Ideal Logo

Posted by John Klein III on March 8, 2016
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

As much as I do love our current logo –

sfwm-logo-crop.png

I really want to be able to combine these two logos :

Logo Shadow and Flame Logo Magik

The words “Shadow & Flame” then some type of stylize ‘with’ to go with Magik’s logo.

That would be pretty ideal and awesome.

Though I’m not sure how copyright rules apply as I would like to still ‘own’ the logo so I’m not even sure if that idea would work.

Someday, I would like to be able to get shirts made (at least one for me) and that would be pretty cool to not get into any trouble of a legal nature regarding it.

Siege Volume Two Issue 1

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

Siege V2 1

Writer Kieron Gillen

Artist Filipe Andrade

Color Artist Rachelle Rosenberg

Double Page Spreads Andrade & Rosenberg; James Stokoe; Jorge Coelho

Letterer VC’s Clayton Cowles

Before I get too far along, am I the only one who thinks of Karen Gillan, when I think of Kieron Gillen and vice versa? Anyways.

10 Years Ago.  20 Years Too late.  Abigail Brand defeats Ord, of Breakworld, in a Secret War.  Doing so, puts her in charge of the Shield.  She is a Shield-Maiden.  It is exactly what she wanted.

Siege V2 1 Recap 1a Siege V2 1 Recap 1b

Now.  Abigail Brand’s War Journal.  Day 3682.  Which is 10 years and a month later.  I like Gillen’s world building here.  The Shield is 250 feet high and circles the entire southern hemisphere of Battleworld.

Secret Wars 2015 Battleworld Map Complete with Comic Border

The Shield keeps back the Marvel Zombies, the Alien Symbiotes and the Army of Ultron robots.

I also like the logic of this series.  In the main title, we learn that it has been eight years since the universes collided so there is some room to believe that characters could have aged in that time.

Leah, we get her name later, wakes up Brand.

http://marvel.wikia.com/Leah_(Earth-616)

Leah is from Gillen’s time with his Kid Loki saga – from Journey to Mystery to Loki’s solo title.

Leah informs Brand that there were no big attacks, during the night.  Actually, we do get her name on this page, I just missed it.  Brand implies that Leah is leaving, more on that later.  Her replacement is someone Brand is not looking forward to.  Leonardo da Vinci comes into the room.

http://marvel.wikia.com/Leonardo_da_Vinci_(Earth-616)

They head to the top of the Shield.  Scott Summers, one of many as they have a slew of him as clones.  Far as I can tell, no Mister Sinister, in sight.

Lady Katherine of Bishop, who I first saw over in Secret Wars Journal 1, is here – so now I know that the team that protects the Shield, comes from all over Battleworld.  She introduces herself to Ms. America Chavez.

http://marvel.wikia.com/America_Chavez_(Earth-TRN366)

They seem to be fast friends.

Thing, who appears to be both, wearing tighty whitiess as well as being able to merge with the planet surface.  He is their main source of transportation.

War Journal.  Five years ago, Pym-Phalax went into the Deadlands (where the Zombies live).  They were hoping to learn from the Zombies, to better combat the Ultrons.  They lost contact with Pym after two months.  A year later, attacks from Giant Ants (Man) started.

I love the detail of the line, that on their DNA, is a message – Kill Me.  I’m sorry.  I was wrong.  Kill Me.

So intense!

Their solution to this threat is to hook up the Endless Summers to a lense created by Leonardo Da Vinci and they just blast the dudes.

Siege V2 1 Illyana Mention 1

Later.  Brand comments on the name “Giant Ant-Men Zombies” which is a threat one can only find a comic book.  Brand took this position from Fury.

Leah implies that Fury left six months ago and Brand has outperformed him.

Apparently, a group of people went down the Shield and into one of the regions.  Fury was leading them, and Leah is leaving her post to go after them.  She’s leaving as Illyana is out there.  Which leads to me buying this issue and tracking the series.

Leah is a Hel-Ranger and a Shield-Maiden, she will not leave Illyana out there, alone.  I’m not sure why Leah didn’t go in the first place.  Maybe it was more of a routine trip down to the region and things got out of hand?

Siege V2 1 Illyana Mention 2

Brand tells Leah (and us) that Illyana has been gone for a week, so she could still be alive (I hope).

Leah reveals that Beast and Brand were a couple (I do like them together).  It is implied that he died, the same way, going to the surface.

Leah has been the best Second that Brand has had.  Leah finally confirms it, her and Illyana are a couple.  Not an unfamiliar concept with Illyana.  I am, assuming, that Illyana is Magik – as there is only the one character named, Illyana, in the Marvel Universe.

