X-Men Legacy 14

Posted by John Klein III on August 11, 2013
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

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Written by Simon Spurrier

Penciled by Tan Eng Huat

Inked by Craig Yeung

Colored by Jose Villarrubia

I bought this issue as there is a panel depicting all the people Pete Wisdom has lost, as David Haller, Legion, is making him see it.  In the panel is Nightcrawler, Maureen, his mother, Kitty Pryde, and John Sublime.  Now I know what happened to everyone but Maureen and his mother.  I take it that he lost Maureen some time recently.  His mother, I will have to assume that this is the Marvel Universe and he lost her a while ago.

I have liked Pete Wisdom from very on. I am not one of those guys who despise Wisdom.   No, I fall more into the Can’t Stand Colossus camp.  As far as former boyfriends of Kitty’s go, I would have to rank them as:

Pete Wisdom

Ultimate Peter Parker

Iceman

Ultimate Iceman

Colossus

Earth X Colossus

Age of Apocalypse Colossus

Shame that Alistaire Stuart, Doug Ramsey, heck even Shan Coy Mahn never got off the fround.  This is why you will see Marvel keep throwing her back to Colossus all the time, there is no one else.

Which is something I have never understood about television series where the first dame we see the main male character fall for, we have to cheer him on his quest and once they break up, we want them back  together.  In RL, people date other people all the time, and we don’t pine for former loves when there are other options.  But with television series, it feels like there is only ever the first option we see.  It’s just odd to me that our entertainment wires us like that.

Back to the issue, the comic has two moments I really like and have read a couple times now.

The scene where Haller, he doesn’t like being called Legion anymore as it is pretty insulting to someone with his disease, explains the threat at hand.  There are dozens and he explains it via which characters are located where in Britain and what they are going to do.

The follow up scene where it pays off and you see that these heroes do basically do what Haller said they wouldd do, but with hero twists to them.  As that is what they do, they are heroes.  By doing so, they make England more tolerant to mutants.  Which is nice.

The heroes are: Lila Cheney, Psylocke, Chamber. Pixie, Alchemy, Liam Connaughton (who I don’t know, but he blows things up by just thinking about it), and Pete Wisdom.

Issue ends with David’s mother going to appear next isue.

X-Men Volume Three Issue 3

Posted by John Klein III on August 10, 2013
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

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Written by Brian Wood

Penciled by Olivier Coipel

Inked by Mark Morales & Olivier Coipel

Colored by Laura Martin

Primer Part Three

The book is broken down in two teams.

Away team is Storm, Psylocke, Rogue, Rachel, Sublime, Jubilee and baby.

X-Men V3 3 Kitty 1

X-Men V3 3 Kitty 2

Home team is Kitty Pryde, Bling, Hellion, Pixie, and Primal.

I completely forgot that Primal was still around, I only own six issues of Generation Hope.  He had that one good scene where he is on trial.

Sublime is hitting on Rachel.  She doesn’t seem put off by it.  She hasn’t really been romantically linked to anyone since her first appearance with Franklin Richards.  In Excalibur, Alistaire Stuart had feelings for her, but she never seemed to notice.

The bomb at the mansion did not explode, it released something into the air.

Not sure what other comic or who would have yelled at Bling for damaging the school, as none of the teachers seem to be the yelling type and the school gets damaged so much already.  But I get not wanting to get yelled at.

Bling should know that if you got Kitty having your back for forever, that you have a friend for life.

Once the away team gets to the hospital, there is a panel with Jubilee and baby where the baby is mimicking Jubilee’s gesture.  So cute!

I like Kitty knowing that while she has to destroy the Danget Room, it is going to be expensive to repair.  That’s what happens when you are on staff.

Seems weird, like we are missing a huge scene wherein Omega Sentinel gets control of herself again and kicks Arkea out of her system.  Like Wood could have used a fourth issue with Coipel.  But that’s okay as I would have summed it up like that anyway.  Looks like Omega Sentinel and Rogue are going to be the X-Men team for a second time.  Hopefully, it goes smoother than the first time.  At least this team now, doesn’t have any active villains on it.

