Generation Next 4

Posted by John Klein III on May 14, 2016
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Generation Next 4

Created by Scott Lobdell & Chris Bachalo

Inks by Mark Buckingham

Lettering by Richard Starkings and ComiCraft

Colors by Steve Buccellato and Electric Crayon

Cover Dated June 1995

Illyana is narrating this issue, at first, from inside Mondo.  All she knows about life is the Core.  She tries to reach out, as we see Mondo trying to sneak out of the core before she dissolves inside of him.  Her hand breaks out from his chest and he tries to push it back in there.

Several Levels Above.  We catch up with Quietus as ‘he’ has shot Chamber, to make Sugar Man happy.  Bachalo was really firing on all cylinders with this series. This is an awesome double splash page and Sugar Man never looks much better.  Which is impressive as this is only his three appearance, after appearing for the first time in the second issue.

Sugar Man doesn’t care for being made to look foolish in front of the slaves.  Sugar Man knows that no one breaks into a place like The Core without backup.  So he stabs Quietus and Vincente oozes out of the husk.

Vincente is hurt, even in his gaseous state.  Skin is checking on him.  Husk is bleeding out.  Husk turns into her proper form and brags that they are the Next Generation of X-Men – so she couldn’t work the title of the series into dialogue.

There is a giant explosion from above them and Chamber is on his feet, bragging about how he tricked them all into thinking he was shot.  A mutant comes at Chamber but Skin extends something out of his forehead and runs the mutant through.  Sugar Man tries to escape, or get back up but Chamber blasts him apart.

Colossus lands and tells his young charges to find his sister and escape.  Sugar Man, who is tiny at this point, recognizes the name of Illyana.

Below.  Two thugs keep punching Mondo, even though he keeps asking them to stop.  He pushes the two of them off the cliff.  The little girl that Mondo saved, asks to be rescued as well.  Mondo tells her there isn’t enough room for two but he will try.  Just then, Skin and Chamber arrive and remind him of the mission.

There is a four page ad for the Ultraverse.  In 1961, Marvel launches the Modern Age of Super-Heroes.  1975, Marvel launches the Modern Age of Mutants.  Now, Marvel announces the Age of Ultras!  Marvel and Ultraverse and putting on a six month event starting with April 1995’s Rune / Silver Surfer 1, and leads into Black September 1995 – that will change both universes . . . FOREVER!!!  Other titles are – Lord Pumpkin 1 (May 1995) Hardcase 23 / UltraForce 8 (June 1995) Curse of Rune 2 / Mantra 22 (July 1995) UltraForce/Avengers Prelude 1 / Eliminator 3 / Lord Pumpkin 4 / Night Man 22 (August 1995) UltraForce/Avengers 1.  Guest stars include Silver Surfer, Loki, Thor, Black Knight, Infinity Gems and the Avengers.  From the Ultraverse – Prime, Rune, Mantra, UltraForce and Lord Pumpkin.  Safe to state, that I didn’t read this and never heard anything from it.  I did like the UltraForce cartoon, the two episodes I remember seeing.  I wished I had watched Night Man, as the concept sounds insane.  Plus, an appearance of Manimal, a show I thought was cheese as a kid but I bet I would love it now.  That and AutoMan.

Like Sugar Man did to Quietus, he stabs his tongue through Mondo.  Illyana falls through the newly created hole.  Sugar Man makes the mistake of threatening to eat Illyana.  Just then, Colossus double stomps onto Sugar Man.  She immediately recognizes her brother, she always knew he would come to her rescue.  Such a great splash page, of him holding her.  She’s so tiny in his left hand.  Him calling her “little snowflake” wins me over.

Mondo’s new friend’s name is Gel.  Chamber is going to rescue her.  They are going to rescue and free everyone.

The human slaves are starting to attack their mutant overlords.

Generation Next 4 Shadowcat 1

Colossus tells his students to get back to back, they will make it to topside.  Shadowcaat phases out of Colossus, where she’s been hiding this entire time.  We don’t really get a scene of the two sister-in-laws.

Chamber gets knocked down and Skin follows suit.  Shadowcat tells the others to flee as she gives chance after the boys.

Generation Next 4 Shadowcat 2

Before Shadowcat can actually do so, Colossus grabs her arm.  The mission is to safe Illyana, that comes before saving others.  Shadowcat loses respect for him but takes his lead.  Husk shouts to not leave them behind.

Sugar Man’s back up as arrived and humans are being slaughtered.

Generation Next 4 Shadowcat 3

Once they are outside, Shadowcat unphases them.  Illyana is clearly safe and Shadowcat is going to go back for her students.  Colossus refushes to lose both is sister and wife so he will go safe the students.  Illyana finds her brother to be brave but Katya has her doubts.  Which is pretty intense.

Colossus is trying to make his way to the front door but it is closing quickly.

Generation Next 4 Shadowcat 4

Colossus makes crazy eye contact with Husk, as she is clearly fighting.  Colossus falls to his knees, an utter failure as Illyana hauntingly narrates that he wouldn’t let the students die.

Generation Next 4 Shadowcat 5

Hours later, Colossus has waited an appropriate amount of time and has come back – empty handed.  Shadowcat knows that he didn’t really fight.

Issue ends with Sugar Man, tiny again, hiding inside a fold of Colossus’ costume.  Next issue blurb is for X-Men Omega, except we are stopping by two other comics.

X-Facts April 1995.  The Wish List –

Astonishing X-Men 4
X-Man 4
Generation Next 4 – Trapped deep behind enemy lines . . . surrounded on all sides by Apocalypse’s goons . . . it’s do-or-die time for the next generation of mutants!  Will they finally liberate Illyana Rasputin so that she can help save the universe, or was this mission all for naught?  By Scott Lobdell & Chris Bachalo!
Weapon X 4
X-Calibre 4
Amazing X-Men 4 – Together again for what may very well be their final reunion, X-Men past and present unite to safe Bishop from the Madri and the maniacal Abyss!  By Fabian Nicieza & Andy Kubert!
Factor X 4
Gambit & the X-Ternals 4
X-Men Chronicles 2
X-Universe 2
X-Men Omega – This is the one you’ve all been waiting for!  The crystallization wave is about to inundate this last bastion of extistence, and it’s up to the X-Men to stop the tide before the entire universe is destroyed!  By Scott Lobdell, Mark Waid & Roger Cruz!

