Cover by John Cassaday and Laura Martin
I bought this at the Yuma, Arizona comic book store, Fan-Quest. Diane, the owner, had pulled me a copy and I bought them whenever I could.
Since it doesn’t feature Kitty, I probably should try to sell it but I like having one of the many variants this run had.
The review of the issue, proper, can be found here –
https://shadowandflamewithmagik.com/2015/03/18/astonishing-x-men-8/
Writer Cullen Bunn
Artist Matteo Lolli
Colorist Ruth Redmond
Letterer VC’s Joe Sabino
This miniseries has an awesome premise – What If Deadpool was involved in the Original Secret Wars? And the story is pretty great.
The Surface of Battleworld. Now… (Circa 1984…) Deadpool is surrounded by the remmants of Cap’s shield and Thor’s arm and hand grasping for Mjolnir. Deadpool is healing, so this scene takes place around the third issue or so.
Days Earlier. We get the recreation of the top panel of the page below from the first issue of Secret Wars. I like that the introduction scene is giving the double page splash page – it seems like a moment that should be highlighted.
Plus we get some additional scenes and dialogue (as Deadpool is now there). Points still go out to Colossus for making sure that Lockheed is introduced. I’m sure the Avengers are pretty impressed with the X-Men having a purple space dragon counted amongst them.
Magneto has an awesome introduction, he should present himself more often.
Deadpool comments Wasp on her big balloons, her word balloons. Secret Wars really should have been funnier than it was. The stakes were not that high. Deadpool is just like Spider-Man but with guns and charm. Just to let everybody know how ‘off’ this issue is – Secret Wars 1 came out in May 1984 (cover dated) and New Mutants Volume One 98 is cover dated, February 1991. Which is seven years before Deadpool’s first appearance.
Deadpool makes a reference to Iron Man but he doesn’t know that the man in the iron mask is Rhody and not Tony Stark.
Deadpool asks if the X-Men recognize him and no one does, including Wolverine. Captain America states that everyone is noble and just and Deadpool points out that Magneto is on their ship.
We see the ships that the two groups of costumed individuals are on. It was pointed out to me that the ships they are on (seen in the image above) is the same style ship that the Proper Marvel characters used as their Life Raft in Secret Wars 2015 1.
Xavier senses that there is overwhelming evil from the other ship. Deadpool doesn’t miss a beat to point out how he is on the hero ship.
The Beyonder announces the goal of the miniseries (and the maxiseries) slay your enemies and what you desire is yours. Deadpool whips out his swords and wants to murder the villains so quickly. This scares the assembled heroes. Deadpool whispers to Wolverine, I love all of Deadpool’s asides in the issue – and asks how Wolverine can tolerate all of this goody good shoes. Wolverine states that the bulk of his healing factor is used to repair his pride. It is this page that I realize that Deadpool has a “DP” in the same style of Daredevil’s DD – and he isn’t in this series.
The heroes, including Lockheed!, teleport to the surface of this, Battleworld. Reed doesn’t see any villains but Wasp points out that Magneto is standing right over the hill. Magneto is tired of all of this finger pointing, and knocks the heroes backwards. He flies off after stating that only Thor deserves to stand counted amongst him.
Xavier asks who should be their leader, he is in a wheelchair. Reed turns it down, as he is distracted as his wife is pregnant with their second child, and back at home. Hulk isn’t interested. Wasp defers to Captain America, who accepts the role. Wolverine won’t follow a mere human but Deadpool tells him to get in line as you don’t want to be seen as Anti-American.
Now… Deadpool is resting and healing.
The first battle. Look who Lockheed is bravely taking on! The Absorbing Man! That Lockheed, he goes for the tough foes.
Cyclops is tending to Colossus, as he is the worst. Wolverine v Wrecker. Cap v Thunderball. Spider-Man v Doctor Octopus, careful! I forget that Kang is involved in Secret Wars. He doesn’t do much, from what I can remember.
Deadpool fights Lizard, who scratches his outfit. This enrages Deadpool as there isn’t a machine that repairs clothes here – which there is and Deadpool knows in a fourth wall breaking fashion. Deadpool flirts with Enchantress and She-Hulk. Enchantress is disgusted and She-Hulk wants him to focus up.
Absorbing Man absorbs Deadpool, hoping to learn what his powers are. That isn’t how Absorbing Man works, right? It has to be inanimate objects – that is how I know his powerset. Absorbing Man absorbs Deadpool’s cancer, so that isn’t great.