We see who is Leah’s replacement – Kang!  He is going to take charge of the Hel-Rangers.  Kang has experiences fighting Hulks.  Which seems impressive until Brand says that fighting Hulks is nothing like what they have to fight on a daily basis.

I could go for more proper history lessons of Battleworld.  Brand tells Kang about what happen 30 years ago.  There were seven major breaches and the Shield came down.  The regions of Perfection (Ultrons), Deadlands (Zombies) and the Bugs – had a feast of death.  God Doom allowed this to happen, allowed all of the destruction, to happen – until it got to the southern border of Fortress Doom.  Then Doom, with a wave of his hand, fixed the situation.  He allowed millions of deaths and reformed the Shield.  That is one insane decision!

There was another region, Breakland, that doesn’t exist anymore.  Brand was only nine years ago, so she is now 39 – which is older than I thought she was.  Brand swears that she isn’t going to let that happen, ever again.

Brand does not like that Kang isn’t concern about the obstacles.  His carelessness, is going to get millions killed.  I do like Brand, as a character.  She describes the best case scenario – that you fight back a threat on Monday, and they don’t come back until Tuesday.  In the meantime, there are other threats to deal with.  She underlines it for Kang – there is no win, they just can’t fail.

To further emphasize this, Future Kang shows up with a warning.  He thought he could do it but he was wrong.  In 20 days, the Shield will fall.  Secret Wars 2015 is all about countdowns.  Thanos is coming!  This is the Proper Thanos, as no one knows that name.  Makes sense that Doom wouldn’t create another Thanos.  Though he did create Zombies and Ultrons, so who knows what he is willing to recreate.

Issue ends –

Time Before The Fall of the Shield :

20 Days and Counting.

There Is No Hope.

I’m so excited about this series!

X-Men Legends II : Rise of Apocalypse

Posted by John Klein III on March 6, 2016
Posted in: Fun With YouTube, Games. Tagged: . Leave a comment

X-Men Legends 2 Rise Of Apocalypse COVER

I love the X-Men Legends games, the second one being my favorite of the two.  I wish the Marvel Ultimate Alliance games were more like the these ones.  The first Ultimate Alliance was the closest and the second game was okay, it tied in with the then current Civil War storyline and that was cool.

The first game, I really liked but only once you can recruit Emma Frost.  Then I will play the rest of the game as Emma, Cyclops, Wolverine and Beast – the Astonishing X-Men team.  If only it had New Game Plus, a feature that all RPG type games should have!  Imagine if Star Ocean 2 had that feature?  It would be even better of a game!  Chrono Trigger started that and more should follow!

X-Men Legends II, does in fact, have New Game Plus, thus, I’ve played it the most.

X-Men Legends II has this great moment when you run into Kitty Pryde, who I wish was a playable character.

Thanks to YouTuber 40warrior for hosting the video.

I thought I would check YouTube and wasn’t really expecting to see this section of the game as a video.  Pretty awesome that I can have the thought and the Internet can provide it.

Kitty shows up at the end of the first minute of the video.  There is a little lag but don’t worry, its a PS2 game so there were huge lags from the loading screen and the saving function.

She has a unique conversation with Colossus that I like that the video creator took the time to record.  Oh that Scarlet Witch is a hussy!

Watching the video again has made me want to play the game so much!

Master of Kung Fu Volume Two Issue 3

Posted by John Klein III on March 5, 2016
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Master of Kung Fu V2 3

Writer Haden Blackman

Penciler Dalibor Talajic

Inker Goran Sudzuka

Colorist Miroslav Mrva

Letterer Travis Lanham

The issue opens with another flashback to the beginning days of K’un Lun.  The Iron Fist school was the first.  Quan Yaoiu was the first Iron Fist, the school was always the first, at everything – realizing that the war will ruin the region and the first to win the Thirteen Chambers.  Danny Rand, the current Iron Fist, knows that Zheng Zu had Shang Chi murder Lord Tuan.  Rand wants to defeat Zu, in the Thirteen Chambers, so that he can be the emperor – then Shang Chi would have no place to hide.

Zheng Zu opens the doors and addresses his people.  Today is the day of the Thirteen Chambers tournament, apparently it is only suppose to last one day.  The other masters of the schools are – Wise T’Challa of the Panther Clan / Brave Ava of the House of the Jade Tiger / Savage Lord Namor from the Halls of Atlantis / Mysterious Drew of the Spider Cult / Unyielding Karnak of the House of the Terrigen Mists / Noble Creed of the Tooth and Claw / Shattered Spector of the Faces of the Moon / Most Deadly Lady Mandarin of the School of Spirit Blades / Loyal Red Sai of the Red Hand and Rand-K’ai of the Iron Fist.

