It’s coming! Well technically it’s already here. But the time we all look forward to has finally arrived.  No, I’m not talking about the annual Marvel comic crossover event. I’m talking about the start of a new Major League Baseball season. So to celebrate both the return of baseball, and the start of AvX, my intros will feature a theme, much like my Fear Itself reviews last summer. With a title like Avengers vs. X-Men, it only makes sense to treat this like a baseball game, and we all know mutants love baseball. So I’m going to keep score and assign positions to some of the classic members of the Avengers and X-Men and share the results with you all here. Please feel free to let me know your opinion on which heroes would best fill out your baseball line-up.

Position: Since this is a prologue, I won’t assign an actual position yet, saving that for the main event. But we can use this time to discuss the x-factors in a baseball game. Blown calls by the umpires; a bird in mid-flight being struck by a baseball; fan interference on and off the field, these are all variables in a game of baseball you can’t control. And depending on who you’re rooting for, these random happenings can change your mood and the tide of the game. So who better to represent these unknowns than two of the biggest question marks on both teams: Scarlet Witch and Hope (the Phoenix Force). What role will these two characters play in the event? Will Scarlet Witch undo her “no more mutants” hex, or will Hope somehow reignite the X-gene in all depowered mutants? Will one of these characters have to die for the greater good? Only time will tell how these wildcards will affect our game.

Avengers vs. X-Men #0

The Front Office

Writers: Brian Michael Bendis (Scarlet Witch) & Jason Aaron (Hope)
Artist: Frank Cho
Color Art: Jason Keith
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover Art: Frank Cho & Jason Keith
Variant Cover Art: Stephanie Hans

Preseason Summary: The Wakandian Ambassador’s motorcade is proceeding through the streets of Washington, DC. It transports former A.I.M. scientist, Dr. Udaku. M.O.D.O.K. attacks the caravan of vehicles, attempting to exact revenge against the A.I.M. defector. M.O.D.O.K.’s guns misfire, and he is shocked when he is confronted by Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch. Ms. Marvel and Spider-Woman arrive on the scene to assist their former teammate and friend, Wanda. The three heroes take down M.O.D.O.K.’s A.I.M. squad and Ms. Marvel invites the Scarlet Witch back to Avengers Mansion. (more…)

What a place for an ending, huh? It’s like that movie ‘Goldeneye’! I decided to go back to the Cable Guy theme for the ending of this mini-series. But we should all know this isn’t so much an ending, as it is a beginning to the next great Marvel event, Avengers vs. X-Men. This is my first of two reviews leading up to the big event starting Wednesday. And something sort of relevant and important actually happens in this issue, too, so this mini isn’t a complete waste. But is it enough to warrant a four-part build up to AvX? Find out below. 

Avengers: X-Sanction #4

“Sundown”

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ed McGuinness
Inker: Dexter Vines
Colorist: Morry Hollowell
Letterer: Comiccraft’s A. Deschesne
Cover Art: McGuinness, Vines & Hollowell

Variant Cover Art: Steve Skroce & Richard Isanove; Leinil Yu, Gerry Alanguilan & Jason Keith

Plot: Wolverine and Spider-Man are the last two Avengers standing watch after the fight with the Lethal Legion. When the New Avengers arrive, Wolverine assigns his teammates to clean-up duty so he and Spider-Man can find the missing Avengers. During their search, Wolverine asks Spider-Man about his penchant for playing the clown, and warns him that the guy they’re going to face doesn’t mess around. The two arrive at Blaquesmith’s freighter, where Wolverine immediately goes after Cable. (more…)

 Once again I was teased with Symbiotic Zoo Animals and no delivery. It seems very unlikely we’ll get them in the final issue, but did the rest of this issue deliver? 

