Whodunnit?

Avengers The Initiative 6 by Dan Slott and Steve Uy

There were some good bits and bad bits in this issue. In my opinion most of the bad bits come from the fact that there are so many characters in this series - and most of them were new to me. The new artist didn't help matters in this area either.

I wonder how this issue fits in with the latest issue of New Avengers as Tigra features in both in quite different way?

This issue was a reasonable read, but I'm yet to resonate with any of the characters and so can't really care less that Gauntlet has been taken down.

Rating 6.5/10

Y and T Rocks Nuneaton again

13 months after an amazing gig at Queens Hall , Nuneaton, Y&T returned to play yet another great concert. They changed the set list around quite a bit and I think they played

01 Open Fire
02 Hungry For Rock
03 Hard Times
04 Dirty Girl
05 Masters And Slaves
06 Mean Streak
07 I'll Keep On Believin'
08 Straight Thru The Heart
09 This Time
10 Hurricane
11 Midnight In Tokyo
12 Black Tiger
13 I'll Cry For You
14 Eyes Of A Stranger
15 Rescue Me
16 Summertime Girls
17 I Believe In You
18 Forever

The Queens Hall is such a small and intimate venue - I love it. I forecast that this will be a better gig than Sabbath in a fortnight!

The Constant Gardener

I watched this film on Saturday night.

It was certainly a powerful film but he couldn't say that I enjoyed it and would want to watch it again. But, I am pleased that I've watched it.

Good performances by the stars and a powerful message about how the West treats Africa.

October Comic Reviews

I've reviewed some good and bad new comics recently, this bunch were generally OK.

I was slightly disappointed with Fantastic Four #550 by Dwayne McDuffie & Paul Pelletier. Mainly because recent issues have been very good and I didn't feel that this issue was of the same quality. The art was still good but I didn't think that the plot worked in terms of drama and resolution. The villain(s) was a bit faceless and the solution a bit contrived and complicated.

A bit of a let down.

One last point, I'm pleased it was Sue's bum and not Ben's that took prominence on the cover. Not a good effort by Michael Turner and I never like to see Reed stretching his neck.

Rating 6/10



When this story in Mighty Avengers is finished I'm going to have to go back and re-read it. I'm sure that it will make more sense and be generally better overall.

There has been some discussion over on the Comics Should Be Good web site about decompressed storytelling and Bendis in particular. This is a good example of his style.


Frank Cho's art and cover are good points and it's a shame he will be leaving the title soon (but good news for it's frequency!)

Rating 6.5/10 (as a monthly read)




Don't get excited by the cover to New Avengers #34 by Bendis and Yu. This scene does not happen in this issue.

In fact, 90% of the issue focuses on The Hood and his plan to use the chaos that super-heroes are currently finding themselves in to make lots of money. The character of The Hood seems to be slightly different to that of the original in the trade I read just recently. But it's still quite a good issue. Some good dialogue and a nice idea. The only hero that turns up in the issue is Tigra and she doesn't come off too well.

Rating 7/10



I probably didn't need to buy this annual and, if you don't, you won't miss anything vital.

It's quite a good story by a new creative team (to me at least) Gregg Hurwitz and Marcelo Frusin. I particularly liked Frusin's art as it was a good European style.

Rating 6.5/10

Iron Man trailer

I've just seen this on the Comics Can Be Good Website and thought it was cool. Here's the YouTube link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFlwtFx9Fgo

Not Good Comics

Two major comics - two poor efforts!


World War Hulk #4 of 5 by Greg Pak, John Romita Jnr, Klaus Jansen

Lets put aside the art for a minute when considering this comic.

I thought it was crap. There was no explanation (or re-cap) as to how and why a possessed Doc Strange ws battling the Hulk at the beginning. The fight ws awful. Everyone is acting out of character and, well, just everything about the plot and script of this comic annoys me.

I really didn't like it.

I'm a crap reviewer as I just can't be bothered to analyse it any further.

Rating 3/10 (and only that high because of the art)

It's a shame that Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man # 24 by Straczynski and Quesada is nearly as bad.

The story takes too long to get to where it's going (and I don't like where it heading), the plot is not very exciting and I'm not enjoying Quesada's art.

The big question is do I get part 3 which is in Sensational Spider-man # 41. Probably not. I'll just read the conclusion in the next issue of Amazing and hope that when the new creative team(s) start that things will improve.