If Zu wins this day, he will be the first emperor to rule K’un Lun for one hundred years.

Master of Kung Fu V2 3 Lock 1

Like a pimp, Shang Chi arrives, claiming he is the Master of the Lowest Caste.  Rand is not thrilled by this and Zu is surprised.

Master of Kung Fu V2 3 Lock 2

Shang Chi states, according to ancient rule, he is allowed to participate as he has a school and students.  Zu has to allow his son to enter the tournament.

Master of Kung Fu V2 3 Lock 3

Zu dictates who Shang Chi’s opponents will be.  Zu raises the stakes, once he defeats his son, he will kill all of his students!  So we need Shang Chi to win (or at least Zu, to not win) so that Kitten and Lock survive!  Rand looks forever to facing Shang Chi in the tournament.

Zu raises his hand and a giant statue comes out of the ground.  Everyone enters through the giant mouth of the head and. IT. IS. ON!

For a seqeunce that this series has been leading up to, for three issues, this does not disappoint!

Master of Kung Fu V2 3 Kitten 1

Shang Chi feels that Kitten has been following him, and asks her to come out of the shadows.  There are no rules to observers, but none survive – which I’m super curious why that is.  The issue doesn’t explain that but the battles are pretty intense, so I imagine that it is due to either debris falling on the audience or bodies being thrown into them.  Shang Chi explains that no one really knows how the Thirteen Chambers, really work or how they came to be.  It changes every year.

Master of Kung Fu V2 3 Kitten 2

Round One!  Namor v Shang Chi!

Master of Kung Fu V2 3 Kitten 3

Namor gets the early advantage in the fight, as he can breath under water.

Master of Kung Fu V2 3 Kitten 4

Since Namor can breath underwater, that means his lungs are making that possible.  Shang Chi has the ability, the Mortal Blade, to turn his hand into a blade (get it?) and he punctures both lungs of Namor’s.

I like how the tournament doesn’t require the deaths of the masters, that way, they can get better and stronger AND there isn’t a new one every year.

Master of Kung Fu V2 3 Kitten 5

We get a montage of the other fights.  Which is disappointing, only in that I was expecting maybe two issues dedicated to the tournament.

Shang Chi defeats several masters – the Spider Clan person, Karnak, White Tiger, Lady Mandarin (maybe?), Moon Knight, maybe Sabretooth (who wanted to fight Iron Fist first, which has to be a reference to his first appearance being in Iron Fist, right?) and Black Panther.  Black Panther reveals that he has fought in more tournaments than any other great master – which I had to reread twice as I was thinking how he could have fought more than Zu but he is the Emperor and not a mere master.

Shang Chi isn’t fueled by desire of power, he just wants to unseat his father.  No one else can do it, but him.

Master of Kung Fu V2 3 Kitten 6

I wish we got more of the Black Panther fight, besides the two panels, as Shang Chi tells Kitten that T’Challa ruptured something of his.  Shang Chi has nothing else left, in the tank.

Of course, the issue ends, with his next opponent revealed . . . IRON FIST! dun Dun DUN!

I like how Iron Fist promises to make this, not quick.  This series keeps getting better!

X-Men Apocalypse – Super Bowl 50 Trailer

Posted by John Klein III on March 4, 2016
Posted in: Fun With YouTube. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Thanks to 20th Century Fox for hosting this video!

So glad the Broncos won, that made my mother-in-law very happy!

This wasn’t a bad trailer, it felt short at 30 seconds but YouTube states it is 44 seconds, but it moved so fast!  Also, nothing new was really shown, as far as I could see.

New was the nuclear missiles firing.

I really do wish Iceman could be in this film.

Olivia Munn Psylocke Super Bowl 50 Trailer

Psylocke slicing through a truck was bad arse!  Olivia Munn wants her own solo film so bad and I want it too!

I don’t think I realized that this was coming out Memorial Day weekend.

My wife asked me if I knew who Storm’s actress was.  She’s Alexandra Shipp but I don’t recognize her from anything.  She was in an episode of Switched at Birth, so that’s where my wife probably recognized her from.  She is also in Straight Outta Compton, a film I still need to watch.  Yet another reason to do so.

The ad was only 30 seconds with 13 seconds added for the other links and such.

Not to shabby.

Someone asked me if Hugh Jackman was in this and as far as I could tell, he isn’t but that seems like a shame as he’s in every single one of these X-Films but we have to start getting use to him not being there and we might as well start with this film.  I can see him in the post-credit scene setting up Wolverine 3 but they barely finished the script for that film, so it is too late to tack it on now.  Though he could just be doing some random activity and it would count as being in the film.