Such a great series!

Lukas Graham – 7 Years

Posted by John Klein III on May 13, 2016
Posted in: Fun With YouTube, Songs. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Thanks to Lukas Graham for hosting his own video.

I’m currently obsessed with this song, I want to listen to it – all of the time.

Leah Guest did a fun and more positive version of the song.

Thanks to Leah Guest for hosting her own video.

I usually just want to listen to the proper version, at the halfway point.

. . .

Post 1,050!

X-Men Apocalypse Bracket Tournament Round Three

Posted by John Klein III on May 12, 2016
Posted in: Voting, Websites. Leave a comment

http://x-men.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:MrBlonde267/X-Men_Apocalypse_Bracket_Tournament

Round Three! Voting ends on May 13th.

Cyclops v Banshee – Cyclops!
Nightcrawler v X23 – Nightcrawler!

Jean Grey v Professor X – the telepaths – Professor X, I guess.
Juggernaut v Colossus – Juggerlossus! – Juggernaut!

Right Side

Wolverine v Deadpool – Weapon X – Wolverine
Mystique v Psylocke – boo to Mystique beating Kitty, boo! – Psylocke, out of spite!

Magneto v Storm – Magneto!
Rogue v Archangel – boo to Archangel beating Lockheed, boo! – Rogue, out out of spite!

So this will be my last post spotlighting this as I’m super disappointed.  I probably just update this post with how I voted in the next rounds.  I really didn’t think Lockheed was going to lose to Archangel.

Edited on May 13 : Round 4!  Voting ends May 20th

Cyclops v Nightcrawler – now this one was a tough one!  I had to go with Nightcrawler
Jean Grey v Colossus – the worst v the worst – I guess Jean wins this one.  Chances are, we get Scott v Jean, which will be a slam dunk option for this fellow

Wolverine v Psylocke – Wolverine
Magneto v Rogue, a lovers squabble! – Magneto!   Magneto v Wolverine is a fun match up! I’ll go for Magneto in that scenario.  Magneto v Cyclops, it could very well happen!  It won’t but it could!

Generation Next 3

Posted by John Klein III on May 11, 2016
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Generation Next 3

Created by Scott Lobdell & Chris Bachalo

Inks Mark Buckingham

Colors Steve Buccellato and Electric Crayon

Lettering Starkings and ComiCraft

Cover Dated May 1995

Issue opens with Skin and Chamber, not really liking their odds for success.  Skin is narrating this issue.

We see that Apocalypse mutant goons mistreat flatscans horribly.  One of them kills a young girl’s father, as he was giving his daughter three day old food – from their last meal.  It takes all of Skin’s strength to keep Chamber from lashing out.  Skin wants to wait, until they actually have a chance at winning.  We do see that Skin camouflages himself to resemble a guardrail and as the guy who killed the father is leaning on it, Skin allows himself to relax and the mutant guard falls to his death.

Elsewhere.  We see Husk and Vincente, still masquerading as the Chief Administrator of Mutant Resources.  They are surprised that they have made it as far as they did, into the Core.  They are in Quietus’ office and can’t find any records on Illyana Rasputin.

Sugar Man is outside of Quietus’ office, we learn that Sugar Man is Quietus’ boss as well as the boss of the entire Core operation.  Once inside, “Quietus” is having a shower, trying to hide his new scent.  Sugar Man explains that Shadow King noticed someone going through their files.  A possible break-in is suspected.

Inside the shower, we see that Husk only has Quietus’ head and it is her body onto of Vincente’s actual form.  Sugar Man laughs at the idea of a break-in and leaves.  Once they are alone, Husk states how much she loves Chamber.  Vincente states that is why she’s been a red head for the past year.

Generation Next 3 Shadowcat 1

At the Core Entrance.  Shadowcat is phasing herself and Colossus through walls.  Her phasing makes it possible for Colossus to be as light as a feather.  Skin narrates that he has also noticed that Colossus has become reckless, only caring about getting his sister back.  The two teachers are going to wait for a signal.

Below.  Illyana asks an older lady, May, to describe sunlight.  One of the guards pushes Illyana’s new friend off a cliff.  Luckily, Mondo is there to save the girl.  Is Mondo not Skin?  That might explain my confusion about the two of them.  Reading these again, I do recall a sense of confusion of what was happening.  Maybe I didn’t buy these in order, back in the day, reading them as I bought them.

Okay, Mondo and Skin are two different people.  Skin and Chamber are still on the surface.

Malibu Comics must be a thing, or Marvel’s ownership is, as there is a two page ad for Prime vs Incredible Hulk, as it is a mail order comic for Ultraverse.  $10 for the comic or $40 for the Super-Premium version, signed by the creative team and has a metallic ink cover.

“Quietus” finally catches up with Skin and Chamber.  They can tell it is Husk, pretty quickly.

Generation Next 3 Shadowcat 2

Above.  Know-It-All is providing an update to the married couple.  Things are not going well.  Shadowcat wants to go down there but Colossus doesn’t want to risk being detected.

Sugar Man likes that Quietus is getting rough on two intruders.  Sugar Man wants Quietus to kill them, “he” pauses but agrees to do it.  Quietus aims his gun but Sugar Man stops him.  Why use a gun when he has his sweet mutant power.  Quietus tries to make a few excuses but mostly, Husk doesn’t know what his powers are.

While putting his new lady friend down, Mondo spots Illyana and promises to come back.  Mondo grabs Illyana and makes a break for the surface.