Carnage USA #4: Oh Say Can You Scream

Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Clayton Crain
Letter: Clayton Cowles
Editors: Stephen Wacker & Tom Brennan 

(more…)

Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, and what a lovely Sunday Wednesday morning it is folks. Gather round around as Pastor Carnage preaches the good word of the one who will make us whole, the word of the Symbiote. Let the anger consume you, let it crawl right over your flesh, become one with it. Because where we’re going, there be no hope. There be no love. There is only darkness…. Only Sacrifice.

Carnage USA #3

Preacher: Zeb Wells

Communion: Clayton Crain

Organ: VC’s Clayton Cowles

The Vatican: Tom Brennan

Pope: Stephen Wacker

(more…)

Ruh-Roh. I’m breaking the Cable Guy theme I was using for these reviews to use a Scooby-Doo reference. It’s just that the name “Rulk” sounds like something Scooby would say. And I use that name plenty in this review as Red Hulk comes to the rescue of Captain America, Iron Man and Falcon. But who will come to Cable’s rescue? Who cares about any of that though? We get appearances by Spider-Man and the leader of mutant-kind himself. No, not Wolverine. Cable’s daddy, Cyclops. Read on as things begin to pick up for the upcoming Avengers vs. X-Men event.

Avengers: X-Sanction #3

“Noon”

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ed McGuinness
Inker: Dexter Vines
Colorist: Morry Hollowell
Letterer: Comiccraft’s A. Deschesne
Cover Art: McGuinness, Vines & Hollowell

Variant Cover Art: Ian Churchill & Morry Hollowell; Leinil Yu, Gerry Alanguilan & Jason Keith

Plot: Red Hulk has Cable pinned down at gunpoint in the freighter where the Avengers are being held captive. The mutant’s Techno-Organic Virus is raging out of control in his body. Cable is rescued by his companion Blaquesmith, who attacks Rulk with a modified bo-staff. Blaquesmith dances away from Rulk’s attacks long enough to allow Cable a chance to recover. Cable shoots his opponent with a large gun which sends Rulk flying out of the freighter.

(more…)

Carnage USA #2

A city lost to a murderous sociopath with symbiotic control of it’s inhabitants? What’s the game plan for this scenario? BOMB THE HELL OUT OF THAT TOWN

Fine, Plan B… Send in the Specialists.

Team Leader: Zeb Wells

MVP: Clayton Crain

Tech Support: Clayton Cowles

HQ: Tom Brennan

Man in Charge: Stephen Wacker

(more…)

Down, down, down. Red knight goin’ down. In this case a red and gold knight. Iron Man is the next Avenger on Cable’s hit list and Cable’s got a trick or two up his sleeve. In a battle of two characters I personally could not care less about, who will come out on top? Do I care? Of course I care, I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t care at least a little, right? So here’s a review, don’t forget to show that you care. Here is a comment card. Please mail it in when I am done.

Avengers: X-Sanction #2

“Dawn”

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ed McGuinness
Inker: Dexter Vines
Colorist: Morry Hollowell
Letterer: Comiccraft’s A. Deschesne
Cover Art: McGuinness, Vines & Hollowell

Variant Cover Art: Yu, Alanguilan & Keith

Plot: The battle between the Avengers and the Lethal Legion continues to rage in the streets of New York City. Iron Man subdues the Living Laser and, after noticing that Captain America and Falcon are missing, leaves the scene to find his teammates. Falcon’s bird Redwing leads Iron Man to the freighter ship where Cable is keeping Captain America and Falcon hostage. Cable ambushes Iron Man and the two engage in battle. (more…)

Interesting Tid-Bit: Be sure to catch Iron Fist along with Dr. Strange, Namor, Silver Surfer, and Red She-Hulk in the new ongoing ‘Defenders.’

Spider-Island: Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #3

Conclusion: The Zen of Spiders

Writer: Antony Johnston

Penciler: Sebastian Fiumara and Leandro Fernandez

Inker: John Lucas

Colorist: Dan Brown (more…)

It appears that we’re going to do battle, Steven. They say free cable is the ultimate aphrodisiac. Maybe not, I’m just borrowing lines from the classic Jim Carrey flick, Cable Guy. And since I don’t really care for the mutant known as Cable, you can fully expect all my little intro paragraphs for this four-part mini to quote that Ben Stiller-directed film. So without further ado, I present to you the first part of Avengers X-Sanction, the lead-in title to next year’s Avengers vs. X-Men event. Enjoy!