Inferno 3

Posted by John Klein III on March 3, 2016
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Inferno 3

Writer Dennis Hopeless

Art Javier Garron

Colors Chris Sotomayor

Letters VC’s Joe Sabino

Limbo.  Illyana’s Lair.  Colossus, finally at the spot where he failed a year ago – stands before Illyana’s black onyx door.

There is an ad for the Powers Season 1 BluRay, now I can watch that show!  I do like how Michael Avon Oeming’s name comes before Brian Michael Bendis’, that is a nice touch.

The problem is that Darkchild is not at home.  Madelyne Prior is also surprised that Darkchild is not sitting on her throne but she doesn’t care.  The empty seat is ripe for the taking, and that’s all Maddie wanted.

Colossus and Domino share a moment, he is worried about their limited time in Limbo.  Domino is whispering but that is pointless as Maddie has telepathic powers.  Maddie can see what Darkchild is up to.

Inferno 3 Darkchild 1

X-Headquarters.  Unfortunately, Darkchild is about to switch targets in this war.

Scott shits himself, as the demons and their leader, are right outside his door.

Colossus wants to take everyone home to fight off his sister’s army.  Havok and Maddie (and the others) laugh at the idiot.  There is a giant forcefield that is keeping everyone inside Limbo.  Darkchild and her army are no longer stuck, as they can use Nightcrawler, who is soulless now and being ridden like He-Man’s Battlecat.  Colossus is sadden over Kurt’s current state.

Pryor tries to draw attention to the bright side of this.  She is the new Queen of Limbo and Colossus got his evil sister, out of Limbo.  Maddie implies that Darkchild was all powerful in Limbo, but out there, she is limited in her resources.

Inferno 3 Shadowcat

See an inch below Banshee?  That’s Shadowcat, taking names!

Jean, who apparently didn’t die in the first issue, refers to the Nightcrawler themed creature as, Bamf Dragon.  She reads its mind and realizes that it is Nightcrawler.  This information stuns Scott.

Inferno 3 Magik 2

Darkchild makes short work of both Captain Britain and Rogue.  I sort of love this Illyana, completely free of her good side and playing for keeps.

Inferno 3 Darkchild 3

Scott calls his X-Men, to him.  They must keep the forcefield up or the entire city will be destroyed.  The magic crew – Brother Voodoo, Forge, Nico, Vision and Broo come onto the scene.  Scott isn’t happy as they are needed to keep the magical forces at bay.  Forge claims that Beast and Doctor Strange can hold the forcefield together.  That is when Scott realizes that Darkchild is not on the battlefield.  With the protection spells, in place, Illyana can’t teleport into the building.

Inferno 3 Darkchild v Beast and Doctor Strange

Beast and Doctor Strange are taken by surprised when Darkchild, riding Nightcrawler, comes into their room.

Domino has a quick chat with Colossus.  She tries to finally get him to recognize that his sister is lost.  Colossus has to realize that their fight is over.  They kiss, as that’s all that they really can do.

Maddie calls the lovers’ attention to outside, as the forcefield crumbles.

Inferno 3 Darkchild 4

Scott can’t believe that Darkchild has allowed this to happen.  He asks her, foolishly, what is she doing.  Her response is so awesome – I’ve won.  Next issue is going to be intense!

Meanwhile, the issue ends with the reveal that Mister Sinister is the puppet master.  It makes sense that he will show up, in this series, as he is the only player from the original crossover that hasn’t appeared yet.

Uncanny X-Cast 176

Posted by John Klein III on March 2, 2016
Posted in: Fun With YouTube, Podcasts, Songs, Websites. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

http://www.uncannyxcast.com/main/2016/2/16/episode-176-the-return-of-sunfire.html

Rob and Brian aired my ninth voicemail!  Mine airs and the discussion from 21:22 – 23:34.  This one is about how sad I was about Alan Rickman dying and not caring for the finale of Secret Wars 2015.

The guy did segue the voicemail into a discussion of Love Actually, a film that I only watched because of how the guys enjoyed it.  It really is quite good.  I would still rank Die Hard over it, for better Christmas movie.

The guys did hip us to this awesome YouTube video –

Lila Cheney featuring Dazzler& The New Mutants – I Will Steal Your Heart

Thanks to Greasy Pig Studios for hosting the video.

Crazy how dedicated to the New Mutants this video is.  I like Josephine Hies as Magik,

Giant Size Little Marvel AvX 2

Posted by John Klein III on March 1, 2016
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Giant Size Little Marvel AvX 2

Words and Art Skottie Young

Colors Jean-Francois Beaulieu

Letters Jeff Eckleberry

The issue opens with another theme song.

Giant Size Little Marvel AvX 2 Magik 1

The kids are about to pick sides, for dodgeball.  The team captains are Captain America and Cyclops.  Cyclops keeps the eye puns going but Cap gets to choose first.