Jubilee’s son’s name is Shogo Lee.  I forgot her last name wad Lee. Jubilation Lee, doesn’t get more 90s than that folks.

The conversation between Rogue and Storm harkens back to that missing scene.  When did it fet dicey?  Probably cut back to it next issue.

Next issue promises an appearance by Wolverine.  It makes sense as Jubilee added a new member to her family and Logan would take an interest in that.

There is a variant cover to this issue that I added to my wishlist.

Uncanny X-Men Volume Three Issue 9

Posted by John Klein III on August 8, 2013
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , , , , . 4 Comments

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Written by Brian Michael Bendis

Pencils / Colors by Chris Bachalo

Inked by Tim Townsend, Mark Irwin, Al Vey & Jaime Mendoza

We pick up with Dazzler and the Medina family.  Fabio’s sister recognizes Dazzler from her original singing career.  His father just comes off super racist instead of being overly protective.

Really liking Bachalo’s redesign for Dazzler, glad it got the cover treatment.

New mutant, David, gets given his mutant name, Hijack.  Pretty decent name coming from Cyclops.

Uncanny X-Men V3 9 Magik funny

Irma gets a new hair style, so now we can tell one of them apart.  That other one should dye her hair red.

Uncanny X-Men V3 9 Magik ta-daa

Favorite part of the issue would have to be the interactions between Dazzler, Emma, Scott, and Illyana.  A quick and fast way to show their history, and really fun.

I feel really bad for those Dazzler fans who thought she was being given a a huge push.

CSBG’s 50 Greatest X-Family Stories, The Voting

Posted by John Klein III on August 7, 2013
Posted in: Lists, Voting. Tagged: , , . 2 Comments

Brian is back at it with another list opportunity, due to popular demand.

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/08/06/vote-for-the-50-greatest-x-family-stories/

My list is this:

1. Kitty Pryde: Shadow and Flame 1-5

2. Kitty Pryde and Wolverine 1-6

3. Excalibur 61-67

4. Wolverine (2003) 20-25  Enemy of the State

5. Pryde & Wisdom 1-3

6. Wolverine (1988) 125-128 Viper Wedding

7. X-Men True Friends 1-3

8. Mekanx 1-6

9. Generation Next 1-4

10. Kitty Pryde: Agent of SHIELD 1-3

I should have added the Demon Bear Saga from New Mutants 18 – 21, but that’s okay.  None of mine are going to make the overall list, except for maybe Kitty Pryde and Wolverine.

The results start on August 21.

The list should be all over the place so my heart goes out to Brian Cronin, as he’s going to have a load of work ahead of him.  Voting stops on the 18th of August.

The Wolverine

Posted by John Klein III on August 6, 2013
Posted in: Film, Reviews. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

My wife and I saw The Wolverine last night.

It was nice to see additional Catching Fire footage, the Games’ uniforms don’t look as bad as I thought they would.

The only other remarkable trailer to note is the sequel to Thor, which I was not expecting to see.  I prefer my Thor to be on Earth, so hopefully we get plenty of that.

I really dug The Wolverine.

I liked how they kept making baby steps toward  making Movie Viper match Comic Viper, but they stop short of giving her green hair.  Which is disappointing.

I thought the actress playing Mariko did an amazing job.  Once they get off the train, she becomes instantly likeable.

I could have done with three less scenes with Jean Grey.  The first one is a nice  surprise but then we keep getting more.  The final one is cool with the White Hot Room.

I liked the battle with Mariko’s father, they probably threw that in there so that the fight from the Claremont / Miller miniseries would be represented.

Hopefully they do release an Unrated edition as Wolverine stabs a bunch of fools in the film.  It was cool to see him unleashed.

Mariko gets three love interests in the film, good for her.

I wish Yukio was given more of a free spirit in the film.  Or maybe just not with red hair, as if she can have red hair, why couldn’t Viper get green haur?  It really did bug me, I thought that’s why they did it, to get us used to non-traditional hair colors.

Mariko’s father was played by the actor who played Dogan on Lost.  I knew I recognized him from a television show.