Deadpool takes out Kang, single handedly – which is up there with Squirrel Girl’s abilities!
The heroes are getting the unconscious villains ready to be their prisoners. Cap sends Storm to do some recon.
Now. Deadpool is feeling better and starts heading outside. As this section of the issue ends with us seeing Deadpool, fully healed, shirtless and with a beautiful head of blonde hair and a mustache to match!
Here is hoping that Lockheed keeps showing up in this! He appears in three issues of the original Secret Wars and in two issues of the four of Spider-Man & Secret Wars. So if his track record holds, he should appear in one more issue of this. I imagine it will be the final and fourth issue.
. . .
Contest of Champions : Bonus Round
Writer Cullen Bunn
Artist Jacopo Camagni
Colorist Veronica Gandini
Letterer VC’s Joe Sabino
Contest of Champions’ first issue came out in June 1982, two years prior to Secret Wars; thus nine years before Deadpool was a thing.
Camagni really likes to draw Kitty from behind!
Can’t really blame the art team for not making sure costumes match from the original series. It shouldn’t have been hard to get it right, as the trade is still in print – I believe. Shamrock and Kitty both should have a full head mask, but that’s okay.
Deadpool is speaking on the behalf of the the B-Level characters (perhaps C-Level) as the Grandmaster and Death have chosen their champions. So the two contestants make a bonus round.
In addition to their proper champions –
Grandmaster’s Team is – Captain America, Talisman, Darkstar, Wolverine, Captain Britain, Defensor, Sasquatch, Daredevil, She-Hulk, le Peregine, Blitzkrieg and Thing.
Deaths’ team is – Iron Man, Vanguard, Shamrock, Iron Fist, Storm, Arabian Knight, Sabra, Angel, Invisible Woman, Black Panther, Sunfire and the Collective Man.
For the bonus round, their champions are –
Grandmaster’s Team – Rocket Racer, She-Man-Thing, Vile Tapeworm and Frogman
Death’s Team – Deadpool, Howard the Duck, Doop and Pink Sphinx
She-Man-Thing is terffic in this issue, I wish she was a real character – or that she became a bigger character now. I’m all for Death’s team. I forget that I actually do enjoy Doop.
Deadpool wants to split up, immediately but Howard tells him that is foolish. Pink Sphinx, also a new character (along with Vile Tapewom) reveals the hidden object is in Patricia’s Platinum Playroom. Deadpool wishes she just whispered the information as now the other side knows where to look. Deadpool knows where that location is, in St. Louis so he will seek it out and asks Doop and Howard to hold back the other side. Essentially splitting from the group.
Deadpool grabs the object and the issue ends with the object just being a Participant globe, which upsets everybody. Well, except for Death who makes out with Deadpool – in an awesome reference to Joe Kelly’s run on Deadpool, wherein Death is attracted to Deadpool. Which, yes, Kelly does involved Thanos eventually, which may be my favorite Thanos appearance.
Writer Joss Whedon
Artist John Cassaday
Colorist Laura Martin
Letterer Chris Eliopoulos
Cover Dated February 2005
Dangerous, Part Two of Six
I like how the first two pages are laid out. The panels on the first page go – Wing dead in the Danger Room, two dudes looking down at something and Emma, the Cuckoos and Blindfold hearing something.
Second page – The telepaths are taken out, the two dudes are bathed in red light and the Danger Room’s door is electrified. So it goes down one page and the opposite panels on the next page.
Scott looks over Emma. Wolverine confirms that all of the psychics are taken out. Kitty goes to check on the rest of the students.
I sort of like the nice touch that Scott and Logan don’t know the kids names but Armor is there to name check Wing.
Some ink kid, comicbookdb nor Marvel Database names him, tells Kitty that the non-ink kid passed out.
Over at the two dudes, we see that whatever they were looking at, is gigantic. I do enjoy Laura Martin bathing their scenes in red. The item breaks out of the roof and we see that it is a damaged Sentinel, that states “I hear you, Lord.”
The team is outside. Wolverine isn’t smelling anything. Kitty wonders if Logan can track Wing, but he doesn’t know him. Like a jerk, though, he promises to kill him, when he finds him – which seems like quite the overreaction. Of course, Wing is dead at this moment, so that isn’t great.