Giant Size Little Marvel AvX 2 Magik 2

Once the sides are chosen, Cap announces that it looks like it will be Avengers v X-Men.  I love Storm’s sarcastic comment about how picking players was pointless.  Captain America is taken out first, and cheaply.

Iron Man tries to gets Cyclops out, but he optic blasts the ball away.  Hawkeye throws a dodgeball arrow, and they smashes his visor and Cyclops starts blasting dudes.   Iceman, seeing that non-regulation dodgeballs are allowed, starts making ice-dodgeballs.  The first one sends Hawkeye througha  wall.  Now that the rules have been broken, Black Widow declares it is war, now.

Giant Size Little Marvel AvX 2 Magik 3

I like how the rivalry of Magik and Iron Man, is continued.  Colossus is throwing balls at Captain America, and one of those ricochets back to Iceman’s face.  Hulk gets five balls, successfully, thrown at him.  I’m not quite sure where Rogue is throwing a ball towards.

Giant Size Little Marvel AvX 2 Magik 4

The recess bell rings and Colossus is laid out.  I adore that the Daredevil is blind running gag continues.  Colossus threatens to deal with Captain America, after school.  Xavier, their teacher, introduces the new students, the twins.

The twins’ names are – Zachary & Zoe, which I don’t believe are known characters.  The students get to ask a few questions.  Cyclops wants to know if they are mutants, they are not.  Captain America asks if they have ever been lost in time, but they are not.  Spider-Man asks if they have ever been bitten by an insect or animal, they have not.  Arcade gets a ‘yes’ out of them, as they do enjoy playing video games BUT they are not interested in playing a game titled, Murderworld.  Which makes sense.

Giant Size Little Marvel AvX 2 Magik 5

The final bell rings, and Xavier reminds them of their homework – five pages on the Kree-Skrull War, also this is Friday so the rest of the series could take place over the weekend.  I like that we get to see that the villains go to this school too, but the ‘heroes’ are so distracted with each other.

Cyclops and Iron Man, both, invite the twins to their respected secret clubhouses.  Captain America tries to entice them with free A-Phones.  Cyclops offers Bamfs, but Nightcrawler objects to this.

Later.  Venom goes home, Doctor Strange goes home.  Ghost Rider tells his parents that Xavier told him to not exact vengeance, during social studies.  Beast’s mother wants him to take a bath but he’s too busy trying to ruin interdimensional space.  Namor is feeding his pet fish.  Uatu the Watcher would like his father to quit watching him, as he sleeps – which is my favorite of these gags.

The Next Day.  The X-Men and Avengers Secret Clubhouses are about ten feet from each other, both up in trees.  Cyclops is having Storm and Rogue put out a Welcome banner.  Iron Man and Black Widow make fun of the pre-school craft project.  Black Widow goes as far as to say that she is surprised that macaroni wasn’t used.  Just then, the terrible Colossus, shows up with craft supplies – including macaroni, which embarrasses Cyclops.

Giant Size Little Marvel AvX 2 Magik 6

Iron Man shows off the Avengers fancy Welcome screen.  Cyclops goes for a low blow and attacks Iron Man’s father for being rich and that’s why the Avengers can afford all of these bells and whistles.

Zachary and Zoe, having different directions, realize that they are heading in the same location.  There is a giant explosion and they look over the hill to see what is happening.  Which is a giant battle, with explosions all around.  Cyclops and Iron Man are fighting each other, Angel is flying after Falcon.

Issue ends with Wanda taking out Cable.

The third issue cover has a fight cloud and we see Illyana’s soulsword so I will be buying that issue – for sure.

Ultimate Spider-Man 94

Posted by John Klein III on February 29, 2016
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Ultimate Spider-Man 94

Writer Brian Michael Bendis

Penciler Mark Bagley

Inkers John Dell with Mark McKenna

Colorist Justin Ponsor

Letterer VC’s Cory Petit

Cover Dated July 2006

Deadpool, Part Four of Four

Like Part One, Kitty is on nearly every page, except three of them.  I’ll have to decide which images to go with.  Most likely, I’ll just choose the ones that have both Shadowcat and Deadpool on the page.  Which would take me from 17 to 11, so that’s pretty decent.

Ultimate Spider-Man 94 Shadowcat 01

Beezer gives us a quick recap of what has been happening.  I do like how they keep repeating that Spider-Man is the guest-star of the adventure, even though we know that it is actually his comic book series.

Deadpool, as Xavier, is pleading for his students to escape.  The X-Men are quick to try to get answers from Xavier.  Spider-Man, the only who without a stake in the reveal, just punches Xavier’s face.

