Writer: Mike Carey
Artist: Mirco Pierfedrici, Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Carlo Barberi, and Paco Diaz
Cover Artist: Chris Bachalo and Olivier Coipel
Publisher: Marvel
For weeks now the Age of X has been looming in the distant the future, that future is here. From the very beginning of this issue, Mike Carey paints us a very grim picture of a universe without the X-Men. Instead of spending issue after issue setting up the event, this issue starts of in the middle of a war between humans and mutants. Split into four stories, the issue gives us a look into the past while also moving the story forward. The first story, focusing on Scott Summers' past, was arguably the best part of the issue. Having been forced to be the ultimate mutant executioner, Scott has grown to become nothing like the leader we know him to be. The second and third story did not make as big an impact, though I'm sure they will play a bigger role in the future. The final story sets up the basis for the resistance's inception as well as Magneto's role in this war. Overall, I thought that this was a fantastic beginning. There was just enough back story, action, and progress to keep things interesting.
American Vampire #11 ****Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Mateus Santolouco
Cover Artist: Rafael Albuquerque
Publisher: Vertigo
There is really only so many ways for me to express just how great this series is. This last arc focused solely on Pearl, Henrie, and Maddie, the crazy. I think the best part of this arc was witnessing the Pearl and Henrie's relationship. It touched on the idea of turning or not turning Henrie into a vampire, which is something you would expect in a vampire book, but Snyder does is in excellent fashion. In my opinion, I think Pearl and Henrie should just bite the bullet, or the throat in this case, and turn Henrie. The next arc takes us back in time to WWII and I can't wait.
Artifacts #5 ***1/2Writer: Ron Marz
Artist: Whilce Portacio
Cover Artist: John Tyler Christopher
Publisher: Top Cow
We are now five issues in and the action is just now starting to heat up. For the first four issues, we've seen both sides of good and evil recruit soldiers to the cause. Honestly, in retrospect I'm surprised that they would have four issues dedicated to that. Everywhere I look online reviewers are praising the brilliance of this event and I think that the hype is over inflated. Is it good stuff, yes. And as a reader who is not as knowledgeable with the Top Cow Universe as the DC or Marvel Universe's, I am more than glad they had the issues setting everything up. However, we're almost at the midway point and almost nothing of note as happened. In this issue Cyberforce and the Hunterkillers were brought in, which is surprising because I had thought they wouldn't be making an appearance. Coerced by the villainess Aphrodite, the team squares off against the heroes, in the next issue. Overall I think it's really good stuff, great for new readers, but overall not as brilliant as most reviewers are claiming.
Deadpool & Cable #26 ****1/2Writer: Ron Marz
Artist: Duane Swierczynski
Cover Artist: Dave Wilkins
Publisher: Marvel
The small country of Rumekistan has been absent for far too long or at least it has for those of us who know what that place is. This issue was a nice and welcome surprise, considering Cable as been dead more months now. Overall the story was fun, interesting, and truly a nice homage to the series Cable & Deadpool. The art was nice as well, as is to be expected from a Deadpool book. Swierczynski did a great job of capturing Deadpool's personality and voice. Deadpool's relationship with Cable as been rocky, to say the least, so it was nice to see an issue dedicated to their relationship.
X-23 #5 ****Writer: Marjorie Liu
Artist: Will Conrad and Marco Checchetto
Cover Artist(s): Leinil Francis Yu and Jason Keith
Publisher: Marvel
A couple weeks ago my comic book guy recommended this series because of our love for Gambit. Yes, that's right, Gambit is a big part of this series. Laura and Gambit have been brought to a small town run by, Ms. Sinestro. This series is actually quite good. The story is interesting and fun. The direction is pretty good too, as Ms. Sinestro and Sinestro himself haven't been around for a while. The only thing about this series though, is that the art has been inconsistent. Either way, this is a must read for any fans of X-23 and Gambit.
X-Men #7 ***Writer: Victor Gischler
Artist: Chris Bacalo
Cover Artist: Terry Dodson
Publisher: Marvel
This is just me, but why take a completely successful creative team, in both writing and art, and get rid of them for the next arc. I not only don't understand Marvel's decision in doing so, but completely disagree with the decision. Overdone stories of Vampires aside, I thought that first arc was great stuff. And now we have this. The writing, is strange to say the least. The writer seems to strange outlook on the characters of the team, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but only time will tell. The art, well I pretty much hated it. I rarely say things like that, but it was just a huge distraction. The proportions were strange, the overall look weird, and if it's at all possible I preferred when the characters were smaller and with fewer details.
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Jerome Opena
Cover Artist: Esad Ribic
Publisher: Marvel
In contrast, this issue is absolutely fantastic. It's hard being the follow up act to a wildly popular series, but this series is doing a great job. The first arc ends in epic fashion as the team prevents Apocalypse's ship from leaving, sends the Horsemen away, and prevent Apocalypse from rising up once more. With every issue the writers are showing us why each of these characters are an important addition to the team. Unlike the writer for X-Men, Remender seems to have a knowledgeable grasp of these characters. From Deadpool feeding Angel is own flesh, to Warren's internal struggle, to Fantomex's disregard for trivial things, like emotions, these are characters as you would expect to see them. The art has been superb as well in this entire arc.
Writer: Matt Fraction and Kieron Gillen
Artist(s): Greg Land and Jay Leisten
Cover Artist: Greg Land and Justin Ponsor
Publisher: Marvel
It is getting closer and closer to the time when Matt Fraction leaves this series and I for one will miss him. Granted I will admit that the book has been suffering in recent months. On Utopia the mutants are getting sicker and sicker and it is likely that if they don't figure out a way to fix it soon, someone will die. Meanwhile in San Francisco the fake X-Men, rich kids with false powers, are brought in for questioning. This isn't really a bad arc, for the most part. I'm not particularly sure how the Emma story line is going to be tied into the main story, but I do like that the rest of the book is now tying in to each other.
As usual, my DC reviews can be read here: http://comicattack.net/2011/02/coir20211/
Age of X was great and I'm definitely anticipating what's next.
ReplyDeleteAmerican Vampire is so wonderful, so, so wonderful!
Deadpool & Cable was awesome. Deadpool's just the funniest comic book character ever and I thought this was a great read.
I'm loving X-23 and X-force.