“Midnight”

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ed McGuinness
Inker: Dexter Vines
Colorist: Morry Hollowell
Letterer: Comiccraft’s A. Deschesne
Cover Art: McGuinness, Vines & Hollowell

Variant Cover Art: McGuinness, Vines & Hollowell; Quesada, Miki & Isanove; Yu, Alanguilan & Keith

Plot: The team of super villains known as the Lethal Legion has escaped from a prison convoy and is pursued by Captain America, Falcon, Red Hulk, Spider-Man and Wolverine. The heroes dispatch the convicts but Falcon is shot down from the sky by a mysterious assailant. The shooter is revealed to be Cable, who then drags the wounded hero into the sewers. (more…)

The Carnage symbiote has found its way to ensnare me into reviewing its book once more (or maybe it’s just Brad?). We now return to the story of Cletus Kasady’s return and how he plans on wreaking havoc across the United States. Can the Avengers stop Kasady before a small town falls under his mass-murdering control? COMMENT OR CARNAGE WILL RIP YOU TO SHREDS!!
Whoa, I didn’t say that…

Carnage USA – Part One: This Land Is My Land

Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Clayton Crain
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover: Clayton Crain
Variant: Ramos, Faucher & Delgado
(more…)

The final issue of the Spider-Girl saga… again.

Spider-Island: The Amazing Spider-Girl #3

“The Devil You Don’t”

Writer: Paul Tobin
Artists: Pepe Larraz
Colorist: Andres Mossa
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Cover Artists: Ale Garza & Andres Mossa

***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD*** (more…)

Interesting Tid-Bit: Ai Apaec, AKA Paeces, AKA Aia Ai Apaec, AKA The Decapitator, is the protector of the Moche, provider of water, food, and victory in battle. He usually appeared as a young, muscular man with large fangs wearing a Jaguar headdress, snake head earrings, and a double headed snake as a belt.  He holds a blood covered Half moon shaped blade in one hand, and the severed head of his latest foe, or sacrifice, in the other.

Spider-Island: Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #2

Part 2: The Web of Deceit

Writer: Antony Johnston

Penciler: Sebastian Fiumara and Leandro Fernandez

Inker: John Lucas

Colorist: Dan Brown

(more…)

The Last two issues of Cloak and Dagger were amazing, and they both got a 5/5 from me. Will this issue live up to my  expectation? Read on and find out, and, for the love of God, leave comments. They are the life blood I feed on. 

Cloak and Dagger 3

Writer- Nick Spencer

Pencils- Emma Rios

Inks- Emma Rios and Alvaro Lopez

Colors- Javier Rodriguez

Editor- Stephen Wacker (more…)

Personal Fear #7 – Monsters, martians, murderers, oh my. So if you haven’t gathered from the first six entries, I’m pretty much afraid of everything. In fact, afraid of so many things that it’s hard to just pick seven. So this last one pretty much encompasses my fear of the unknown. Sure it may sound far fetched to some, but when that day comes when the alien spaceship appears in our skyline, or a giant monster starts destroying skyscrapers, I won’t look so crazy then, will I? Hey, it could happen. But even more realistic unknown quantities such as a stranger breaking into my apartment or car jacking me has haunted my dreams since I was young. It’s a scary world out there, I don’t know how I manage to leave my apartment every day for work.