Ultimate Spider-Man 94 Shadowcat 02

Shadowcat and Storm start shouting at Spider-Man.  He knows that it is the shapeshifter.  The X-Men, so blinded by loyalty, can’t fathom the idea.

Xavierpool starts shooting at the X-Men.

Beezer cuts to Executive Producer Mojo, who is torturing Xavier.  Xavier has those Clockwork Orange eye thingies that keeps eyes open, all the time.  He’s also naked – which seems a tad aggressive.  Once the X-Men are dead, Mojo is going to lobotomized Xavier, on live television.

Ultimate Spider-Man 94 Shadowcat 04

Spider-Man is still trying to explain why he punched Xavierpool.  Colossus, weakly, tries to explain that they are exhausted and that’s why they were so quick to believe.

Deadpool is giving a motivational speech to the Reavers.  He wants to kill Spider-Man, as they didn’t plan on him being here and that’s why they are losing so much.

Ultimate Spider-Man 94 Shadowcat 05

Beezer tells Deadpool that the heroes are on their way, back to the mansion.  Storm wants to get to the studio, as once the broadcast ends, surely the villains would stop their attack.

Cruise has Spider-Man in his sights and fires.  Spider-Man goes down, with his head in flames.  Not really sure how he survives that hit.  The best part, is that Shadowcat gets so mad and does something she should have done in the previous issue.  She starts running through Reavers, causing them to short circuit.  She probably didn’t do it, earlier, due to it could have killed them.

Ultimate Spider-Man 94 Shadowcat 07

Shadowcat leads the X-Men on an attack, they must be on their third wind.  While Shadowcat is explaining her mutant power to the Reavers (for some reason), Deadpool shoots her in the back.

Ultimate Spider-Man 94 Shadowcat 08

Nightcrawler jumps on Deadpool’s back and places a bomb on him.  Amazingly, the bomb actually goes off and Deadpool drops to his knees.

Angel swoops in, grabs Deadpool and takes to the sky.  Deadpool makes the classic mistake of telling Angel to “let go.”  So Angel does, as that is the rule.  Deadpool lands on his back.  Once he gets to his feet, Spider-Man punches him back to the ground.

Ultimate Spider-Man 94 Shadowcat 09

Spider-Man, realizing that he should be dead from that sniper shot, cuts loose on Deadpool.  Spider-Man is somewhat impressed that Deadpool isn’t staying down.  Spider-Man takes off his mask again.

Ultimate Spider-Man 94 Shadowcat 10

This time, we see Deadpool’s actual face.  Well, what is left of it anyway.  He has clearly given up more of his body than we were lead to believe.  In the heroes’ moment of shock, Deadpool keeps firing his guns.

Ultimate Spider-Man 94 Shadowcat 11

Deadpool is holding his own against Spider-Man.  Shadowcat asks Colossus to throw her, I’m not sure if the fastball special has been given a name or been performed in the Ultimate Universe.  If it has, I’m sure she would have just said the term.  I’ll have to pay attention to that.

Deadpool has both guns to Spider-Man’s head when Shadowcat phases through Deadpool’s chest.

Ultimate Spider-Man 94 Shadowcat 12

Since Ultimate Deadpool must be 85% machine, he haywires like crazy!  Not only that, but he explodes in front of the young couple.  Shadowcat had the presence of mind to grab Spider-Man’s hand and phase them.

There is a full page ad for MC2’s Last Planet Standing.  I wish that line had a better chance but those Spider-Girl fans gave it their best shot.  I still wish we got to see what Kitty was up in, in that future timeline, but the X-People never really got much play there.

The Reavers are motivated to kill the X-Men, in Deadpool’s memory.  Before they can take a step, Cyclops blasts in front of them and they stop.

There is a full page ad for X-Men Fairy Tales, which should have been better.  I read it but no references to Kitty so I didn’t keep any of those issues.

The heroes siege the studio.  Beezer asks the authorities to help save them from the mutant terrorists.  Jean Grey asks the authorities to help shut the island down.

Shadowcat turns to the camera, as people are clearly allowed to do that now and says “hey kids, if you’re watching this at home.  Watching this televised hate crime.  You’re the reason your life sucks, not us.  Sit in the dark and think about that.”  Which is pure awesomeness!  With that, the broadcast is over.

Mojo wants the soldier’s gun but the solider isn’t moving.  Xavier’s collar comes off and he has words with Mojo.

The X-Men turn a corner and see Xavier rolling up on them.  He has found a blanket to cover his body.  Xavier thinks Mr. Parker for coming to their aid.  If he wasn’t there, the X-Men probably would have been dead.  Xavier will fly Peter home.  Peter would like to move in with them, as his aunt is going to kick him out of the house.  Xavier smiles at this, as it is such a good idea.  Where is that Ultimate What If. . . ? story!