Scott is with Emma, he doesn’t know how she is still knocked out. Beast told him that there is nothing physically wrong with the telepaths. While Emma is passed out, we get a very narration captions, of a second voice in her head.
The Sentinel is slowing making its way towards the mansion.
In space, Abigail Brand is doing some push ups. We see that on her arms, she has tattoos – “Anna” and “Grace.” An agent comes in and tells her that the mansion has gone silent, including their mole.
Look at those amazing backgrounds!
I like that the school only has nine telepaths, that really shouldn’t be a power that too many have. Wolverine confirms that they are isolated in the county.
Lockheed arrives! He must have been attempting to contact Brand. Kitty requested him to do some long-range recon, and he is back. Look at the muscles that Cassaday gives Lockheed! That dragon is a star!
Wolverine asks how Kitty and Lockheed are able to communicate with each other, if all of the telepaths were shut down. Kitty explains that their connection is intuitive, more instinct than thought.
Scott wants some lights.
So Lockheed lights up the sky, revealing the Sentinel. Sentinel eye beams the team, Colossus proves useful by blocking Wolverine, Kitty phases through the beam and Scott jumps aside.
The Sentinel goes on stating, destroy the oppressors! It flings a gate and both Lockheed and Scott dodge it. That Sentinel has gone too far! Scott makes a poor field decision and instructs Kitty to take the students into the Danger Room.
Scott optic blasts the Sentinel and gets back handed, which is impressive that he can take that hit and get back up.
Kitty is getting the students into the Danger Room and avoiding eye beams.
Scott tells the boys to get behind him, as he wants the Sentinel off his lawn. He takes off his visor and leaves a small crater.
Colossus notes that he heard the Sentinel say, oppressors.
Kitty and Lockheed finally lock the students into the Danger Room.
Cassaday straight up reuses the bottom panel of the previous page for the middle one of this page.
Kitty and the students (not sure where Lockheed is) see Wing’s dead body. Kitty calls Armor by her real name, Hisako. She asks Armor for help but Armor is too busy reeling from the sight of her dead friend.
Some kid notices that the exit door is missing.
Outside, the Sentinel is going on and on about father’s sins, as Wolverine slices into it.
Kitty attempts to phase through the wall but she can’t leave the room. Just then, Wing stands up – which is quite the sight!
Outside of the room, Colosus is putting his entire body to try to open the door. He fails as he sucks at everything. Scott feels pretty silly for doing exactly what was expected of him.
Emma has woken up and ends the issue stating that the enemy is not in the Danger Room. THE THREAT IS THE DANGER ROOM!!! WHAT!?! The Danger Room is angry!
Mails to Astonish, letters from – Luis of Bridgeport, CT / Glen Wadleight of Austin, Texas / Ian Rothe / Mark of Springfield, NJ / A Happy Fan / David Bolung of Melbourne, Australia and Joel Padre of Glendale, Ca.
http://www.newsarama.com/27178-marvel-comics-march-2016-solicitations.html
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #7
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS• MIKE DEODATO (A/C)
WOMEN OF POWER VARIANT COVER BY KATE NIEMCZYK
“THE WAR MACHINES” PART 2!
• War Machine and Iron Man team up to stop a brand new threat to the Marvel Universe… like only they can. All this plus more hints to next summer’s insane Marvel blockbuster event.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Already building toward’s summer’s big event? Makes sense, plus this issue gets to be printed in that event’s trade? Or in one of those “Road to” trades.
INTERNATIONAL IRON MAN #1
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Variant by Gabriele Dell’Otto
YOUNG VARIANT COVER BY SKOTTIE YOUNG
ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
hip-hop variant by marco d’alfonso
Who is Tony Stark, really? Since learning that he was adopted as a baby, this question has cast a shadow over Stark’s life. Now, it is time to uncover what his legacy truly is, a journey that will carry Tony into new directions as a man and as a super hero. Alongside his strange new quasi-ally Doctor Doom, Iron Man will discover new things about the Marvel Universe he didn’t know existed before! A character deconstruction from Bendis and Maleev along the lines of their award-winning DAREDEVIL run!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Bendis is going to not only give Iron Man a second title, he’s writing it himself! Bendis / Maleev do make for a great team. I won’t be getting this.
