Ultimate Origins #1
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Butch Guice
As much of a curmudgeon as I’ve been about the Ultimate Universe (and many reviews lately), I must admit this is a pretty good issue.
We find James Howlett and Nick Fury (with Wilson Fisk) in cahoots during the Allied invasion of Sicily in August, 1943 and later subjects of secret and illegal super-soldier testing.
I guess it all really is connected.
Good start to an intriguing series. I only wish Secret Invasion were as compelling.
From Marvel (preview): “This is it! The story that finally reveals the conspiracies behind the entire Ultimate Universe! When they first met, Bruce Banner mysteriously warned Spider-Man that ‘Everything is connected.’ Now it’s time to discover the jaw-dropping secrets that men have fought and died to protect. From the dark days of World War II to the frightening present, journey through history to learn what’s really behind the Super Soldier and Weapon X programs–and how heroes such as Captain America, Nick Fury and Wolverine have more in common than codenames and costumes.” On sale June 4, 2008.
Wolverine: Dangerous Games #1
“Tally Ho!”
Writer: Simon Spurrier
Artist: Ben Oliver
“Purity”
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Jerome Opena
Deep breath.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Okay, let me try this without ranting too much…
There’s nothing I dislike more in comics than writers who inject their stories with their sanctimonious agendas.
In “Tally Ho!” Simon Spurrier takes on fox hunting (yeah, fox hunting) in a stereotypical, cliche-ridden, one-dimensional waste of time.
Unadulterated crap.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is probably the shortest and most succinct rant of my life.
The second story, “Purity,” on the other hand isn’t nearly as bad. We get some promising artwork from Jerome Opena (reminds me of Marie Severin from her days on the Hulk) and Wolverine doing what he does best.
Nothing great. — just a refreshing tale to wrap up the book.
From Marvel (preview): “With bloodsports banned in the UK, a group of overfed Brit Aristos have relocated to the Louisiana forests. Their aim? To pit themselves (aided only by a vast pack of slavering hounds and their own copious wealth) against a truly worthy foe: a single, terrified fox. Sadly for them, there’s more than one furry little critter in the woods tonight…” On sale June 4, 2008.
New Avengers #41
Writer: Brian Bendis
Artist: Billy Tan
The confrontation in the Savage Land inches forward and Wolverine’s only contribution (and the Skrull one at that) is to slowly climb up the side of the Tyrannosaurus Rex with his claws.
And in the all-too-frequent flashbacks that Bendis has employed to prove how meticulously planned Secret Invasion has been, we learn that the Skrull invasion dates all the way back to the very beginning of ‘New Avengers’ (complete with another Wolverine cameo).
Wow, that Brian Bendis sure is a clever guy.
While we’re on the topic, I should mention that Wolverine does NOT appear in ‘Secret Invasion’ #3, another letdown in this thoroughly disappointing Marvel event.
From Marvel (preview): “The Avengers are trapped in the Savage Land, battling friend and foe. And Spider-Man heads to the one person in the entire place he knows he can trust: Ka-Zar!! But is it really him? This important chapter rewinds the events of the very first New Avengers story and shows how it connects to the Invasion.” On sale May 29, 2008.
Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four #36
“Understudy Rumble'”
Writer: Paul Tobin
Artist: David Hahn
I don’t even know how to classify this one.
An actor dressed up Wolverine gets turned into a super-powered Wolverine.
But only for an hour. And only as a cameo.
Oh.., and to confirm, this ‘Marvel Adventures’ series is no better than the one with the Avengers.
From Marvel: “The Fantastic Four help out a college film professor by volunteering their time for his top students. Want the FF to star in your disco film? No problem. Want the FF to headline your Jane Austen-influenced romantic comedy? Sure! That can be arranged. Want to use your anti-matter powered film projector to transform a group of cos-players into evil (though quite amateur) versions of some of Marveldom’s mightiest heroes and villains, all in a bid to destroy the FF and take over the world? Uhh—now we got a problem… ” On sale May 29, 2008.
1985 #1
“Haunted”
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Tommy Lee Edwards
While Wolverine’s claws are the closest thing to a cameo inside the issue that’s not to say this isn’t worth your time.
Mark Millar (and I am not generally a fan of his work) weaves together an intriguingly off-beat account of being a comic book fan in 1985. One that seemingly crosses over with the real Marvel Universe.
If you were reading comic books in the ’80s, it’s definitely worth a read.
From Marvel (preview): “Before SECRET INVASION…before WORLD WAR HULK…before CIVIL WAR… The most powerful super-villains in the Marvel Universe gather their might to wreak havoc on the one place they’ve never before set foot—YOUR WORLD! As mankind’s enemies cut a swath of destruction with unprecedented ferocity and ruthlessness, the fate of the planet rests in the hands of one person: Toby, a 13-year-old boy who holds the key to uniting his comic-book idols, the Marvel Heroes!” On sale May 29, 2008.