Ultimate Spider-Man 94 Shadowcat 17

The X-Plane flies off, as we see Deadpool is sttill standing.

Kitty is just exhausted by all of the hate that surrounds her.

Back at the Parker House.  Peter, who has a sweet new X-Shirt, is going to explain to Aunt May that he is Spider-Man  He’s been missing for a full day and he can’t hide this secret anymore.  Kitty, being the excellent girlfriend that she is, will stay with Peter as he reveals his secret.  He tries to fight her on this but it just makes sense.

Ultimate Spider-Man 94 Shadowcat 19

They open the door and the house is empty.  They worry that Aunt May is out looking for Peter.  Aunt May did leave a voicemail, her date went well (very well) and she is staying over there.  She’s with Warren Miles (the Proper Unverse’s Jackal) so that isn’t good.  Especially as the Clone Saga is coming, like in a few issues.

As far as I remember, Warren Miles doesn’t appear in that storyline nor does May keep dating him.

Such a great storyline this was.  Kitty coming into this title, really gave it new life!

Letters from – Ausuran Stein and Henry Yung / Paul Dale Roberts / Andrew Galgoci / WebHobbit / Paris Kelvakis / Ty.

Next issue – Morbius!  Blade!  Spider-Man!  And who’d guess — but they don’t get along!  You’ll never forgive yoruself if you miss “Morbius” Part 1!

I recall that this is only a two part story.

Inside back cover ad is for X-Men the Official Game.  The Iceman levels are not great and I wish there were more Nightcrawler levels.  The Wolverine levels were superb as that’s where they put their interest in.  I bought it as the IMBD page listed Kitty Pryde having a voice actor in it but I never saw Kitty, nor heard her voice.

Back cover ad is fro Rampage, Total Destruction.  I read a rumor that someone is going to try to make a Rampage movie.  As cheesy as that would be, I wouldn’t mind watching a movie where a giant  warewolf, gorilla and lizard tore through famous capitals.

. . .

Thus, Deadpool Month comes to an end!  Thanks everybody for visiting during Lockpool Month or Deadheed Month!

Excalibur 113

Posted by John Klein III on February 28, 2016
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

Excalibur 113

Story Ben Raab

Pencils Pete Woods

Inks Scott Koblish

Letters Richard Starkings & Comicraft / KS

Colors Kevin Tinsley

Cover Dated October 1997

This was during the great time, at Marvel, when they were doing gatefold covers, with a very informative inside cover.  Unfortunately, for Excalibur, this is also the time that Ben Raab was given the editorial mandate to break up Pryde and Wisdom and slowly bring Excalibur to an end.

Inside gatefold cover ad is for the new TNBC lineup – Saved by the Bell : the New Class / Hang Time / City Guys / NBA Inside Stuff.  I was still watching these first three shows.  I still wish Megan Parlen still acted.  Whenever I see Anthony Anderson, which is pretty regularly, I think of Hang Time.

Excalibur 113 Recap

The cast of the title is – Nightcrawler / Shadowcat / Colossus / Wolfsbane / Meggan and Pete Wisdom.

What happened previously – Colossus and Meggan were traveling back to Muir Island, when a bomb went off in their plane.  Now they are stranded in the Swiss Alps.  Colossus, while carrying Meggan, has lead them to Wundagore, and unless you are going to see Bova, the sweet cow lady – it is never a good idea to go to where the High Evolutionary lives.

Meanwhile, Kurt and Wisdom are in Kassel, Germany – looking for Wisdom’s old Black Air friend, Peckman.  She finds them, before they find her and ambushes them.

Rahne hugs Moira goodbye, as she is heading towards New Mutants : Truth or Dare reunion miniseries.  So great that they are making a point of writing Rahne out of the title, for an issue.  For some reason, Rahne is going to Westchester, on a boat.  I guess if Colossus took one plane and Kurt & Wisdom took another, they don’t have a third plane but that still seems weird.  Moira is worried about Bastion, as this is during the Operation : Zero Tolerance era.  The two ladies are sad, as Moira is dying and her time is limited (though we know, now, that she has a couple more years) but Rahne only sees her former teammates, on rare occasions.

Before her boat can ship, Douglock comes running along, to give her her diary.  They kiss goodbye, which surprises the both of them.  Odd that Douglock isn’t coming along for the reunion – as he counts for two New Mutant members.  Was there ever a follow up story with Rahne and Warlock, about their brief romance during this era?  I don’t recall that.