Generation Next 3 Shadowcat 3

Know-It-All announces that Mondo has saved Illyana.  Mondo absorbed Illyana, so the more he uses his power, the more likely he make start dissolving her.  Colossus tries to convince his wife to stay behind but she reminds him that they are together for better or worst.  Colossus restates that she will always be the love of his life.  We’ll find out if he really means that later.  Not in this series, but later on in the event.  Shadowcat wants one last “intangible fast ball special” and he tells her that there will never be a last one.

Issue ends with Sugar Man giving Quietus the kill order.

We get the Marvel X-Facts bulletin.  The Wish List is –

Astonishing X-Men 3
X-Man 3
Generation Next 3 – The mission to rescue Illyana Rasputin takes a turn for the worst!  And if Sugar Man doesn’t kill Chamber and Skin, it looks like Husk may have to for him!  By Scott Lobdell and Chris Bachalo!
Weapon X 3
X-Calibre 3
Amazing X-Men 3
Factor X 3
Gambit & The X-Ternals 3
X-Universe 1 of 2

One more issue to go!

Black Panther Volume Four Issue 22

Posted by John Klein III on May 10, 2016
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Black Panther V4 22

Writer Reginald Hudlin

Pencils Manuel Garcia

Inks Jay Leisten with Sean Parsons

Colors Matt Milla

Letters VC’s Randy Gentile

World Tour, Part Four of Four

Cover Dated January 2007

We pick up with this series where we left off, back in November, from issue 18 to now 22.  Let’s find out what has happened in the meantime.

Inside front cover is an ad for the 2007 Chevy Aveo.

Black Panther V4 22 Recap Page

Since marrying Storm, Black Panther has had to go around, shoring up allies and making sure Wakanda is still a viable first world country.  They have visited Doctor Doom in Latveria.  They went to the Moon to visit the Inhumans.  Last issue, they went to Atlantis to pal around with Namor.  Three issues, three visits.

Issue opens with Jim Rhodes, of War Machine fame.  Currently, he is leading the O*N*E program, as a favor to Tony Stark and because General Lazer asked him too.

Rhodes isn’t happy about the Sentinels keeping watch over the X-Men, at their own home.  As Tony’s friend, Rhodes is Pro-Registration.  He likes how it doesn’t just focus on mutants or superhumans, if you want to be bigger than yourself and help the world in the big leagues, you have to get registered.

London, England – on the Thames.  Storm and Black Panther are visiting Captain Britain.  Black Panther is asking Brian about his stance on the Civil War.  T’Challa wants to openly come out against the Act.  Storm mentions how Brian has worked alongside mutants in the past, and should know how quickly the government can turn on a group of people.

Brian isn’t going to go along with them, on this quest.  Even though he isn’t giving the newlyweds what they want, he asks if he can get the Ebony Blade back.  Since an assassins tried to kill him with it, Black Panther isn’t quick to give it back.

Gears of War is coming to XBox 360.  I played it but wasn’t that thrilled by it.

Next, they go to Rwanda to give artificial limbs to maimed children.  We see Everett Ross, who must be working for Stark.  I really liked him from Christopher Priest’s run.  The newlyweds’ next stop is America so they can visit with Oprah and President Obama.

Casino Royale is coming to theaters.

T’Challa explains his plan to Ororo.  They are building public support and their lobbyist will state how the registration is more big government intrusion into the lives of Americans.  Thirdly, and this one is silly – he has brokers trying to buy a majority share of Stark Enterprises, which there is NO WAY Stark doesn’t have it so that he can never lose majority share.  T’Challa knows this and expects Tony has a point pill style defense.

He asks how her call with the X-Men went.

Black Panther V4 22 Kitty Pryde

It didn’t go well.  Emma breaks the news to Storm, the X-Men have promised Stark that they are going to stay neutral during this war.  The war is a distraction from the whole Decimation fallout.  Emma makes the perfect argument that almost all of the X-Men don’t have secret identities, so registering isn’t a big deal.  Kitty overhears this and isn’t thrilled.

Meanwhile, at the White House.  A crowd of both supporters and naysayers have gathered.

There is a half page ad for the miniseries, Bullet Points, that I have to buy the fifth issue.  The other half is to promote Speed Racer Volume Five.

That is followed by a double page ad for the Nissan Sentra.

Meanwhile, at the Sentinel Command Center.  Rhodes is talking to some other guy.  Rhodes is here to help Tony, he doesn’t have an opinion on Black Panther.  Rhodes doesn’t have any problems taking down Captain America.

At the White House.  Before Black Panther and Storm can meet the president, his staff wants Storm to register.  T’Challa doesn’t have to sign as he isn’t an America but Obama can’t meet with superpowered folks until they are registered.

Panther addresses Stark, through a camera, which confuses the lower level staff members.  The new power couple decide to turn and leave.  Two Wakanda guards come down on flying chariots.  The no-fly zone over the White House, prevents a proper plane from picking them up.

The supporters at the gate can’t believe Black Panther was enraged so quickly.  A riot breaks out,  and Black Panther tries to quiet the noise.

Since Black Panther is making an “aggressive” move, this gives the military their excuse to open fire on him.  This annoys Storm and she throws down the lightning.

Now that Storm used her mutant abilities, that gives O*N*E their excuse to engage.

Now a fight has broken out.

There is a page with two ads, the top half is X-23 : Target X 1 by Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost and Mike Choi.  The other half is Star Trek The Animated Series, coming to DVD.  Not a bad show, from my memory, classic episodes given the animated treatment.  22 episodes on 4 DVDs.

There is also a double page ad for the Honda Element SC.

In a brief calm, we see that Rhodes has fallen out of his Sentinel.  These Sentinels do look like they were given some Wakandian flair.

There is a three quarter page ad for Immortal Iron Man 1 by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction and David Aja.  The ad on the far right of it is the Honda Element SC, so they must have spent some money for all of this space.

The supporters were about to attack Rhodes when Black Panther saved him.  Rhodes recognizes the irony of being saved by the man he is there to arrest from the people he was there to protect.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas gets an ad, coming to Playstaton 3 and XBox 360.

Iron Man arrives, not thrilled that his friend is beaten in front of his enemy.  Panther tries to explain that he is helping but Iron Man doesn’t need any royal help.  The two of them get into some heated words.

