Ultimate Origins #3
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Butch Guice
It’s all connected.
It’s really all connected.
‘Ultimate Origins’ #3 reveals more details of the Weapon X program. More details that actually make sense.
In other words, this is Brian Bendis at his best (or more perhaps at his better), showing once and for all how weak ‘Secret invasion’ is by comparison.
Oh, and Ultimate Wolverine likes Cap’n Crunch.
Or is that Ultimate Cap’n Crunch?
From Marvel (preview): “Wolverine… Nick Fury… Captain America… Magneto & Professor X… how are they all connected? Witness the first meeting between Charles Xavier, leader of the X-Men, and Eric Lehnsherr, the mutant who will come to be known as Magneto! From the muddy battle fields of World War II to the steaming shadows of the Savage Land, Brian Michael Bendis (Secret Invasion) and Butch Guice (Captain America) continue the shocking story that finally reveals the buried truths of the Ultimate Universe!” On sale August 6, 2008.
Avengers/Invaders #4
“Book Four: Hell on the Helicarrier”
Plot: Alex Ross & Jim Krueger; Script: Jim Krueger
Pencils: Steve Sadowski
At long last, Wolverine makes more than just a cameo appearance — though only barely.
And our cranky mutant finally gets some decent dialogue, “What’re you? The God of borin’ me ta death?!”
I’m not sure exactly where this series is going as the story, unfortunately, fails to match the brilliant covers by Alex Ross.
Eight more issues to see if this is a buildup to something spectacular or just another superhero slugfest.
From Marvel (preview): “Act One of this 12-part event concludes with a four-way battle royale among both teams of Avengers, the Invaders and the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – all above the landmarks of Washington D.C. Plus, Doctor Strange discovers the secret of the time-lost Invaders, all while trying to keep all of history from rewriting itself…and the Avengers out of reality.” On sale August 6, 2008.
X-Men: Odd Men Out #1
“Odd Men Out”
Writer: Roger Stern
Penciler: Dave Cockrum; Inker: Joe Rubenstein
This Dave Cockrum tribute issue features two unpublished stories by the late artist, the first boasts a smoking (!) Wolverine, the second deals exclusively with the New Mutants.
“Odd Men Out” is very similar to ‘Uncanny X-Men’ #138, but instead of a funeral, we witness the retelling of the history of the X-Men in the guise of a conversation between Professor Xavier and former FBI agent Frederick Amos Duncan.
A most unremarkable story, I must admit, but it is nice to see the first artist of the original New X-Men (and the first to render Logan’s face) one final time.
From Marvel (preview): “Featuring two never-before-seen stories illustrated by the late, legendary Dave Cockrum. First up, relive the history of the X-Men, as recounted by Professor X and his old friend, former FBI Agent Fred Duncan. Then, the New Mutants – Rictor, Boom Boom, Cannonball, Rusty, Skids, Sunspot and Wolvesbane – face off against the Mad Thinker.” On sale July 30, 2008.
Wolverine: Origins #27
“Son of X, Conclusion”
Writer: Daniel Way
Artist: Stephen Segovia
Enough with the flashbacks!
Did Marvel decree that every single freakin’ comic I read be accompanied by at least 14 pages of flashback?
To make matters worse, we are forced to endure 13 of those pages as Daken’s ‘origin,’ one of the least compelling characters created in recent memory.
While I’m ranting, I am equally tired of villains who are the epitome of the undefeatable opponent one issue, and easily dispatched within a page the next.
And the final-page surprise only promises more melodrama for the next story arc.
From Marvel (preview): “The origin of Daken, the son of Wolverine! Following in his father’s footsteps, Daken is inducted into a secret society of killers and trained by the master himself—the mysterious being known as Romulus. But now that Daken has been freed from his master’s grasp by his father, Wolverine, has his training ended…or has it just begun?” On sale July 30, 2008.
Wolverine #67
‘Old Man Logan, Part 2’
Writer: Mark Millar
Penciler: Steve McNiven; Inker: Dexter Vines
I’m still a little underwhelmed a quarter of the way into this ‘epic’ tale.
But I’m equally willing to give Millar the benefit of the doubt. The book has a gorgeous look to it thanks to Steve McNiven and promises big things in the next six issues.
But as of right now, there really isn’t much meat on the bones, more like ‘My Fellow Americans’ meets a Bob Hope/Bing Crosby road picture.
And there is a little voice in the back of my head warning me that Millar is merely using this story as an excuse to indulge in a road trip through a cool future he came up with.
Here’s hoping that little voice is wrong.
From Marvel (preview): “‘Logan owes the Hulk Gang. He owes them big, and they’re not the kind to let a debt slide, even for the guy who—50 years ago—called himself Wolverine. So Logan’s agreed to a crazy ride across America with the blind archer, Hawkeye, to deliver a package to the East Coast. First stop: San Francisco…but only if Logan and Hawkeye can make it past—the GHOST RIDERS. MARK MILLAR and STEVE MCNIVEN—the best-selling creative team of the 21st century—continue the biggest Wolverine story the future has ever seen! Part 2 (of 8)” On sale July 30, 2008.
New Avengers #43
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Billy Tan; Inks: Danny Miki
Nine pages of actual story.
That’s the most we’ve received from ‘New Avengers’ (or ‘Mighty Avengers’ for that matter) in over three months.
