What I bought on 22 Nov 2007

There were quite a few comics waiting for me in my box at Forbidden Planet this week even though it was only a couple of weeks since my last visit.

I'm waiting to read Powers #27, Wolverine #59 with other issues in the respective story arcs as I'm guessing they will be more enjoyable that way.

I also bought Grendel: Behold The Devil which I'll review separately. But for the moment I thought I'd get straight to it and review my latest Marvels.


Now I know I should read all the issues of each Captain America storyarc in one sitting as well, but it's so good, I can't wait.

This issue was by the regular team of Brubaker and Epting with Jackson Guice on inks. The art does look great and I attribute some of that to the colourist. The cover is nice as well.

The story is up to the usual high standards. I'd like to know how Bucky manages to resist Dr. Faustus' mind control but it's a minor quibble and I've sufficient faith in Brubaker to explain things. What I most like able the plot is the interaction of all the many characters in the story. Each get their own time in the spotlight but the complicated storyline does move along at a good pace.

Rating 8/10


She-Hulk # 23 by Peter David and Shawn Moll.

It's not as good as Dan Slott but it's not bad. A surprise reveal at the end of the issue certainly makes things interesting enough to hang around and see what develops and Peter David's characterisation of Jennifer is fine.

Shawn Moll's art is good too - very reminiscent of Gary Frank to my eyes.

Rating 7.5/10



This issue of New Avengers is an improvement on previous issues as quite a lot happened. In fact the whole Venom virus thing was very bizzare and I assume all will be clearer after reading Mighty Avengers when it ever comes out.

The Skrull invasion is the main topic of conversation in this issue and Bendis is certainly making the situation tense by constantly reminding us readers that anybody could be a Skrull. All the characters are certainly jumpy.

Bendis does what he does best with the dialogue but I'm still not convinced by Leinil Yu even though he gets to draw most of the female Avengers in their underwear in this issue.

Rating 7/10


Avengers: The Initiative #7 was by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli.

It featured what could be quite a major event for Spider-man and as Dan is taking over the book in the near future, I'm hoping that it will explored. Will the actions of the Scarlet Spiders result in Pete getting a normal life back?

I quite enjoyed the story and, of course, the above event was interesting but my overall enjoyment of the issue was affected by, in my opinion, poor art by Caselli. I had difficulty following exactly what was going on which it never a good sign.

This title also suffers from it's very large cast. There are still characters in it who I don't recognise if they have been introduced. I would like to see more a more focused cast in future.

Rating 6/10





Oh dear.

I thought both of these issuing were shockingly bad. Especially Hulk #111 by Greg Pak, Jeff Parker and Leonard Kirk.

Everything was wrong with it. This book is now officially dropped until Pak is no longer writing it and a decent artist takes the assignment on a regular basis.

The only thing I liked about the outcome of World War Hulk #5 was that it looks like the end of the Sentry who has been quite a boring character for some time now. What has always bothered me about him is how powerful he is. Way too powerful.

The overall story was poor, the dialogue and characterisation crap and it was such a waste of John Romita's art talents.

For some reason WWH has had good reviews. I think this has been a bit of a case of the "Emperor's new clothes" but it's certainly hasn't worked for me.

If I want to read the Hulk again in the future I'll just pick-out some of Peter David's issues out of my collection.



Rating 2/10