X-Men: Legacy #212
Writer: Mike Carey
Penciler: Scot Eaton
Inkers: John Dell & Andrew Hennessy
A silent flashback from 1999 and a dream sequence is the extent of Wolverine’s cameo. Much more than his cover appearance would suggest.
And not being a regular reader of this series, I can’t really recommend it.
Anyone out there want to bring the rest of the class up to speed?
From Marvel (Preview): “Professor X is trying to rebuild memories of his past using other people’s minds. But the past is coming back to haunt him in another way, as a swathe of tragic deaths turns out to be linked by only one factor: Brian Xavier, the Professor’s long-dead father. And solving the mystery means paying a visit to the Hellfire Club…” On sale May 29, 2008.
X-Force (Vol. 2) #4
‘Angels & Demons, Part 4’
Writer: Christopher Yost and Craig Kyle
Artist: Clayton Clay
In my excitement over Wolverine finally leading a black ops team, I failed to notice that this series is primarily about X-23.
Not a surprise since Yost and Kyle created the Wolverine clone.
Perhaps that is why I have been so disappointed by it. I expected a series about Wolverine leading a cunning team of professionals. Not a series about an emotionally-stunted killing machine coming to grips with the world around her.
So if you’ve enjoyed the run so far, this issue does not disappoint.
But if like me, you are waiting for Wolverine to take over the series, keep waiting. It’s more of the same.
From Marvel (preview): “The Purifiers have gathered the most deadly pieces of the X-Men’s past— but their plans are far from over…While Bastion continues to shape the future, Mathew Risman sets in motion an attack that will forever change two of our heroes. If the team can’t stop them from achieving their ultimate goal, mutantkind has little hope of survival.” On sale May 29, 2008.
Uncanny X-Men #498
“Divided We Stand, Part Four”
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Mike Choi
I shall ignore Cyclops and Emma in psychedelic San Francisco and instead focus on Wolverine, Nightcrawler and Colossus being tortured in Russia.
Much more fun.
Again, Brubaker and Choi deliver the goods. Great fight sequences, fun dialogue and a neat little surprise.
This is the Wolverine I like.
From Marvel (preview): “Cyclops and Emma Frost are trapped in far-out San Francisco – a city that looks and feels likes it’s the summer of ‘69. But there’s nothing groovy about this trip. Unless they can find the source of the strange transformation, Angel may lose his sanity – along with eight million other people. Meanwhile, Wolverine, Colossus and Nightcrawler face a red menace deep in the heart of Mother Russia.” On sale May 28, 2008.
Wolverine: First Class #3
“The Last Knights of Wundagore, Part One”
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: Salva Espin
I really like this series.
It is respectful of the X-Men chronology circa 1981 and adds its own fun.
My favorite moment is when Wolverine snarls, “YOU KNOW, I’M OFFICIALLY TIRED OF YOU QUESTIONIN’ MY ORDERS EVERY FIVE MINUTES!” Kitty Pryde’s frustrated glower in response is just as priceless.
And the last page cliffhanger sets up for another promising issue.
From Marvel (preview): “Wolverine and Kitty Pryde travel to mysterious Mount Wundagore to seek a cure for Logan’s bestial rages from the High Evolutionary. But they soon discover they are Earth’s last hope against the ravenous hordes of the Evolutionary’s most fearsome creation — the rampaging Man-Beast!” On sale May 29, 2008.
Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1
Writer: Joss Whedon
Artist: John Cassaday
I wanted to love this issue.
But I’ve found that when a much-awaited finale gets delayed (in this case by over three months), my enthusiasm tends to wane and in this case, major spoilers are revealed prematurely by other series that aren’t running quite as late.
So as strong as this finale is (and it is quite good), it does suffer from chronic lateness and the impact of a ‘shock ending’ that is no longer quite as shocking.
Which is a shame. Because if this issue had come out in a more timely fashion, I’m sure I would be babbling on about how great it was.
Instead, I was left somewhat disappointed, noticing the flaws more than I normally would.
Still, Joss Whedon manages certain exchanges of dialogue that are absolutely priceless such as those between Agent Brand and Beast, Kitty and Emma, and Wolverine and Armor.
So, a definite keeper. I just wish I got to keep it a few months earlier.
From Marvel (preview): “Too big to be contained in a normal issue, the grand finale of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday’s landmark run is right here! The powerlords of Breakworld bring the fight to Earth. Can the X-Men stop them from destroying the whole planet? Will the Avengers join their fight? What we do know is this: one of the X-Men won’t walk away from this fight.” On sale May 29, 2008.