Rating 3/10

New Captain America and Wolverine

I keep saying the same thing about Ed Brubakers and Steve Epting's Captain America. I think it's very good and will probably be excellent when read in one sitting.

I'm quite happy to get the comics rather than the trades as Epting's covers are ace.

As for the story - things are not going well for Stark and Shield as the Red Skull's plans continue. I've got a feeling that things might get even worse but it's hard to see how after that last scene in issue #31.

Rating 8/10

Both issues #17 and 18 of Wolverine:Origins also feature Cap and Bucky as we are treated to their first meeting with Wolverine.

It's enjoyable but not great or probably essential reading.

Rating 7.5/10

Highway Mini Conclusion

Issues 4 & 5 concluded this mini by writers Marc Barnardin and Adam Freeman and artist Lee Garbett.

I picked-up this series on the basis of good reviews on CBR and whilst it was certainly a good series, I probably could have lived without it. It was high on action, had snappy dialogue and reasonable art but other than the fact that the two main characters were old fogies there was nothing really original about it.

Well executed but ultimately it didn't have the spark which makes it stand out.

The covers were nothing special either, with issue 4's cover (shown above) being one of the best.

Rating 7/10

Waiting For Doctor Octopus

The new comics that I bought on Friday are beckoning and my "to read" pile is now quite large. But before I read them there's a couple more Spidey back issues from 1982 to review.

Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-man #71 by Bill Mantlo and Rick Leonardi was an unusual Marvel comic as it was one with a message. The more guns there are out there in circulation, the more people will be killed.

Mantlo tells the story well enough without being too preachy an Leonardi's art is OK.

The funny thing is that I remembered this issue quite well even though I probably read it for the first time in 1985. That shows it can't have been too bad.

Rating 7/10


Issue # 72 was by the more regular team of Mantlo, Hannigan and Milgrom.

First off - I really like the cover. We expect the Spidey is tangling with Doc Ock, but inside we find out it's one of Doc Ock's biggest fans a schoolboy.

It's an offbeat and funny book which also does a fine job of raising expectations for next issues inevitable meeting with the real Doctor Octopus.

Hannigan's art continues to have a nice Ditko feel to it and that certainly contributes to a good comic.

Rating 7.5/10

The Death Knell of The Tarantula

It was a cracking, if not slightly silly, story in issues 233-236 of The Amazing Spider-man.

I've always liked the Tarantula as a Spidey Villain - probably for nostalgic reasons as much as anything - and it's a shame that he dies at the end of this 4 part epic. Still what a way to go - being transformed into a proper spider and going mad as a consequence.

The story also featured Will-O-The Wisp and the Brand Corporation who have been in the background in a number of stories recently. A number of the plot lines from a number of stories over the last few years (considering this was written in 1982) were tied-up. The Brand Corp were exposed and The Wisp finally got his revenge on the people responsible for making him what he is.

Although the story was pretty action packed, writer Roger Stern, still manages to fit in Pete's personal problems and he meets femme fatale Amy Powell for the first time.

One highlight was the clever way that Stern describes in issue 235 all the shenanigans that Brand have been up to in the past. I reckon that I have most of those issues!

John Romita Jr. drew all 4 parts and he's getting better all the time. Interestingly, his art looks better when not inked by Mooney. Both Dan Green and Frank Giacoia are better suited to his style.

Rating 8/10

New Comics and Music

I came home with the following after a trip to Forbidden Planet Coventry

Powers Vol. 2 26
Wolverine Annual 1
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man 24
Wolverine (2003) 58
Fantastic Four 550
Wolverine:Origins 18
Captain America (2005) 31
Mighty Avengers 5
New Avengers 35
Avengers: The Initiative 6
All Star Batman And Robin 7
Highwaymen 5

But I've also got some a new music DVD with bonus CD - Y&T live from October last year. Not from the gig I went to - but in the same week. I'm going to see them again on 30 Oct so its a timely arrival.

The Return of Cloak and Dagger

Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-man #69 & #70 by Mantlo/Hannigan/Milgrom (from 1982)

These were good issues. Firstly both covers are very good but especially issue 70. The art inside was tip-top too. Hannigan definitely invokes a Ditko flavour and, combined with Al Milgrom on inks, I like his style a lot.

