More Atomic Robo and a Marvel/DC crossover??

Two new purchases to report.

Firstly, volume 3 in the softcover Atomic Robo omnibus collections. It's nice to have these but it's a shame that they are not hardcover collections like the recent Kickstarter. The postage was wayyy too expensive on that one so these will have to do.

This is the last omnibus for now and I really am looking forward to reading them.

I have read the Batman and Captain America Elseworlds crossover story by John Byrne. Set during WW2 it's a good read. I picked this up via ebay for £5 after a nice review on Bronze Age Babies as I don't usually go for this sort of thing. I'm pleased I did this time.

Pre-orders arriving at last

Some of these I've had on pre-order for months but one ot two were last minute purchases.

Most of these are continuations of series I'm already collecting but Damage Control was a 1980s series which got good reviews and sounded fun. So I've taken a chance on that when the price dropped on Amazon.

I really need to get on with reading some stuff!

Captain America Epic Collection Society of Serpents

I love the value of these Epic Collections. This cost £15.25 and reprints Captain America (1968) 302-317 & material from Marvel Fanfare (1982) all in colour. So more comics and cheaper than a masterworks. Just it isn't in hardcover...but you do get the extras which are now included in the masterworks collections.

If I was just starting to buy collected material this would be the format I'd go for.

At least with Cap I've not got many of the original comics so this and the previous collection are welcome additions!

X-Men Masterworks and Epic Cap

With this purchase I've completed my (somewhat eclectic) collection of X-Men Masterworks. Just really DD to concentrate on now to have the silver age runs that I want. I would like Doc Strange, vol 4 of Hulk and maybe Warlock and Captain Marvel if the opportunity arises.

The Epic Collection format  is a really nice package. Better than Essentials as it's in colour but still with plenty of pages. This one I've just bought was just shy of 500 pages and collected
CAPTAIN AMERICA (1968) 247-266, ANNUAL 5, (CAPTAIN AMERICA EPIC COLLECTION VOL. 9) so is nearly as packed as an Essential volume.

Now of course I've already got most of the material in these collections but for title like Cap or Thor this is an excellent way to get stuff I've not got at an affordable price.

Saying all that, some of comics in this particular one I did have! This volume reprints comics I already had in the "War and Remembrance" trade by Stern and Byrne. Those are brilliant comics and that old trade could make a good gift or an introduction to Cap for my 10 year old.

Two More Masterworks - Cap and X-Men

My Masterwork collection has now spilled onto two shelves of my bookcase. But it's nearly complete.

The Cap Masterworks means I've completed that run and I "need" Vols 1 and 4 to complete the X-Men.

Then it's Daredevil and the first vol of Doc Strange and I'm done. Or at least until the next Hulk (July 2015 by my calculation)

Marvel Masterworks Captain America Vol 3

This hardcover volume (purchased for £14.99 incl P&P) fills the gap in my Cap Masterworks. When I get vol 7 I'll be almost up to my first original comics in the series.

This volume includes the 3 Jim Steranko issues which are just amazing.

Another Marvel Masterwork and Powers

Two nice new additions added to my Collection today.

The Cap Masterworks Vol 6 was a good ebay purchase of £20. The stories look very interesting with some lovely Romita artwork.

Powers Bureau is the first trade of the new series. I plan to re-read all of Powers very soon and this and the forthcoming vol 2 will be a nice finish to that run.

Captain America Masterworks Vol 5

I've continued to add to my Masterwork collection with the addition of Cap Vol 5.

It's building up nicely. A couple more Cap volumes ( 3 & 6) are lined up, then maybe some X-Men and finally Daredevil.

The Cap stuff looks great and as I've not got any of this in originals or read much either I'm excited to read it when the time comes.

Captain America Masterworks Vol 4

This hard back edition of Marvel Masterworks is vol 93 in the masterworks line but also Vol 4 reprinting Cap's adventures. Vol 3 will be out in paperback in approx a year but this volume and subsequent ones are many years away from the softcover treatment. Although I would have liked to get the official vol 4 I haven't spotted it available in this country and anyway £25 for a masterworks volume is about standard.

The stories in this look great. I recognise some of the artwork from old British reprints but it will be a treat to read these in colour and in their entirety.

Captain America and The Falcon #186

This issue arrived today. I thought I better get this issue quick off ebay (I'd had it on my watch list for a bit) as it has recently been featured on Comics Should Be Good Legends revealed. Here's the link btw.

Anyway Captain America #186 has one of the most controversial retcons in Marvel Comics history, where we learn that Captain America’s partner, the Falcon, was actually a former crook who the Red Skull had used the Cosmic Cube to make into Cap’s perfect partner, all for the purpose of eventually having the Falcon turn on his friend at a key moment…

It also happened to be the last issue I needed to complete Steve Englehart's run and I didn't want anyone else snapping it up out of interest.

Of course I'm not sure when I'll get to read it..probably not this year as the list is already long! But at least I have it and that's another comic run completed.

Another week of New Stuff

I've purchased some different stuff this week.

First up are two Dave Stevens hardcovers which basically reprint his entire comics related material. That's such a shame because that man could draw! Especailly pretty girls although his longest (and best known) comic is "The Rocketeer" which is about an escape artist/ adventurer.

The Covers and Stories reprints his none Rocketeer work and has lots of full page illustrations which are just beautiful to look at.