Really couldn’t believe they took Wolverine’s adamantium claws away, that’s insane to me.

Some really good action sequences.  Some good characterization.  I wish  Mariko was still alive in the comics as I never really got any exposure to her outside of the failed wedding.

Not to many jokes, but they do stick out.  I guess they were looking for a balance.  Surprised about the profanity, made the film feel like it was more mature, which is what I want from a Wolverine film.

Hopefully Tao Okamoto, Mariko, gets to break out in the states as she was quite good in this film.

I wished we got more of Viper and Silver Samurai on screen together.  Or rather that Silver Samurai’s concept was more in line with the comic version and less of a giant robot / battlesuit.  Though it never felt like Wolverine vs. Iron Man, so that is good.

Also would have been cool to get Wolverine vs. Ninjas but Yakuza was awesome.

I had plans to ramp up to this post with reviews of the other films, but my wife surprised me with this.  Either I will do it for the DVD release or for Days of Future Past, probably for the latter.

That post credit scene is absolutely amazing!  Glad I was able to stay clear of any spoilers.  My wife believes that Wolverine got his metal claws back, vut they looked like bone to me.  I like how Logan has two year’s worth of adventures out there.

Uncanny Avengers 4

Posted by John Klein III on August 5, 2013
Posted in: Homage, Reviews. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

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Written by Rick Remender

Aritist is John Cassaday

Color Artist are Laura Martin and Larry Molina

I have made no secret about how I am a nut for covers paying homage to Uncanny X-Men 141.  There is a splash page in this issue that also pays homage.  I had to make a decision if I was going to start collecting interior art that does that.  I know that it so rarely happens that I really should.  It happens so rare that I bought two issues of Wizard that has a Joker / Harly Quinn homage.   Issue 181 had the first ever and then issue 200 reprinted as a showcase of great original commission art.  I figured I might as well buy it own it twice.

This issue if Uncanny Avengers, is the final part of the Red Skull has Professor Xavier’s brain storyline.

I like seeing the Cyclops’ origin story from Havok’s point of view, as it is Alex’s origin story as well.  I just never have seen it as Alex’s as, to me, he is the lesser of the two brothers.

Though I must state, I freaking adored Alex’s ongoing series, Mutant X, back in the 90s, that was a great series.  Also one of the better alternate timelines, it was well thought out and all of the changes that were made were from known storylines, so you knew where it happen.  A real shame that the series doesn’t get more references made now, but it makes sense as the last issue came out in 2001, oooof, twelve years ago.  Also, there are no available trades, so the series is not readily available.  Some of Howard Mackie’s best work, outside of his Spider-Man career.

Scarlet Witch vs. Thor, pretty impressive of Wanda.

I like the idea of Red Skull and Captain America just walking around and talking.  At this point, they have done it all, practically, so they might as well hold off on the pynching until it is truly necessary.

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The Alex / Wanda budding relationship seems to be happening here.

Alex loses points for hitting Rogue, even if he was being mind controlled, nit cool dude.

It is not until Thor picks up Wolverine’s limp body that I realize we have not seen Logan until now.

I like the little moments at the end.  Cap letting Havok stay as the leader.  Rogue not trusting Wanda.  Though that is super weird that Rogue abd Magneto have had a relationship, and niw she has to deal with his adult crazy daughter.  Thor and Wolverine’s tender moment feels like two warriors talking to each other.

Issue ends with a three month time cut to Red Skull as Onslaught that just looks cool.

Not sure how they broke it down between Martin and Molina on art, as it looks like Martin’s high quality, maybe Molina helped make it look darker, or something.  Just know this, if you have Laura Martin coloring your book, it will look timeless and beautiful.  Marvel better make like Mark Bagley, and chain her to a desk as well.