Panther flies away on one of those chariots and Iron Man takes off after him.

Iron Man is about to punch Storm and Black Panther, in the outfit that would be his alternate uniform in Ultimate Alliance 2, jumps out of the plane with the Ebony Sword.  The sword makes short work of Iron Man.

Back on the ground, Iron Man is ready to end this but Rhodes speaks up about how everyone should just walk away.  Iron Man agrees, as Panther has a country to go back too.  Except he isn’t going back there, he and Storm will be staying in America.

Mail to the King!  Letters from – Jackie Williams of Louisville, NY / Veronica Rodriguez / Andre Clark of Brooklyn, NY / Jordan Hofter of Monmouth, OR.

Inside back cover ad is for Thomas Jane’s Punisher, now on DVD.  Such a good film!

Back cover ad is for the Dodge Caliber.

Old Man Logan 5

Posted by John Klein III on May 9, 2016
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Old Man Logan 5

Writer Brian Michael Bendis

Art Andrea Sorrentino

Color Art Marcelo Maiolo

Letterer VC’s Cory Petit

Another Secret Wars 2015 series, that I only read the last issue of.

I don’t have much experience with Old Man Logan.  I own issue 70, which was part five of the original series.  That is the big reveal issue, of what Wolverine did on his last day.  Let’s see how my second issue with the character goes.

Old Man Logan 5 Recap

Previously within this series – Old Man Logan, picking up with where his last adventure ended, found an Ultron head and started an investigation.  It brought him to the border of his region, so he climbed the wall.  Which is highly illegal, unless it is part of your job – like Shadowcat in Star Lord and Kitty Pryde.  Old Man Logan went through several regions – Age of Apocalypse, the Armor Wars realm, the Deadlands (with the Marvel Zombies) and now he is in a sort of New York City.

Old Man Logan (is that what everyone keeps calling him?  I don’t know, I haven’t read many discussing the series or the character) is confused by the New York City, that now surrounds him.  His narration boxes, I’m not sure what to make of his speech style, is it just an old man speech pattern?

The Ultron head, I know, comes from Perfection – the Age of Ultron region.

Old Man Logan’s memories (that were already not great) seem to be fuzzy, as are his senses, so he doesn’t know what he can trust.  Scenes from earlier in the series, I assume, are played.  Susan Storm, Tony Stark, an Asgardian maybe? and Archangel – are seen.

There is huge crash, that draws his attention.  We start seeing heroes and we see that this is the Manhattan of the Ultimate End series – also written by Bendis.

Emma Frost and Teen Jean Grey, mentally reach out to Old Man Logan – which startles him, as they both should be dead.  Emma, showing concern and compassion that I didn’t know she could express to a Wolverine.  The two telepaths don’t care for what is inside Old Man Logan’s brain.  Jean can’t get over how messed up his memories are.  To these two, their Wolverine hasn’t been that dead, for that long.  For him, Emma has recently died.  Once Emma hugs Old Man Logan, he starts to relax.

Emma brings him home, wherein the X-Men can’t get over seeing an elderly Wolverine in front of them.  He starts eating, like he hasn’t had a warm meal in a while.  Iceman can’t believe his eyes.  Cannonball and Sunspot are right there with him.  Cylcops gets Rachel to confirm what they are seeing, as he wanted a second opinion.  Teen Angel can’t wrap his mind around how there is an old Wolverine, when current Wolverine is dead.  Which I guess makes sense, even though a young version of a character, is now in the present – shouldn’t be too confused how time travel works – or alternate versions of a character.

Old Man Logan 5 Magik 1

Emma tries to explain it in simple terms.  Rogue, talking to Teen Beast – which may be their first interaction, in three years.  Storm reveals what I’m sure Old Man Logan rather not have everyone know, that he killed all of these folks, once.

I do like Nightcrawler talking about how they are all talking (loudly) about this man, and he is just letting it happen.  Old Man Logan is just invested in eating, at the moment.  Magik tries to engage with Old Man Logan, as well.

Emma, Jean and Rachel all start discussing his mindset.  Is he under Mastermind’s influence, or Mysterio’s or is this a grand second chance to do things right?  Sunspot wants to take him to Nick Fury, the baron of this region.  Emma actually has someone he should meet.

Old Man Logan 5 Ultimate Shadowcat 1

Ultimate Shadowcat!?!  Well, she is there (on our left) but no, he is at the Ultimate Xavier School, meeting Ultimate Wolverine’s son, James Hudson.

If only Ultimate Shadowcat had the option to talk about how she did meet an older Wolverine, at one point – he was the Ultimate Cable counterpart.

I know it is simple but I really like the decision of having the Proper Marvel Universe characters, speak in all caps and the Ultimate characters speaking in mixed case.  Is there a word for that?  Not all caps?

Poor James Hudson, never got the opportunity to really be a big name for the Ultimate Universe.  He did get his one miniseries but that’s about it.  Oh, and got to date Ultimate Shadowcat, so that’s something too.

Emma brought Old Man Logan here, so that he can see the Legacy of Wolverine.  It is also a smaller crowd, which I’m sure Old Man Logan appreciates.

Old Man Logan 5 Tree of Characters

We get a visual of everyone Old Man Logan knows.  Marvel Database states that proper Kitty Pryde is in this issue and this the only page that I can imagine she is on.  I think that is her, below Cyclops there, in the middle.  That could be her, above him and to our left.  Old Man Logan is crying.

I do like Sorrentino getting the chance to draw so many mutants.  Bendis sure likes working with him and I like the way he does his layouts.

Old Man Logan 5 Ultimate Shadowcat 2

Someone tries to explain the setup to Ultimate End, how two New Yorks are merged and overlapped.

Emma offers to let the Howletts have a moment.  Instead, it seems like Old Man Logan wants to keep talking to Emma, but who wouldn’t?

Emma knows that Old Man Logan is proof of something, that God Doom screwed up, somewhere and Old Man Logan is defying odds.  She knows a big fight is coming, with Doom and nothing is guaranteed.