Mantlo's story which not only involves C & D (recently introduced in issue #64), but also a robocop Silvermane and, in the background creating mayhem, The Kingpin, is a good one. He does tend to use a few too many captions, but that could be just reading from todays perspective where they are seldom used.

C & D are not my favourite characters, but I seem to recall that this story is the first in a number where C & D, Silvermane and Kingpin all make trouble for Spidey in one way or another.

Rating 7.5/10

One trip - two trades!

Well I managed to read both trades on my trip to Germany. Both were great. Both were mature titles and both featured characters on the wrong side of the law.

More importantly, both had great dialogue and a good story. Both thoroughly recommended.

"Coward" by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips was a true crime story. Although the main character was sympathetic there were some really nasty characters in this book. It is a real gritty crime story - far better than "100 Bullets" by DC which I was disappointed with.

Criminal is an on-going title which I'll certainly continue to get as it comes out in collected form.

I probably enjoyed "The Hood" by Brian K. Vaughan and Kyle Hotz slightly more as it was set in the Marvel Universe and it was funny to see characters like Jack O' Lantern and The Shocker treated in an adult way.

I enjoyed this so much that I managed to read parts 1-5 straight through on the plane back to the UK. Pretty amazing for me. I read the 6th and final part when I got home.

This book had slightly more laughs and snappy dialogue than Criminal but this was clearly a super-hero comic, even if it was one with a twist.

Trip to Germany

No more blogs for a few days as I'm in Germany with work.

I am taking a couple of trade paperbacks to read when travelling so hopefully there will be something to review when I get back.

When A Cobra Comes Calling

Amazing Spider-man issues 231 and 232 was yet another excellent two-part story by Stern, Romita Jr. and Mooney.

Stern again features the Cobra who was last seen in PPSM #46 and this time Spidey also has to tackle Cobra's partner the gruesome Mr Hyde.

Again the characterisation of the villains adds a great deal to this story. We actually see the Cobra relaxing in his hideout before Mr Hyde looking for revenge on his partner for leaving him for dead.

There is also a more than usual dollop of soap opera with the supporting cast and in this issue includes Ned Leeds, Betty, Dr. Marla Madison and Deb Whitman. It's also worth noting that the co-ordination between the two main Spidey titles has improved a great deal at this point. References are made to both Pete giving up his teaching assistant role and Deb suspecting that he's Spidey. As these have only just occurred in PPSM it's nice to see and make you believe that you are reading about the same character.

As usual with Stern the action scenes are entertaining and, of course, the whole thing is well drawn by JR JR.

Rating 8.5/10

Mixed Mantlo Spidey Stories

Two issues of Spectacular Spider-man to review tonight. These appear to demonstrate why Bill Mantlo never became a big fan favourite.

Issue # 67 with art by Ed Hannigan and Al Milgrom was a great issue.

Lots of things happen in Pete's life, Boomerang makes a great villain, the epic war with the Kingpin begins slowly and the action scenes are entertaining.

Nothing to complain about at all. In fact, Hannigan and Milgrom put in a good art job and make this a well above average issue.

Rating 8/10

But Mantlo can't seem to maintain any consistency.



The best thing about issue #68 was the cover - which is a really nice one by Hannigan and Milgrom again.

Although the interior art in this issue by Luke McDonnell and Jim Mooney can't be blamed for the poor comic, it's only an average job.

However, I found the story really silly. From the daft villain, to Pete jumping to the wrong conclusions yet again and the Foreign Secret Agents it was all rather dull and silly.

The only good bit was that Deb Whitman begins to suspect Pete's secret identity.

How can Mantlo produce such contrasting issues is beyond me. Not a great on in the run.

Rating 5/10

Nothing Can Stop The Juggernaut

Amazing Spider-man #229 & #230 by Stern/ Romita Jr./ Mooney

This is another fantastic 2 parter by this creative team.

Spidey comes face to face with Juggernaut and soon discovers that he's (almost) impossible to stop. After failing to stop the Juggernaut from getting to Madame Web he vows to stop him getting away.

There's not much to add as the story and art are top notch.

Rating 9/10 for both.

Electro!

Amazing Spider-man #228 (May 1982) ws a fill-in issue by Jan Strnad and Rick Leonardi.

As fill issues go it was one of the better ones certainly helped by a better than normal art job by Leonardi. Perhaps it was Dave Simons' inks that raised the standard. The art certainly created the mood of this offbeat tale. (The cover was right for once!)