Fear Itself 7: Thor’s Day

Writer: Matt Fraction

Art: Stuart Immonen
Inks: Wade Von Grawbadger with Dexter Vines
Colors: Laura Martin with Justin Ponsor and Matt Milla
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover Art and Alternate Covers: Steve McNiven, Stuart Immonen and Billy Tan

Plot: The Serpent and his minions approach the World Tree outside of Broxton, Oklahoma. Captain America stands his ground, guns raised, and takes down the Serpent’s Nazi battle tanks and followers. In the ruins of the fallen Asgard, the remaining Avengers are greeted by Iron Man and Thor. Tony Stark presents several of the Avengers with the Asgardian weapons he forged. The Serpent continues to grow in strength as Stark’s Mighty Avengers storm the battlefield and join Captain America with their powerful new weapons. (more…)

Cloak and Dagger 2

Writer- Nick Spencer

Art- Emma Rios

Colors-Javier Rodriguez

(more…)

Straight-up Boring Tidbit: I was curious as to what the title of this issue was alluding. A quick Google search pointed me to an Alice Cooper song titled “I Am the Spider” from his 2008 album Along Came a Spider. This is a brief excerpt:

Along came a Spider
Crept up beside her
Spun his web deep inside her
My darkness will guide her

What does it all mean? I have no clue. Listening to the stupid thing the one time was disturbing enough, so I’ll let someone with a better sense for these things do a more in-depth analysis.

Moving on…

Spider-Island: The Amazing Spider-Girl #2

“And Crept Up Beside Her…”

Writer: Paul Tobin
Artists: Pepe Larraz
Colorist: Andres Mossa
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Cover Artists: Patrick Zircher & Andy Troy

***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD*** (more…)

Straight-up Boring Tidbit: There seems to be some confusion about the actual title of this issue. The cover itself and checklists call it “Spider-Island: Spider-Girl”, yet solicitations and publishing info refer to it as “Spider-Island: The Amazing Spider-Girl.” I’m using the latter for the lulz.

Spider-Island: The Amazing Spider-Girl #1

“Class Warfare”

Writer: Paul Tobin
Artists: Pepe Larraz
Colorist: Andres Mossa
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Cover Artists: Patrick Zircher & Andy Troy

***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD*** (more…)

The Basics

Phil Urich dons his Hobgoblin costume and puts his plan into winning Norah Winters heart into high gear. He decides that the easiest way to beat the competition is to actually murder the competition. While Hobgoblin openly attacks Norah’s boyfriend Randy Robertson, it becomes apparent that Norah’s true love isn’t either men, but rather journalism itself. Randy’s new spider powers are able to subdue the Hobgoblin, but he dumps Norah in disgust. Phil shows up in his civilian guise and gets a kiss from Norah.

In the second story we see the Jackal greet the newly revived Kaine aka Tarantula. A degenerating Gwen clone comes from revenge, is Jackal is saved by a mysterious female who has control over spider beings.

(more…)

Interesting Tid-Bit: Have you read Brian Michael Bendis’s Spider-Woman run?  If you have not, I beg you to give it a chance!  It is wonderful and made a Spider-Woman fan out of me!

Spider-Island: Spider-Woman

Writer: Fred Van Lente

Penciler: Giuseppe Camuncoli

Inker: Klaus Janson

Colorist: Frank D’Armata

  (more…)

Personal Fear #6 – Flying. As in flying in an airplane. Flying like Thor, or Magneto or Storm would be very cool. But sitting in a heavy, large, metal box does not make sense to me. And then once you get up there, there’s no getting out of it. It’s not like you can pull over to the side of the road or anything. Sitting in such confined quarters with all those other random people for a couple of hours is not my idea of fun either. I don’t care if flying has physics or years of scientific study on its side to support it, all it takes is one gremlin on that plane wing to ruin your day.      