What I Bought 2013.8.4

Posted by John Klein III on August 4, 2013
Posted in: Purchases. Leave a comment

Uncanny X-Men Volume  Three 9

X-Men Volume Three 3

X-Men Legacy 14

Comparing The Two Lists

Posted by John Klein III on August 3, 2013
Posted in: Lists. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Here is the break down between New Mutants’ list and Brian Cronin’s List

(and I promise this will be my last post on the subject)

Phalanx Covenant dropped from 15th place to 50th

Imperial dropped from 40th place (tied for 38th) to 44th place

Rise and Fall of the Shi’ar Empire stayed at the same rank of 41.

House of M dropped from 14 to 39

Return of the Brood (Earthfall) stayed the same at 38

Rise of the Phoenix dropped from being tied for 45 to 34

Welcome to Genosha (which Brian called “A Green and Pleasant Land – no wonder everyone else calls it the other title) stayed at 33!

Here Comes Tomorrow dropped from 20 to 32

Second Coming dropped from 25 to 31.

X-Tenction Agenda dropped from 9 to 30

Supernovas dropped from 12 to 29

Crossroads jumped from tied at 41 to 28

X-Cutioner’s Song dropped from 11 to 27

Torn stayed the same at 26.

Mutant Genesis dropped from 23 to 25

LifeDeath jumped from tied at 53 to 21!

Planet X dropped from 18 to 20

Riot at Xaviers dropped from 13 to 17

The Brood Saga jumped from 21 to 16

Fatal Attractions jumped from 23 to 15

Fall of the Mutants dropped from 7 to 14

Asgardian Wars jumped from 16 to 13

Messiah Complex dropped from 8 to 12

Inferno dropped from 8 to 11

Preteus Saga jumped from tied at 41 to 10

Mutant Massacre dropped from 2 to 7

Gifted jumped from 21 to 6

From the Ashes would have jumped from 48 to 8, from the collected trade to the highest ranked story.

E is for Extinction stayed at 5

God Loves, Man Kills jumped from 10 to 4

Age of Apocalypse stayed at 3

Days of Future Past jumped from 6 to 2

Dark Phoenix Saga stayed at 1

The stories that did not change were:

Rise and Fall of the Shi’ar Empire at 41

Return of the Brood (EarthFall) at 38

Welcome to Genosha/A Green and Pleasant Land at 33

Torn at 26

E is for Extinction at 5

Age of Apocalypse at 3

Dark Phoenix Saga at 1

In the end though, like any of these lists, it usually just boils down to, these are the 50 best X-Men stories, you may disagree with some of the rankings but just use it as a way to know which stories are worth checking out.  X-Men have a bunch of crossovers so those will always make the list.

21 stories didn’t make the CSBG list so that’s really 71 stories to check out.  Pretty impressive that New Mutants’ compiled list starts has the top 16 making the list.  Some newer stories show up if you don’t want just the best of the 80s and such.  Plus with Paul Smith’s run being made into one entry, it did open the list for five additional stories so there’s that as well.

Seems like the between the two lists, New Mutants’ was about actual storylines whereas CSBG’s list was about storylines and individual issues.

Comics Should Be Good : 50 Best X-Men Stories, The Results!

Posted by John Klein III on August 2, 2013
Posted in: Lists. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Brian Cronin is a true gentleman for compiling this and I respect the heck out of that guy.

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/07/21/50-greatest-x-men-stories-master-list/

Here is the list:

50.  Phalanx Covenant           Only read the Excalibur portion of this, Life Signs

49.  Trial of Magneto              Magneto in France, takes over the New Mutants and joins the X-Men

48.  Wounded Wolf                 Solo Wolverine tale

47.  Magik                               Where Illyanan becomes the character she is today

46.  I, Magneto                       Awesome Magneto battle, he believes he kills Kitty and realizes he is a monster

45.  In the Shadow of … Sauron         Classic X-Men

44.  Imperial                            Morrison

43.  World Tour                      Half of the X-Men believe the other half are dead, leads to Proteus Saga

42.  An Age Undreamed Of    Never quite “got” this story, a fun alternate history story, reminds me of Busiek/Perez’s first Avengers arc

41.  Rise and Fall of the Shi-Ar Empire          Skipped this, don’t care for the X-Men in space.  Shame we lost Nightcrawler and Rachel for a year for this

40.  Professor Xavier is a Jerk!           Classic Paul Smith!  Kitty earning her role on the X-Men.

39.  House of M                     Kitty doesn’t play a huge role but I like that in that timeline, she became a teacher.