And as the cover states it was an unusual tale of Murders being carried out by thousands of Spiders. Of course, of hero, gets involved, to sort things out.

I enjoyed this, but am looking forward to more Stern/JR. Jr. work next issue!

Rating 7/10

Spectacular Spider-man #66 was by Mantlo, Hannigan and Mooney.

This was a good issue as Electro goes a bit mad after escaping from Ryker's Island. There was some nice touches with Jonah reminiscent of early Amazing issues and Hannigan's art had a bit of early Ditko feel to it as well this issue.

A great cover - one of my favourites on this title for quite some time.

Rating 7/10. So not a bad month for Spidey comics back in 1982.

Cloak and Dagger

Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-man #64 by Mantlo/Hannigan/Mooney

Cloak and Dagger are two of Mantlo's most successful creations. They went on to have their own series and everything. This was their first appearance and I can't believe that I haven't read it before.

They are certainly original characters, very dark and purposeful in their attitude. Mantlo does a nice job in detailing their motivations and background. He also never really states clearly whether they are bad guys or not. There are certainly worse depicted but C & D do end up killing them - despite Spidey's protests.

In my opinion, C & D have always been reasonable supporting characters and it was good to read their origin at last.

Hannigan's art seemed quite inspired on this particular occasion and, I don't know if he did the cover or not, but it's really good.

Rating 8/10


Issue 65 by Mantlo and Hall was not so good. Mainly because it featured Kraven and his stories can be hit or miss. This is certainly more of a miss.

He does defeat Spidey but with the help of his girlfriend Calypso- so it's not good enough for a man with his pride or ego.

The most interesting bit about this issue was the soap opera bit concerning Pete's love life. Marcy Kane?!

Not bad but certainly not great. Don't like that cover either.

Rating 6/10

The Black Cat Came Back

Amazing Spider-man # 226 and 227 by Roger Stern and John Romita Jr

I love these issues. Stern takes the Black Cat and really makes something of her. The potential was hinted at in the previous stories but Stern (again) takes the time to develop the villain and shows that, although she's attracted to Spidey, she finds it difficult to give up her life of crime.

Pete shows his character of always giving a person the benefit of the doubt and gives her a chance and the last two panels in #226 where he eventually gives in and kisses the Cat just show he's "human".

But of course, this being the Amazing Spider-man, things can't last or go smoothly.

The Black Cat decides that if she can't give up a life of crime because it's so exciting then, as Spidey is already considered a masked menace, then he could join her. Pete can't go for that and they fight as Pete tries to get the Cat to turn herself in. Tragedy strikes as the Cat falls into the East River after being webbed up and a wounded Spidey couldn't save her.

One of the main reasons I loved this issue, besides the great script and art, is the feeling that something major is happening in Spidey's life. This is a story that means something and will have repercussions.

In in all, top stuff. Rating 9/10

Comics On TV

BBC4 have just finished showing a number of comic related programmes as part of a Comics Britannia season.

The Search For Steve Ditko.

To be honest, I didn't learn very much. The main thing that I picked-up about Ditko himself was how right wing his politics were. Mr A was a new character to me.

The other things I learnt were how to pronounce everybody's name. Hmmm...not quite as I thought for some. I also learnt that Alan Moore has go very strange tastes when it comes to jewellery. You couldn't miss all those rings and other strange devices on his hands. Bizarre!

I quite enjoyed it as it was nice to see a TV documentary on the creation of my favourite character. All those Spidey covers (many of which I own) were cool.

I enjoyed the art in Moebius documentary and he seems far more level headed than some of the other creators interviewed on some of these programmes. Mind you some of the other geezers they interviewed were a bit mad. I hadn't realised that he'd done the set and costume design for Alien. Obvious really when you look at it.

On the three part Comics Britannia documentary itself.

The first two were alright – but as they were looking at the Beano, Dandy etc and war and girls comics in the 1950’s

I agree that there was a bit too much Viz on Comics Britannia which looked at British comics since the 1970’s. The highlight was certainly Alan Moore reading Watchmen. It somehow was really good and really bad at the same time. Nice voice though! (I will have to re-read Watchmen soon.)

In conclusion, thanks to BBC for these. Most of the programmes were probably only watched by fans – but it was nice to see some serious discussion of this form of entertainment for once.