Adam Hughes wrote the introduction to "Covers and Stories" as he was highly influenced by Stevens and it was really just a co-incidence that I also bought his book "Cover Run" which is a hardback, oversized collection re-printing his best DC covers. I've got his Justice League comics where he did the covers and art but his later career has focused on doing covers and this is (again) a lovely book to flick through.

I also got my first actual, proper comics of the year as I won Captain America 183-185 on ebay (all 99p). This leaves me with just number 186 to get to finish the Steve Englehart run.

So quite a busy week of purchasing. But still no book to review! I've been busy painting figures, watching Homeland (S1) and playing with Manga Studio so progress on the book I'm reading can only be described as slow and steady.

Added to My Collection: Captain America

Finally received this buch of 1970's Captain America comics. Issues 177-182 to be exact. 6 FN issues for £2.25 plus P&P  so a real steal in my opinion.

These issues cover the time when Steve Rogers quit as Cap ( one of many) and the Falcon takes centre stage before Steve returns as Nomad. All the issues are written by Steve Englehart and Sal Buscema draws them all except for 182 when Frank Robins takes over.

 Issue 182 appears to finish on a cliff hanger and a bit of research on the net ondicates that I need to acquire upto 186 (the end of Englehart's run) to finish the story. If I can get them at such cheap prices then that won't be a problem.

New trade and Masterworks

Two more of my Book Depository sale purchases arrived today.

Really, really looking forward to Agent of the Empire. That will go very near to the top of my to-read list.

The Cap Masterworks takes me to issue 100 April 1968. I need to log where I'm up to on the Marvel series which I'm aiming to complete before starting my Marvel reading from the very beginning. But this and the recent Iron Man masterworks have moved things forward. I think the Hulk is the title which is most behind.

Added to my collection...(part 2)

I should have blogged that I received these during the week. Ooops!

Captain America 173 is a hard to find and usually expensive ND issue but I managed to acquire this from EBay at £3.99 so I was very happy. This completes the Secret Empire storyline (issues 169-176) which I was collecting.

The FF Masterworks vol 7 reprints issues 61 to 71 plus the annual. I'd originally had some of the original issues from this time but I've sold them on EBay for approx £35 and bought the reprint from Amazon for £12.15. The profits have gone towards getting the Cap issue above as well as Defenders issues etc. which I discribed yesterday.

More Marvel Masterworks

Ordered from Amazon Wednesday ;Arrived in the post today

Daredevil Masterworks Vol 3 (reprints issues 22 -32 and Annual 1)
Captain America Masterworks Vol 1( reprints Tales of Suspense 59 -81)

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

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

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.

Top 100 Marvel and DC Characters

Well the results of the poll are now done and I'd thought I'd post to say how my votes did.

I voted back in the beginning of Sept.

These were my Marvel picks with the final picks in brackets

1. Spider-man (1)
2. The Thing (5)
3. She-Hulk (25)
4. Captain Britain (-)
5. Daredevil (3)
6. Dr Doom (4)
7. Mysterio (-)
8. Green Goblin (-)
9. Captain America (2)
10. The Vision (original) (42)

I'm quite pleased with that. I'm not surprised that Capt Britain or Mysterio didn't make the top 50 - but I was the the Goblin didn't. Many people said that one of the reasons that they love Spidey so much is that his villains are great. Well Gobby was/is the best. So go figure....

The full list can be found here.

My DC list was wacky and I didn't expect many to make the top 10. They didn't!

Guy Gardner (25)
L-Ron
G'nort
Batman (1)
Blue Beetle (15)
Jesse Custer (32)
The Joker (5)
John Constantine (19)
Superman (2)
Lex Luthor (19)

August Comic Reviews Part 2

Wolverine Origins #16 by Daniel Way and Steve Dillon was a double-sized issue. The first half was by Way and Dillon and featured more details on a story which was originally printed in Uncanny X-men #268 (cover dated Late-Sept 1990). The original issue was printed at the back and the Wolvie cover is clearly based on that Jim Lee cover.

Although I bought X-Men #268 I couldn't remember any of it so it was interesting to realise that even way back in 1990, the Black Widow had links with Wolverine and they dated back to the 1940s. I was really surprised that I couldn't remember that. But re-reading that issue again, I could see that the style of the comic far outweighed the substance which meant that it was easy to miss important details. I was also probably buying a great deal more comics at that time, and back issues so it would have been easier to miss bits.

I appreciated the reprint as Daniel Way is clearly trying to establish some clarity to Wolverine's past and is clearly doing his homework. Not bad at all.

Rating 7/10

I'd heard that the first few pages of Illuminati #4 were great and they were. Shame that the same can't be said of the rest of the series.

I'm really hoping that it all comes together with issue 5

Rating 7/10 ('cause of those early pages!)

It was great to see Spidey (or should that be Pete) beat the tar out of the Kingpin is Amazing #542. This was probably my favourite issue for some time even if it was one big fight scene.

Rating 7.5/10

I'm still not convinced about the direction and art in New Avengers.

In issue 33 the wizard appears (isn't he in FF at the moment?) but there was a nice use of The Owl. "The Hood" also makes an appearance which makes buying his limited series (by Brian K. Vaughan) even more of a priority.

This issue seemed to have as many bad bits as good. I wish it would make up its mind.

Rating 6/10

Lots of explosions, car chases and snappy dialogue describe this Wildstorm limited series by writers Marc Bernadin and Adam Freeman and art by Lee Garbett.

The storyline is as little cliched but still told in a fast moving and fun way.

Rating 7.5/10