THE INFINITY ENTITY #1 (of 4)
JIM STARLIN
VARIANT COVER BY RON LIM
VARIANT COVER BY TBA
FROM THE PAGES OF THE THANOS: THE INFINITY RELATIVITY OGN!
When last we saw Adam Warlock, he was a captive of Annihilus of the Negative Zone. So where does THE INFINITY ENTITY #1 find him? Hanging with the original Avengers? Then things start getting weird. But what else would you expect from the cosmic team of Jim Starlin and Alan Davis? Guest starring the Guardians of the Galaxy.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99THE INFINITY ENTITY #2 (of 4)
JIM STARLIN
VARIANT COVER BY RON LIM
Continuing his efforts to piece together his lost recent past, Adam Warlock is confronted by the bizarre and powerful In-Betweener, then begins a nightmarish tour of a ravaged universe. Each answer unearthed produces even more vexing questions, until Warlock receives an astral summons he cannot ignore.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99THE INFINITY ENTITY #3 (of 4)
JIM STARLIN
VARIANT COVER BY RON LIM
Adam Warlock at last discovers the truth about what he has become and his and Thanos’ role in the destruction of the universe. Now the big question is whether or not the universe’s most powerful entities will allow Warlock the chance to rectify his mistakes and save all that there is.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99THE INFINITY ENTITY #4 (of 4)
JIM STARLIN
VARIANT COVER BY RON LIM
With his memories fully restored, an omnipotent Adam Warlock confronts the surprisingly unexpected true architect of all the universe’s recent ills and destruction. This should make for a short story. But all is still not as it appears and our tale ends with a very unforeseen twist.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
The first issue promises to have the Guardians of the Galaxy, so I should be buying that issue. Hopefully Starlin knows that Pryde and Grimm are part of the team now. Plus, Alan Davis drawing Kitty, is always a reason to buy a comic! I imagine Chad Nevett is excited about this series.
HYPERION #1
Chuck Wendig
Cover by Emanuela Lupacchino
Variant cover by Emanuela Lupacchino
hip-hop variant by shawna mills
ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
BLACK PANTHER 50TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT COVER BY KERON GRANT
HYPERION IS BACK!
Or is he? The high-powered hero is hiding in plain sight, driving a truck across the U.S. to learn about the country he has adopted. Along the way, he picks up a lone runaway named Doll, who has more baggage than he anticipated. Doll is in danger, chased by a pack of freaks and lunatics known as THE CARNIES. Will Hyperion reveal himself to save her? Maybe! Will he use a tractor trailer as a baseball bat? Probably!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Another new number one I won’t be getting.
X-MEN ‘92 #1
CHRIS SIMS & CHAD BOWERS
Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA
hip-hop variant by afua richardson
ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
VARIANT COVER BY TBA
The X-Men of the 90s are back! Continuing from the hit Secret Wars series starring the X-Men of a more EXTREME decade. With Cassandra Nova defeated, the X-Men have taken in all the young mutants she had rounded up and are officially reopening the Xavier School for Gifted Children…but being responsible won’t stop them from having crazy adventures! Especially when Omega Red shows up with the (Formerly) Soviet Super Soldiers!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
Could Sims be able to bring Kitty Pryde into the 92 series? Or possibly Illyana into her Magik idenity? That would be pretty great!
BLACK WIDOW #1
Chris Samnee & Mark Waid
hip-hop variant COVER by phil noto
variant COVER by Tula Lotay
YOUNG VARIANT COVER BY SKOTTIE YOUNG
ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
WOMEN OF POWER VARIANT COVER BY TBA
S.H.I.E.L.D.’S MOST WANTED!
The Eisner Award-winning team of Mark Waid and Chris Samnee are taking Black Widow on the lam! Natasha has spent years gathering secrets, and when some of the darkest ones begin mysteriously going public, no one is safe. With her betrayed former confederates at S.H.I.E.L.D. on her heels and a lifetime of training and ingenuity at her disposal, Natasha’s out for answers in a knock-down-drag-out tale of action and espionage! Hidden enemies, old friends and unusual allies collide, and all eyes are on Black Widow. The chase is on!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Great that Black Widow is getting a new ongoing! I won’t be buying it but I am a fan of the character.
MARVEL UNIVERSE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN: CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS #1
Adapted by Joe Caramagna
THE CONTEST BEGINS!
• A mysterious being is abducting Earth’s heroes!
• Now, Spider-Man and the Avengers must battle their greatest foes for the fate of the planet!