Sure, we had 14 pages of Skrull flashback (including a pre-X-Men Wolverine asking, “Anyone else all kinds of pissed off?”), but we also managed nine pages of things actually happening.
And guess what we learned.
Remember the Captain America who emerged from the Skrull ship with all the other heroes who turned out to be Skrulls?
Well, it turns out he’s a Skrull, too.
Shocking, I know.
From Marvel (preview): “SPIDER-MAN VERSUS CAPTAIN AMERICA IN THE JUNGLES OF THE SAVAGE LAND! But who is who and what is what?? At least one of these people isn’t who they say they are. Plus a huge chapter in the Secret Invasion story as more information as to how the Skrulls set their major plans in motion is revealed…” On sale July 23, 2008.
Wolverine: First Class #5
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: Clayton Henry
Another really strong issue.
A little bizarre in that it’s all flashback, but pretty good at chronicling Wolverine’s days with Alpha Flight. The screen of Alpha Flight candidates is especially well done (what with Stitch and Smart Alec).
Unfortunately, Van Lente seems to mix up a Colonel Kinney with Major Chasen — the guy whose tie Wolverine cut off when he resigned his Canadian commission prior to joining the X-Men.
And the goat.
I have no idea what’s up with the goat.
From Marvel (preview): “TO ME, MY X-MEN! You must immediately pursue Wolverine into Canada! He has defected back to ALPHA FLIGHT…and taken Kitty Pryde with him!” On sale July 23, 2008.
Ultimate X-Men #96
‘Absolute Power, Part 3’
Writer: Aron E. Coleite
Penciler: Clay Mann; Inker: Carlos Cuevas
Artist: Brandon Peterson
This story arc has been throwing me for a loop since it began.
It’s really quite good (especially with this issue’s Wolverine revelation), but for some reason, it hasn’t clicked for me.
And then it hit me.
This isn’t the Ultimate Universe.
Take the overwhelming self-righteousness prevalent on both sides of the Banshee drug controversy. Indignation that came out of nowhere and has turned this series into more of an Elseworlds version of ‘Ultimate X-Men.’ Ironic for ‘Ultimate X-Men’ itself is an Elseworlds version of the original Marvel mutants.
Good thing we’re only a few months away from the ‘Ultimatum’ and the end of the Ultimate Universe as we know it.
From Marvel (preview): “X-Men vs. X-Men! After their attack on Alpha Flight, Colossus and his team are wanted fugitives! Worse, they’ve become addicted to the insidious drug known as Banshee! Now it’s up to the other X-Men to take them down. Yes, it’s mutant vs. mutant! When the X-Men go to war with each other, who wins? Plus, the startling revelation of Jean Grey! Where did she go after defeating Apocalypse? Find out here!” On sale July 23, 2008.
Uncanny X-Men #500
“SFX, Part One”
Writer: Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction
Artists: Greg Land and Terry Dodson
The week I’m in New York City on vacation is the same week the X-Men head west for San Francisco.
It figures.
But it also feels somewhat incongruous.
The Marvel version of San Francisco (a lovely city, by the way) is just a little too happy and a little too shiny for my tastes.
And the alternating art by Greg Land (happy smiles, shiny white teeth) and Terry Dodson (big-breasted women) is equally incongruous and jarring, especially for mutants who purport to protect “a world that hates and fears them.”
So paint me apprehensive when it comes to this new mutant world order.
And don’t forget the stunning Alex Ross variant cover…
From Marvel (preview): “Sentinels? What? And Magneto? And is that the Master Mold? What the hell is going on in San Francisco now that the Uncanny X-Men have relocated there? They’ve got a new Headquarters and a new status quo as the gauntlet is thrown for a new era of mutantkind. It’s all here in the double-sized anniversary issue that sets up the plotlines that will be developed over the next year in UNCANNY. And it’s all brought to you by the hot writing team of Ed Brubaker & Matt Fraction (Immortal Iron Fist) and fan favorite artists Greg Land and Terry Dodson. New creators, new home. The future begins now.” On sale July 23, 2008.
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Sales of the original ‘Uncanny X-Men’ series have held fairly consistently for the past six years. I wish I could go back further than the eight years shown here to see how these numbers compare to the heyday of the 1980s. And yes, ‘Uncanny X-Men’ has averaged almost 15 issues per year (and managed 19 issues in 2003!).
While there have been many spikes in sales since 2000, the letters on the chart above correspond to the most pronounced jumps:
– A: Issue 395 (sales of 130,299) featured the ‘relaunch’ by Joe Casey at the same time as the Grant Morrison relaunch of ‘New X-Men’
– B: Issue 400 (sales of 125,044) was the landmark 400th issue by Joe Casey
– C: Issue 444 (sales of 112,500) boasted the return of Chris Claremont to the flagship X-Men title
– D: Issue 475 (sales of 103,993) started Ed Brubaker’s run on the series
– E: Issue 494 (sales of 105,520) marked a three-issue spike around the ‘Messiah CompleX’ crossover
Actual data comes from the monthly top 300 charts generated by ICv2.com.
Previous sales overview include
–Adjectiveless X-Men Sales #103-211
–New Avengers #1-41 Sales
–Ultimate X-Men #1-94 Sales Analysis
–Sales Overview for ‘Astonishing X-Men’ #1-24 (and Giant-Size)
–Sales Overview for ‘Wolverine’ Vol. 2, uh… Vol. 3?
–‘Wolverine: Origins’ Sales Freefall