Old Man Logan 5 Magik 2

Kitty could be on this page, but I doubt it.  Magik made it, so that’s pretty great.

Could this page be hinting at the end of Ultimate End?  Which was pushed back from November to early December (for those not living in November 9, 2015 – who knows when this post gets published).  Or it could be from Secret Wars 2015 7, 8 or even 9.

Emma gets to go on, saying “bastard” a bit, how to beat a bastard might be with a bigger bastard.

After a two page splash page, of God Doom’s face, we get two pages of all white (except for narration boxes) which works as a time cut.  Old Man Logan wakes up, on the Post-Secret Wars 2015 All New All Different Marvel Universe.  He stops a mugging.  He’s in the middle of Times Square.

I’ll next see (and be reading about him) in Extraordinary X-Men.  Not a bad issue, more set up than pay off but that’s okay.

There is an ad (which is pretty smart) for Old Man Logan 1, by Jeff Lemire (who is writing Extraordinary X-Men, so I bet I buy more issues of OML than I was expecting too, which references to the team he is a member of).  Andrea Sorrentino, not drawing a Bendis comic!?! and Marcelo Maiiolo are the art team.  Could be interesting.  Can Sorrentino do six issues?  I guess he did five issues with this series, so he’s probably set for the first arc.  Maiolo is the color artist for this issue, so he will be handling colors over in the next series too.  I wonder if Cory Petit is the letterer of the next series?  Odd to name everyone but him – but that’s the life of a letterer.

Excalibur 78

Posted by John Klein III on May 8, 2016
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Excalibur 78

Plot Scott Lobdell

Script Chris Cooper

Pencils John Royle

Inks Harry Candelario

Lettering Babcock & Brosseau

Coloring Chris Matthys

Douglock Chronicles Part One of Three

Cover Dated June 1994

We’re celebrating Mother’s Day here at S&FwM with an appearance by the mother of the greatest fictional character of all time!

Unfortunately, we’re in the middle  of the lost years of Excalibur, in the middle of the 90s when Lobdell was trying to force Excalibur to be closer to the other X-Titles but at the same time, keeping an awkward distance between this team and the others.

Here is hoping that with this reread, it is a better comic.  We’ll get around to reviewing parts two and three, at some future date.

Zero is narrating the issue, to an off screen character.  Zero, who is part of a crossover, I want to say, I’m sure the comic will tell us.  He sent a distress signal and this mystery character answered it.

Zero and the character is in Maine.  Zero is on the run from droid destroying drones that Stryfe has sent.  Stryfe’s big crossover was X-Cutioner’s Song but that was two years ago.  This is issue 78 and issue 82 is Excalibur’s tie-in to Phalanx Covenant – which I honestly thought it came before this issue so that would have been the answer.  Maybe he’s just been running for two years.  Though this three parter will set us right to the Phalanx Covenant.

With a page turn, we see Douglock!  Naked Douglock.  He has the memories of Doug Ramsey but he has the powers of Warlock.  This is Douglock’s third appearance, after appearing in Uncanny X-Men 313 – which I own, and will also review one day..  His second appearance is issue 77 of Excalibur.  Douglock is confused by the questions regarding Doug.

Zero and Douglock are going to go on a soul searching mission.

Meanwhile, not that far away.  Britanic (Captain Britain back from the timestream, after swapping places with Rachel), Meggan and Kitty are in a plane, hovering over some trees.  Britanic felt compelled to fly to this spot and now they are waiting to see what caused that.  Meggan, at this time, has dark eyes and talks in fun word balloons.  She’s responding to Brian’s increase in power levels.  Brian came back in issue 75, thanks to the handy editor note.

Excalibur 78 Kitty Theresa Pryde 1

Since they have time to kill, Kitty decides to call her mother, Theresa.  A character we haven’t seen or heard from since Uncanny X-Men Annual 6, in 1994, Uncanny X-Men’s Annual was 18.  In 1995, Marvel switched from the long standing numbering system and switched to naming the annuals after the year they were published.

Kitty calls the South Chicago Clinic, where her mother works.  I’m not sure if we ever knew what she did for a living.  We always knew her father was a banker.

Clearly these two talk, as Theresa knows Kitty lives in the British Isles.  Apparently Moira doesn’t have good phone connections on Muir Island.  Probably because they are always using the computer to communicate.

Theresa hasn’t heard from Carmen in months, so she isn’t going to provide any leads.

The art isn’t all that bad with these pages, I’m not that familiar with Royle but I liked him.

Excalibur 78 Kitty Theresa Pryde 2

Kitty starts crying as she lies to her mother about how her father isn’t missing.  Kitty plans on visiting, once things settle down, but we won’t see or hear from her until issue 107 – which, spoilers, should be the issue we review next year.  107 – 78 is 29 issues, so over two years later.

Kitty recalls how her life never really settles and that takes her back to the classic days of the X-Men.

Brian gets frustrated, with all of this waiting.  Meggan tries to help by sensing for life, and finds a family of four camping.  Brian is sure that the family isn’t who he is looking for.  Brian knows that the stakes are higher than a single family or them in the plane – but involves the entire planet!

Muir Island, Scotland.  Moira is researching the Legacy Virus, as Rory Campbell enters the room.  I get the impression that Rory is new to the research center.  Neither one understands why the other is dedicating so much time to researching the Legacy Virus, it isn’t really in either’s field.  Rory was sent by Xavier, and he implies the Legacy Virus will be the death of Moira.  Cryptic!

Moira is having a dark thought, about how her time may not be enough.  Xavier overhears the thought, as he is always listening.  They hug, like old friends.  Xavier left the X-Men in Hank’s hands, as seen in X-Men 32.  I don’t own that issue, so I’ll take Xavier at his word.  So I should be killing myself for his foolish dream, any day now.