• Be here for the start of the next great super
hero crossover!
32 PGS./All Ages …$2.99
I wonder if the X-Men could appear in this?
MOCKINGBIRD #1
CHELSEA CAIN
Cover by JOELLE JONES
VARIANT COVER BY AFU CHAN
Women of Power Variant COVER BY TBA
hip-hop variant COVER by jeff dekal
YOUNG VARIANT COVER BY SKOTTIE YOUNG
ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT! Now in her own ongoing series!
Bobbi Morse is Mockingbird, S.H.I.E.L.D.’s most versatile, most in-demand agent!
But a string of missions gone wrong indicate that something strange is lurking within S.H.I.E.L.D.’s own medical and recovery network. How far will Mockingbird have to go in order to solve this puzzle box and get to the truth? Bestselling author Chelsea Cain teams with newcomer Kate Niemczyk.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Pretty great that Mockingbird is getting her own series! I’ve been really liking the character on Agents of SHIELD.
AVENGERS STANDOFF: ASSAULT ON PLEASANT HILL ALPHA #1
NICK SPENCER
CONNECTED VARIANT COVER BY ART ADAMS
PARTY VARIANT COVER BY TBA
PARTY SKETCH VARIANT COVER BY TBA
Pleasant Hill looks like the perfect small-town community — but underneath the surface, a deadly secret lurks. One so explosive it will draw estranged allies Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson back together to save a friend in danger and put things right. But when the combined might of the Captain Americas isn’t enough, whom do they call? In the face of unspeakable evil, it’s time for the Avengers to Assemble like never before! The blockbuster spring AVENGERS event starts right here!
40 PGS./ One-shot/Rated T+ …$4.99
So this isn’t related to summer event, instead we are having an Avengers Spring Event. Glad I can skip out on this. I wonder if it could lead into the other event though?
ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT MARVEL UNIVERSE
Written by VARIOUS
Cover by DAVID MARQUEZ
SECRET WARS has ended, and the Marvel Universe has been reborn — better and brighter than ever before! To celebrate, Marvel is proud to present this all-new, all-different guide to the Universe! This edition includes brand-new profiles on Phil Coulson’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Ms. Marvel (Khan), “Spider-Gwen” Stacy, Lash, Parker Industries, Singularity (A-Force), Ghost Rider (Reyes) and more! Plus updates on major characters starring in new titles: Iron Man (Stark), Ant-Man (Lang), Doctor Stephen Strange, the Inhumans, Thor (Foster) and Wolverine (Kinney)! Also featuring a global-sized entry for Doctor Doom’s SECRET WARS patchwork planet, Battleworld! Get in on the ground floor of the All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe which starts now!
64 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
A new handbook for the All New All Different Marvel Universe? Where do I sign up!?!
Captain America 75th Anniversary MAGAZINE
Written by JOHN RHETT THOMAS
Covers by JOHN BYRNE, JACK KIRBY & ALEX ROSS
Celebrate the birthday of a living legend with an All-New, All-Different, ALL-FREE commemoration of 75 years of Captain America! From fans’ first impression of Steve Rogers socking evil in the jaw, to Sam Wilson wielding the shield today, this magazine has it all — bringing you fully up to date with Cap’s comics and films! From a guide to the firmest friends and fiercest foes of Cap’s storied history, to an in-depth look at his timeless costume, to features focusing on some of the finest creators ever to write or draw the Sentinel of Liberty — including John Romita Sr., Mark Gruenwald, Mark Waid and the King himself, Jack Kirby! Do your patriotic duty and take home this FREE slice of red, white and blue. Happy birthday, Captain — we salute you!
96 PGS./All Ages …$0.00
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9904-5
*RetailerS: Check upcoming Marvel Mailers on DETAILS on how to receive your free copies.
Also available for order, special edition covers:
CAPTAIN AMERICA 75TH ANNIVERSARY MAGAZINE 1 BYRNE COVER (SPECIAL EDITION, $9.99)
CAPTAIN AMERICA 75TH ANNIVERSARY MAGAZINE 1 KIRBY COVER (SPECIAL EDITION, $9.99)
CAPTAIN AMERICA 75TH ANNIVERSARY MAGAZINE 1 ROSS COVER (SPECIAL EDITION, $9.99)
Pretty great that Marvel is going all out for Cap’s 75th birthday! A free magazine is pretty nice. Hopefully Hastings gets a copy, as it would be nice to read.