Fear Itself 6: Blood-Tied & Doomed

Writer: Matt Fraction

Art: Stuart Immonen
Inks: Wade Von Grawbadger
Colors: Laura Martin
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover Art and Alternate Covers: Stuart Immonen, Mike McKone, Steve McNiven, Humberto Ramos, Ed McGuinness (variant covers are a new personal fear after tracking down all of these)

Plot: Thor, the Asgardian Avenger, is out of commission following his throw-down with the Serpent’s minions, Nul and Angrir. Captain America and his teammates carry the thunder god through the debris of New York towards the rubble of Avengers Tower and Heimdall’s Observatory, a portal to Asgard. A crowd has gathered and watches the heroes. Captain America, is afraid that the onlookers will assume the Avengers are retreating, but Luke Cage offers to stay behind and evacuate New York City with his team of New Avengers. (more…)

Interesting Tid-Bit: Shang-Chi first appeared in Special Marvel Edition #15.  Shang-Chi is an amalgamation of Sax Rohmer’s pulp novel villain Dr. Fu Manchu and the Kung Fu television program.  He has no special superpowers, but he exhibits extraordinary skills in the martial arts and is a master of Wushu (a general name for the various Chinese styles) both empty handed and with weapons, including the staff, nunchaku and double-edged sword.

Spider-Island: Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1

Part 1: Deadlier Than the Male

Writer: Antony Johnston

Penciler: Sebastian Fiumara

Inker: John Lucas

Colorist: Dan Brown (more…)

This is it, the final issue of the weekly miniseries Ultimate Fallout. Was it as good as what people have been saying about it? Will fans of the Ultimate Universe be satisfied with the ending? Who leaves, who stays and who blames themselves for Peter’s death? What are you waiting for, read the review and find out!

Ultimate Fallout #6

Writers: Brian Michael Bendis, Nick Spencer & Jonathan Hickman
Artists: Mark Bagley, Eric Nguyen & Mitch Breitweiser
Inker: Andy Lanning
Colorists: Paul Mounts & Mitch Breitweiser with Bettie Breitweiser
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover: Bryan Hitch, Paul Neary & Paul Mounts

Story: Aunt May & Gwen Stacy – Bendis, Bagley, Lanning & Mounts
Aunt May is in Peter’s bedroom when she wakes up, holding his Spider-Man costume before getting out of bed to see dozens of people standing outside of her home. (more…)

Personal Fear #5 – The infinite, emptiness of space. It’s awful and just goes on, and on, and on. (Like my writing.) I think it would be really cool to see Earth from the outer space perspective, but what that requires is just too much for me to handle. Why, and how, is our Earth just sitting here floating in this vast, vacuum of nothingness. And what about the aliens out there that are mastering the ways of light speed so they can invade our planet? What about Galactus!?

Fear Itself 5: Brawl

Writer: Matt Fraction

Art: Stuart Immonen
Inks: Wade Von Grawbadger
Colors: Laura Martin & Milla Molinar
Letters: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover Art: Steve McNiven

Alternate Covers: Stuart Immonen; Billy Tan

Plot: Thor is engaged in a battle with the duo of Hulk and Thing, who have been possessed by the powers of Nul, Breaker of Worlds and Angrir, Breaker of Souls, respectively. The violent hammer strikes of their fight echo throughout the destroyed city. Sin stands triumphantly over Captain America’s team of Avengers and proclaims that the Serpent’s Worthy are killing the Odinson. (more…)

Wait, where’s the review for Ultimate Fallout #5? Well with balancing my life between family, friends, prepping for my classes in the coming fall and trying to have some spare time as your misunderstood web slinging reviewer… it’s taken a lot of energy out of me. But here I am, sitting at my computer typing up this review while trying to think up a good way to connect my busy life to this issue. Well for starters Pietro does deal with a family reunion of sorts near the end of this issue (Don’t think Ultimates 3, don’t think Ultimates 3… God, why did I think of Ultimates 3?!). Let’s get on with the review already!

Ultimate Fallout #5

Writers: Nick Spencer & Jonathan Hickman
Artists: Luke Ross & Billy Tan
Colorists: Jason Keith & Guru eFx
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover: Adam Kubert & Justin Ponsor

Story: Quicksilver – Spencer, Ross & Keith
Basically in quick sum up form, Quicksilver intends on gathering up as many mutants as he can, enslave them and then sell them; or their services; to the highest bidder. (more…)

Cloak and Dagger #1

Writer- Nick Spencer

Art- Emma Rios

Colors- Javier Rodriguez

First, let me say that I hope you all buy this comic. If the world could have a successful Cloak and Dagger series, that could unite the races. No more white and black tensions, the Israeli’s and Palestinian’s could share the land, etc. I think $2.99 plus tax is a small price to pay for that.