Woods of Maine.  We check in with the family that is camping.  There is the mother, older son Davey and younger daughter, Courtney.  Courtney needs to use the woods and goes out but runs into Zero.  They share  quick moment, no one gets hurt.  Douglock believes that Zero should have deactivated the girl, as she now knows their location.  I’m pretty sure he hasn’t taken the name, Douglock yet.  He’s more machine than man.  Zero is trying to instill humanity into Douglock.  He’s more Phalanx than Doug.  Zero unlocks the memory of Doug sacrifices himself to save Rahne, in the classic New Mutants 60.  Douglock has no emotional connection to that memory.

Stryfe’s droids are attacking the family and Zero charges in the direction to save them.  Before Zero can get there, Brian is making short work of the droids.  One of the droids looks like it blasts a hole through Courtney but don’t worry, Kitty was there to phase their bodies so the blast doesn’t hurt them.

Kitty continues to keep Courtney safe.  Meggan is also laying into the droids.  Douglock arrives and Kitty instantly recognizes the techno-organic nature of the giant arm.  What does surprise her, is the face of her dear friend, Doug, covered in techno-organic flesh.

Issue ends with Zero tired of people fighting his fights for him and he shuts down the droids.  Hundreds are coming, so the threat isn’t nearly over.

Not a bad issue.

Generation Next 2

Posted by John Klein III on May 7, 2016
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Generation Next 2

Created by Scott Lobdell & Chris Bachalo

Inks Mark Buckingham

Colors Steve Buccellato and Electric Crayon

Lettering Starkings and ComiCraft

Worked Over by Bob Harris

Cover Dated March 1995

Rereading these, Shadowcat is barely in these comics.  This issue, is mostly from Illyana’s perspective.

In the Portland Pit, Illyana and Ace (a new character, perhaps?) are trying to hide from Sugar Man.  A guy X-version of Modok – as I think of him, I guess.  Children can’t start fires or eat, as Sugar Man will find you and that isn’t something you want.

Sugar Man sniffs another child out, and takes off.  This makes Illyana cry, as that means they are safe but another child is going to die this day.

Above.  Two guys, flatscans I imagine, are bragging about how well they did.  One of them is disappointed that they only killed thirty, per square foot.  They are in an electric stage wagon, that Skin is operating.  The two flatscans ask Skin to drop them off at a girly bar.

Colossus is the narrator of this issue.  They are in front of the Seattle Core, not the Portland one.  Shadowcat doesn’t believe they stand a chance in breaking into the tower.

Generaton Next 2 Shadowcat 1

The plan is that the students are going the front door and the mentors are going through the back.  Shadowcat’s name is, Katya Pryde-Rasputin.  They are not technically married, as there are not that many priests or rabbis around anymore.

Shadowcat starts hinting at her big concern, that now that Colossus knows his sister is alive, he isn’t going to stop at anything.

Generaton Next 2 Shadowcat 2

Shadowcat doesn’t quite trust the word of Bishop, who she also questions his name.  We didn’t know that it was his last name, at the time.

Colossus runs off but realizes his wife hasn’t said a word in a few minutes and comes back.  By then, Shadowcat has already been taken.

I wouldn’t mind seeing how these two first met up, in this timeline, I imagine they were attracted to each other due to how opposite they are.

Generaton Next 2 Shadowcat 3

Shadowcat was taken by the Undercloaks, who are invincible in the dark but once they are seen in the light, they are easy pickings.  I do like how she was just sitting there, waiting for her hubby to come along.

Colossus is even more committed to getting his sister back.

The Spa.  Downtown.   Poor Husk is substituting for Quietus (a character that looks familiar) as his personal attendant.  Quietus is in charge of this Core.  She talks too much for his taste.  She gets this sweet dig in by calling him “impotent” and he corrects her that she meant “important” but we know she didn’t.

Husk starts couching, Quietus emits a vaporizer that makes mutants sick.  That’s how he protects himself, as his lady assistants are suppose to be flatscans.  Husk is still full of spunk and this makes Quietus happy, as he will enjoy breaking her.

Quietus throws Husk into the wall.  He tries to figure out who she works for.  She isn’t with the Human Leage, she is too young to be an X-Man.  He reveals that there is in-fighting with Apocalypse’s Horsemen.

Husk says that she is an X-Man and starts turning into bubbles.

Quietus explodes as Vincente was in a flask that he drank.  Which is pretty intense.  The two clean up, while recapping the mission.

Later, Skin takes the form of Quietus but he needs Vincente to help fill out the mass.  Husk is also doing her part to help.

This does seem like a complicated plan to get into the door.  Chamber joins up with the team, as a construction worker.

Below, Far Below.  Issue ends with Illyana being thrown up on, but with water.

The next issue has a fun caption – “if you cThey heyeyeyeheheheyeyan believe it, this was the upbeat positive chapter!”

The X-Facts is at the end of the issue.  The Wish List is –

Astonishing X-Men 2
X-Man 2
Generation Next 2 – The next generation of X-Men descend into the darkest depths of Apocalypse’s slave pens as the search for Illyana Rasputin continues!  Plus, the introduction of the “sweetest” villain of all . . . the Sugar Man!  By Scott Lobdell and Chris Bachalo!
Weapon X 2
X-Calibre 2
Amazing X-Men 2
Factor X 2
Gambit & the X-Ternals 2

Ads in the back are for the 90s FOX Spider-Man cartoon and Stargate, the game on Super Nintendo, Genesis, Game Gear and Game Boy.

Back cover ad is X-Men on Sega, Game Masters’ Legacy, a game I haven’t heard of before.

Civil War : X-Men 1

Posted by John Klein III on May 6, 2016
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Civil War X-Men 1

Writer David Hine

Penciler Yanick Paquette

Inker Serge LaPointe

Colorist Stephanie Peru

Letterer VC’s Russ Wooton

Cover Dated September 2006

I use to tell people, back in my message board days, that all they had to do was read the first two pages on Comixology and be done with this miniseries.  Then while rereading it this time, I realized how much more times does Kitty and Lockheed appear in this issue.  Which I’m all for.

