is going on.
And yeah Namor looks like garbage. I thought he was a fish type of person who didn’t have to shave.