Wundagore.  Colossus and Meggan are awakened by Bova.  Bova warns that a war is coming and Colossus recognizes the name.  Bova, shyly, brings up that she is a friend of the Avengers.  Sir Ram gives Bova grief for bringing new faces to the tower.  Sir Ram recognizes Colossus and instantly wants to murder him!  Colossus armors up and this surprises Sir Ram, so I’m not sure who he thought Colossus was.  Colossus recognizes the name, Wundagore, but not sure from where.  That guy is the worst.

Sir Ram knows Colossus from his Acolyte days.  By days, I mean, literally days, I don’t think he was a member for that long.  Exodus is running that crew now and he may be at war with the High Evolutionary.

Sir Ram disrespects Meggan by calling her “a little minx” and she tosses him up in the air and he gets stuck on one of the ledges.

Kassel, Germany.  Wisdom is chained to a column.  Peckman has not only tied him up, but placed a neural inhibitor on the back of his neck – so he can’t melt the chains.  Kurt is nowhere to be seen.  There is a splinter group of rogue Black Air that she is a member of.

Wundagore.  Lord Gator and Grizzly Lady Ursula, are leading the troops, as they prepare for battle with Exodus.  Gator doesn’t trust Colossus but he tries to prove his worth with how Exodus’ battle strategy would be.  I can never spell “strategy” right, the first time.  Just then, a voice silences Colossus.

Excalibur 113 Lockheed 1

Back at Muir Island.  Douglock and Moira are talking about how Lockheed is missing and how Kitty is looking for him.  He’s been missing for eleven issues, or almost a year – our time.  Lockheed, who is being drawn like a Disney character.

Excalibur 113 Lockheed 2

Poor Lockheed is being hunted and taunted.  Lockheed is confused, as he thought these peeps were his friends – which makes them laugh.  As we won’t be revisiting this, for some time, these are evil Bamfs that will be coming to their own storyline, soon.

In the air, towards New York.  Rahne is glad to be seeing Cannonball, Sunspot, Karma and Dani again.  She wishes Illyana could be there, but she’s dead now, as is Doug.  Another odd reason for not including Douglock.  Maybe Raab didn’t want to lose two characters for a few issues.  Not like Douglock is doing anything at the moment.  Rahne enjoyed that kiss with Douglock.

Wundagore.  High Evolutionary has two items that Exodus wants – the tower and Magneto’s granddaughter, Quicksilver and Crystal’s daughter, Luna.  Apparently, Crystal is dead and Quicksilver is having High Evolutionary watch over Luna, as he mourns Crystal.  Which is insane to me!  I’m sure Luna is mourning her too and probably wants and needs her father at a time like this.  That Quicksilver is a douche bag!  At this time, I was really enjoying Quicksilver’s solo title but I must not have had this thought, back in the day.

High Evolutionary last saw Colossus during the Evolutionary War, way back in Uncanny X-Men Annual 12.  Which came out in 1988, which was then nine years ago.

High Evolutionary doesn’t need Colossus and tells the two of them to leave.

Bullpen Bulletins.  X-Force 70 starts their “on the road again” storyline.  Men in Black came out.  Spectacular Spider-Man 250 is coming out, with the Green Goblin!  Stan Lee answers a few questions – his thoughts on Heroes Reborn, any regrets not writing novels and any news about the X-Men film which is still three years away.

Comics available August 27 –

Captain America 12
Deadpool 9
Elektra 11
Gambit, 2 of 4
Generation X ’97
Marvel : Heroes & Legends ’97
Marvel Vision 23
Silver Surfer 132
Spectacular Spider-Man 250
Star Trek : Early Voyages 9
Venom : Sign of the Boss, 2 of 2
Wolverine 117
X-Force 70

I don’t own any of these but I know I read Deadpool, Spectacular Spider-Man and the Captain America title.  The Heroes Reborn titles did a silly crossover for their 13th (and final) issues as Lee / Liefeld’s contracts were only good for twelve issues / one year.  I also read X-Force and maybe the Wolverine issue.

High Evolutionary teleports (with a wave of his hand) Colossus and Meggan to Paris (as the Eiffel Tower is in the background).  This sets up the Colossus One Shot, that guest stars Meggan.  Not sure why they didn’t bill it as “Excalibur : Colossus & Meggan” they would have in today’s marketplace.

SwordStrokes, letters are from – Michael Slark of Mackenzie, BC, Canada and David Newbold of Long Eaton, Nottingham, England.

Next Issue : Pete Wisdom held captive!  Colossus and Meggan back from his one-shot!  Lockheed resurfaces!  And Kitty Pryde is off to become an Agent of SHIELD!  All that in just 22 pages!  In only 30 days!

Except, we won’t be as this the end of our third Lockheed Month!  Thanks for joining us for the fun.

This is also, Post 975!!!