Civil War X-Men 1 Recap

Civil War was the event that followed House of M and M-Day.  With the mutant population under two hundred, Cyclops invited all of them to the Xavier Institute.  I forget why the government decided that they must protect this endangered species, as I can’t imagine that it is due to their number being so limited.  Anyways, O*N*E (Office of National Emergency) are there with five Sentinels, that are operated by humans.  By the start of this miniseries, Emma has met with Tony Stark, the X-Men are going to stay neutral during the Civil War.

Civil War X-Men 1 01 Lockheed 1

This issue opens with Kitty and Lockheed watching “This is the Hour” which is a very clunky title for a show.  Valerie Cooper is being interviewed about how mutants don’t have the same civil rights now that they are extinct.

When I write my silly fan fiction (mostly in my head) I almost always start with the Kitty on a couch, reading a book while Lockheed is either on her lap or on the back of the couch.  I hadn’t realized I got that idea from this issue.

I really do enjoy Kitty and Beast together, they have such interesting chemistry.  Probably due to them sharing the same role on a team, in the past, so they haven’t had much time to spend with each other – before Whedon / Cassaday / Martin brought them together.

Look how happy Lockheed is there on her lap!

Those two joking around is so fun, Beast got fleas one time and she won’t let it go.

Civil War X-Men 1 02 Kitty Pryde

The 198 are having a bit of an uprising.

Callistro and Caliban are trying to draw the Sentinels out.  Looks like Mammomax is still alive too.

Domino and Shatterstar are fighting off the soldiers.

Val Cooper, on the news, is trying to sell the idea of protecting mutants and not imprisoning them at their own home.  Well, the X-Men’s home.  Domino is reminding Shatterstar that they agreed to disarming and disabling, as he seems overly kill happy.  The soldiers are using rubber bullets, which I feel like in 2006, rubber bullets was all of the rage.  Domino is doing all of this so that those mutants who don’t want to be there anymore can leave.  Which is weird, as those mutants volunteered to be there, in the first place.

Bishop and Colonel Reyes arrive, Reyes believes Domino and Shatterstar are terrorists for blowing a whole in the barrier wall.  I guess since the X-Men have allowed government manned Sentinels to flank their mansion, so their home is now government property.

A Sentinel references that the 198 are on a list, so they have to use low energy blasts on them since Domino and Shatterstar are not on the list, they can fire at full blast.

Reyes wants the X-Men to help, Bishop called them.

The Daily Bugle half page bullpen (it shares the other half with Avatar Last Air Bender Chapters 13 – 16 DVD has the following news –

The Adventure Starts Here! (New Number 1’s)
Annihilation 1 of 6
Heroes for Hire 1 – which I read as Black Cat was on the team but I couldn’t keep reading it
Agents of Atlas 1 of 6
Claws 1 of 3, which i read all three issues as Joe Linsner drawing and writing Black Cat and Arcade, I’m all in!
New Beginnings!  (New Arcs – Not including Number 1’s)
Sensational Spider-Man 29
Runaways 19
X-Factor 10, I own issue nine and eleven
Black Panther 19, I own issues 16 – 18 and then, 22 and finally 31

Domino apparently can now control the weather with her probability powers.  I’m sure she’s never displayed this power set since.

There is a full page ad having Hulk promote the Dodge Caliber.

Caliban is growing stronger with all of the emotions that are around him.  When did that become part of his power set?  That must be from the Apocalypse upgrade, right?

There is a full page ad for Monster House, which I’m  pretty sure we watched because it was Oscar nominated.

Caliban spits sorrow or regret at Bishop, who immediately falls to his knees with remorse for failing his sister, Shard.  Shatterstar wastes no time to tell Caliban that move was without honor.  Domino’s plane finally arrives.

Talladega Nights gets a full page, which I still recall the ending’s race with fondness.  Is ten years long enough to spoil that, I was going to type “foot race” but thought better of it.

Civil War X-Men 1 03 Lockheed 2

The X-Men finally arrive!  Kitty took the time to put on her uniform, Lockheed is with her.  Along with her is Beast, Cyclops, Iceman and Angel – who couldn’t find a shirt, apparently.  As I type this, I’m just now realizing that the Original Four X-Men are already in this title.  I’m all for Kitty replacing Jean in the Original Five.  Or just in general.

Kitty doesn’t like being part of this fight, mutants should be able to live their lives like the human beings that they are.

Cyclops wants Domino to stand down but she isn’t going to let people who don’t want to be there be force to stay there.

Emma arrives and starts calming everyone down.  Bishop things it was her who messed with his head but he’s told it was Caliban.  Emma fixes Bishop’s head, as the 198 are escaping on their plane.

There is an ad for the Incredible Hulk Season One, which I’m pretty sure you can buy now at ten dollars at Hastings.  Which I’ve been meaning to do, as I own the Best of Incredible Hulk set, but I would like to own the entire series eventually.

Civil War X-Men 1 04 Kitty Pryde

Bishop is upset as Cyclops let the 198 leave.  Bishop tries to insult Scott by claiming that Emma is his boss.  As if that truth would hurt Scott’s feelings.  Scott counters with his own truth about Bishop, that he’s taking orders from O*N*E, which also doesn’t insult him as he likes O*N*E.  I do like Cyclops’ reminder that Bishop’s future was overrun by Sentinels and this very well could be the start of that.

Civil War X-Men 1 05 Lockheed

Bishop is trying to avoid that future by having mutants police themselves, but not really addressing the whole Sentinel guard issue.  Bishop claims Scott doesn’t know what real oppression is, and when Scott starts to counter that he does know real oppression.  Bishop, in a very intimate move, covers Scott’s mouth and walks away.  It is weird.

There is an ad for Ultimate Avengers 2, which isn’t even an attempt to adapt an Ultimates storyline.  I recently started Dark Knight Returns Part One and I was commenting on how great DC is at adapting their comic stories to animation and having those be good and how Marvel doesn’t really do that and most of their direct-to-dvds are not that well received.