38.  Earthfall                           Sequel to the Brood Saga

37.  From the Ashes               The two part Mastermind epic, by Paul Smith

36.  He’ll Never Make Me Cry           Colossus breaks up with Kitty and Wolverine gets Juggernaut to beat the crap out of him

35.  Blood Fued                      Dracula vs the X-Men!  Storm and Kitty in the Mutant X universe are based on if this went wrong

34.  The Rise of the Phoenix   The precursor of the Dark Phoenix Saga

33.  A Green and Pleasant Land

32.  Here Comes Tomorrow   Morrison

31.  Second Coming                Nightcrawler dies in this

30.  X-Tinction Agenda

29.  SuperNovas                     Mike Carey!

28.  Crossroads

27.  X-Cutioner’s Song

26.  Torn                                 Whedon’s best arc and can’t believe it’s the lowest of the ranked.  Danger did not make the list

25.  Mutant Genesis               Claremont’s farewell to the X-Men

24.  Dancin’ in the Dark          The Morlocks’ origins done by Paul Smith

23.  Demon                             John Bryne’s final issue of his legendary run.  Kitty Pryde is put to a test that she has to pass, such a great issue.  I own this as a novelized Marvel Chiller

22.  Magneto Triumphant

21.  LifeDeath                             Storm solo

20.  Planet X                               Morrison, probably my favorite until Marvel undid everything about it.  Magneto on a grand stage and this is the last time Jean died, and she remains dead to this day.  I’m sure that’s the only lasting effect to Morrison’s run now that I think of it.

19.  The Sentinel Live!            Classic X-Men

18.  Second Genesis                The All New All Different team, first apperances of Nightcrawler, Storm, Illyana – which is why I own it for her.  I really need to find that short box and see if I own a first edition or not, it was like $30 on eBay and in a “readable” condition, so I doubt its first edition but I am curious to figure it out

17.  Riot at Xavier’s                Morrison

16.  The Brood Saga                Starts with Cockrum and ends with Paul Smith, probably the only time I liked the X-Men in space.

15.  Fatal Attractions              Magneto rips out Wolverine’s adamantium

14.  Fall of the Mutants          So many characters are changed, Doug dies and Angel becomes Archangel

13.  Asgardian Wars                People usually just think about the Art Adams two parter but there is an X-Men/Alpha Flight mini that sets it up drawn by Paul Smith

12.  Messiah Complex            Kitty is barely in this but its Hope Summers’ first appearance

11.  Inferno                             The storyline that cost us both Maddie Pryor and Illyana Rasputin

10.  The Proteus Saga             The storyline that takes place right before Dark Phoenix Saga

9.  Unstoppable                      A decent story, X-Men in space, Cassaday gets to draw most people’s favorite Marvel characters.  The ending was rough for the three years she was stranded, until Matt Fraction corrected it

8.  To Have and Have Not      Paul Smith, Wolverine’s failed wedding, Storm gets 80s

7.  Mutant Massacre              Kitty and Kurt get so hurt they are sent to England, Excalibur is born later

6.  Gifted                              Whedon’s first arc, put Kitty Pryde back on the map.

5.  E is for Extinction           Morrison’s first arc, Emma joins the team proper

4.  God Loves, Man Kills       Amazing story, basis of X2, really wish they kept it religious instead of military for the movie.  Has more punch that way.

3.  Age of Apocalypse          This gave the world Kitty Pryde with an extreme edge that I really dug.  My disdain for Colossus starts with this

2.  Days of Future Past          Two part story that changed X-Men forever.  Time travel and alternate timelines, plus they come back to this so much.  Battle of the Atom future X-Men are from this, the next X-Men movie uses this as an inspiration

1.  Dark Phoenix Saga           Kitty’s first appearance and Emma Frost’s first appearance.  Kitty never meets the real Jean Grey until so many years later.