(more…)

“Whenever an era dies, another era begins”. That seems to be the case in this issue. People almost everywhere seem to be talking the big topic: the new Ultimate Spider-Man. This is the issue readers have been looking forward to the most, but did it deliver? All this plus: Reed Richards is alive? And what’s the big secret about mutants that everyone is about to find out? Well read the review to find out and comment below! Commenting will make me happy! (Damn, I almost sound like CrazyChris…)

Ultimate Fallout #4

Writers: Brian Michael Bendis, Jonathan Hickman & Nick Spencer
Artists: Sara Pichelli, Salvador Larroca & Clayton Crain
Colorists: Justin Ponsor & Frank D’Armata
Letterers: VC’s Cory Petit & Clayton Cowles
Cover: Mark Bagley, Andy Lanning & Justin Ponsor

Story: Spider-Man – Bendis, Pichelli & Ponsor
A random man is being beaten down by the Kangaroo until suddenly the new Spider-Man arrives on the scene. The two of them duke it out but the new webslinger doesn’t exactly fare well as he’s thrown into a pizza diner. During the battle people are commenting that his costume is in bad taste (due to the original Spidey recently dying of course). After managing to luckily beat Kangaroo, the new Spidey wall crawls up a building, leaving people questioning how Spider-Man is alive. (more…)

Hey there wall crawlers, Nathaniel here to give you the low down on Ultimate Fallout. What did Tony Stark inherit after his brother’s death? Can Jean Gr – er, I mean Karen Grant, control the Hulk? And what is the fate of the “Amazing Friends” now that Peter is no longer with us? All this and other… stuff.

Ultimate Fallout #3

Writers: Jonathan Hickman & Nick Spencer
Artists: Steve Kurth, Eric Nguyen & Carlo Pagulayan
Inkers: Jay Leisten & Jason Paz
Colorists: Antonio Fabela & Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterers: VC’s Cory Petit & Clayton Cowles
Cover: Andy Kubert & Frank Martin

Story: Tony Stark – Hickman, Kurth, Leisten & Fabela
While attending Peter’s funeral, Tony has a flashback to four days ago when he was at Gregory Stark’s funeral service. (more…)

Fear Itself Spider-Man 3

Writing-Chris Yost

Art-Mike McKone

Colors-Jeremy Cox (more…)

Fear Itself: Spider-Man

Writer-Chris Yost

Art-Mike Mckone

Colors-Jeremy Cox

(more…)

What’s up web slingers, long time no see? Last time in Ultimate Fallout we saw Steve Rogers telling Aunt May that he’s to blame for her nephew’s death. Did she take that kind of news kindly? Well by now you know that answer so I’ll just say, “no, she doesn’t.” That plus Rogue and Thor look at death in their own perspectives (or do I mean Chris Hemsworth?) Don’t know what I’m talking about? Well, click that more tag and read the review.

Ultimate Fallout #2

Writers: Brian Michael Bendis, Jonathan Hickman & Nick Spencer
Artists: Gabriel Hardman, Bryan Hitch & Lee Garbett
Inkers: Paul Neary & Roger Bonet
Colorists: Frank Martin, Paul Mounts & Guru eFX
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover: Bryan Hitch, Paul Neary & Paul Mounts

Story: Captain America – Bendis, Hardman & Martin
Aunt May doesn’t take what Steve Rogers told her too kindly and asks him why it’s his fault that Peter is dead. Steve says that he told Peter that he wasn’t ready to be a hero, that he was a child and that he hadn’t earned the right to wear the uniform yet and then tells her about the gun shot that was intended for him but instead Peter took it instead. (more…)