Avengers Tower.  Tony Stark, in his Iron Man armor sans helmet is hosting a meeting with Val Cooper and Bishop.  He informs them that not all of the 198 fled, only half of them.  Stark is worried about them joining up with Captain America.  General Lazer is also in attendance.  Tony says that the White House wants him personally to oversee making sure mutants are not seen as a menace.  Tony wants Sentinels and mutants to work together.  Bishop has recruited microMAX and Sabra, who I don’t quite recognize the lady.  I know the name but that’s about it.  Tony is going to have Bishop lead this mission.

David Hine gets to show off his familiarity with Bishop’s character history.  He has experience with XSE and being a sheriff of Mutant Town.  Which is no longer a thing now.  General Lazer isn’t cool with being overshadowed.  Lazer leaves, making some racist comments.

The Xavier Mansion.  The issue ends with setting up the rest of the miniseries.  The male members of the Original Five are going to go rogue and aid the escaped 198.  Which I really enjoyed that aspect of this series, as those four barely spend any time together, on panel.  I imagine they get together off panel, all of the time.

There is a page ad for V for Vendetta, now on DVD.  A film that I watched before reading the trade.  That scene where Natalie Portman’s character is being held prisoner, I suspected who might be holding her hostage.  I told my wife, if it is who I think it is, we’re heading straight to Hastings and buying the DVD (we must have been watching it on some cable channel, and we had missed the first couple minutes) and I’ll be buying the trade.  The trade was a tad hard to read but I did enjoy the film.

The Original Four are wearing new black stealth outfits, so Emma (clad all in white) really stands out in the room.  Emma isn’t allowed to come along, even though she would also make a great addition to this four.  Kitty, Emma or even Firestar would make great additions, possibly even Dazzler!

Issue ends with the boys taking off and a Sentinel confronts Emma.

X-Men Apocalypse Bracket Tournament

Posted by John Klein III on May 5, 2016
Posted in: Voting, Websites. Leave a comment

http://x-men.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:MrBlonde267/X-Men_Apocalypse_Bracket_Tournament

By the time you read this, the voting for Round One would have ended.  Sorry about that, I only learned about it in the last hour of voting.  Round Two is active though.

In honor of X-Men Apocalypse, the Top 64 X-Men are being ranked to see who is indeed, the strongest!

Here is the schedule –

Voting Schedule:

  • Round 1 (Ends April 30th)
  • Round 2 (Ends May 6th)
  • Round 3 (Ends May 13th)
  • Round 4 (Ends May 20th)
  • Semi-Finals (Ends May 26th)
  • Finals (Ends June 2nd)
  • Winner Announced: June 3rd

Here is how I voted –

Round One

Cyclops v Havok – The Ultimate Summers Brother is – CYCLOPS!
Iceman v Sunfire – Iceman!
Banshee v Siryn – Father v Daughter – Banshee!
Cannonball v Husk – Brother v Sister – Husk!
Cloak v Dagger – Partner v Partner – Dagger, though it did give me some pause to vote between the two of them
Nightcrawler v Multiple Man – Nightcrawler, no doubt about it!
Boom Boom v Jubilee – Jubliee!
Moonstar v X23 – Moonstar!
Jean Grey v Kid Omega – Jean Grey!
Emma Frost v Rachel Grey – Emma Frost, this one I had to think about for a while but I guess I’ve lost touch with Rachel at some point
Professor X v Legion – Father v Son – Legion!
Hope Summers v Mimic – similar powers – Hope!
Juggernaut v Danger – Juggernaut, I guess, this was the first toss up for me
Namor v Rockslide – Namor!
Colossus v Strong Guy – Strong Guy, all the way!
Forge v Warlock – Warlock!

Wolverine v Warpath – Wolverine!
Bishop v Cable – future folk – Cable!
Deadpool v Fantomex – Weapon X Folk – Deadpool!
Gambit v Domino – Domino!
Changeling v Mystique – similar powers – Mystique!
Shadowcat v Wolfsbane – Shadowcat, all the flippin’ way!
Northstar v Shatterstar – the stars? – Northstar
Longshot v Psylocke – Psylocke!
Magneto v Xorn – get it? – Magneto!
Quicksilver v Dazzler – Dazzler!
Storm v Polaris – Storm!
Scarlet Witch v Magik – magic folk – Magik, all the way!  That means Kitty and Illyana are going to face off prior to the finals. 
Beast v Doctor Nemesis – science folk – Doctor Nemesis!
Chamber v Rogue – Rogue!
Archangel – Sunspot – Archangel, all the way!
Doop v Lockheed – Lockheed, all the way!  Lockheed v Magik v Kitty Pryde, this is going to get intense!

Round Two

Cyclops v Iceman – Original Five Face-Off – Cyclops!
Banshee v Cannonball – Banshee!  Shame Husk didn’t make it through
Cloak v Nightcrawler – Nightcrawler!  Who votes Cloak over Dagger?
Jubilee v X23 – Jubilee, I guess.
Jean Grey v Emma Frost – Emma, over Jean, every single time!
Professor X v Hope Summers – Hope, I guess.
Juggernaut v Namor – Namor, there are some lackluster second round choices I’m noticing
Colossus v Forge, Forge for the win!

Wolverine v Cable – in the Ultimate Universe, they are one and the same – Wolverine!
Deadpool v Gambit, Deadpool!
Mystique v Kitty Pryde, Kitty Pryde, all the way!
Northstar v Psylocke, Psylocke!
Magneto v Quicksilver, Father v Son – Magneto!
Storm v Scarlet Witch, how the f did Magik not come out on top!?!  Storm!
Beast v Rogue, Rogue!
Archangel v Lockheed, Lockheed!  I can’t believe Lockheed beat Doop, I didn’t see that result coming.  I hoped for it but I guess Doop isn’t as beloved these days.

Kitty and Lockheed, who I wished were on opposite sides of the bracket.  Ideally those two meet up in Round Five.  Could Kitty defeat Mystique, I think it may be close but she can do it.  Can Lockheed defeat Archangel, oh heck yeah!  Kitty v Psylocke, could be close to but Rogue v Lockheed, I’m not going to kid myself.