ROCKET RACCOON & GROOT #3
SKOTTIE YOUNG
COVER BY SKOTTIE YOUNG
VARIANT COVER BY SIYA OUM
FRIENDS FOREVER???
• The horrible truth of Rocket’s dastardly transformation revealed!
• Oh man, that answer only raises MORE questions?! But don’t worry, all will be revealed! Probably! There is a very good chance most things will be revealed!
• Can the greatest friendship in the galaxy survive this terrifying trial? I’d say yes, probably, but really isn’t it the journey more than the destination? Come journey with us, friends!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
Again, this series’ solict is pretty grand.
Art by Joe Quinones
HOWARD THE DUCK #5
CHIP ZDARSKY
THE EPIC CONCLUSION!
• A cosmic battle to end all battles with Howard in the middle! Can he put an end to THE COLLECTOR once and for all with the help of the Guardians of the Galaxy and Silver Surfer?
• Seriously, I’m asking you. I’m on, like, page 12 of this script and I. Am. Stumped.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
We have confirmation that Kitty is part of the Guardians appearance for issues four and five! Such a great cover!
DRAX #5
C.M. Punk & Cullen Bunn
IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT, DESTROY THE KITCHEN!!!
• Fin Fang Foom’s got a bun in the oven!
• In Drax’s quest to save the kids Foom kidnapped, the Destroyer is moving out of the frying pan (underground jail) and into the fire (something worse)!
• We could dish out these kitchen jokes all day, but stick a fork in us, we’re done!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Kitchen puns are fun!
GUARDIANS OF INFINITY #4
DAN ABNETT & GERRY DUGGAN
Cover by Gary Choo
AN ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT GOD ARISES!
• This is the dawning of the age of Hermetikus! He’s the Lord of the Newcomers and seems to have access to all of space and time!
• And he also seems to have complicated history with Stella Nega, leader of the Guardians 1000!
• Plus, GERRY DUGGAN and RAFA GARRES bring you a rollicking tale of space brawlin’ with VENOM and THE HUMAN TORCH!
40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99
I do like the trend of having a backup story featuring a Guardian who isn’t present in the series, but when will it be Kitty’s turn!?!
Art by Jamal Campbell
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #6
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS
VARIANT COVER BY JAMAL CAMPBELL
STORY THUS FAR VARIANT COVER BY TBA
CLASSIC ARTIST VARIANT COVER BY TBA
WOMEN OF POWER VARIANT COVER BY TBA
“NEW GALACTIC ORDER” STARTS NOW!
Peter Quill, a.k.a. Star-Lord, is back with the Guardians, but what does that mean to Star-Lord, a.k.a. Kitty Pryde? Who made it out of the horrifying first arc? Don’t miss this issue!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
Great cover by Pryce14, whoever that is? I’ll have to get that variant cover. I had to look it up, Jamal Campbell is pryce14, good to know. I like that new costume for Pryde but I can see it just being a space suit. Glad Quill has rejoined the team, maybe that means Spartax doesn’t survived the first story arc though. Let’s not lose in our first adventure, you guys!
SILVER SURFER #3
DAN SLOTT
VARIANT COVER BY STEVE EPTING
Special 50th Anniversary issue!
• In 1966, the heroes of Earth met Norrin Radd of Zenn-La, The Silver Surfer.
• In 2016, for the greatest stakes of all time, he will have to fight them all.
• Not a dream. Not a hoax. This is really happening. A major turning point in the life of Norrin Radd that will profoundly change the saga of the Silver Surfer!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Hey, Silver Surfer is turning fifty next year! I wonder who is being counted as “them all” could the X-Men be there? We’ll have to find out!
VENOM: SPACE KNIGHT #5
ROBBIE THOMPSON
PIK ROLLO IS A GIANT SPACE PANDA BEAR
• And she is tough as %&#$, while still being adorable.
• But she needs some help from VENOM to rescue her child (also ADORABLE) from our big cosmic bad guy, who wants Venom dead. Venom, and pretty much anyone else getting in his way.
• Panda. Bear. Mercenaries. From. Space.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
I wonder how adorable is adorable?
POWER MAN AND IRON FIST #2
DAVID WALKER
VARIANT COVER BY BILL SIENKIEWICZ
JENNIE AND THE FAMILY SUPERSOUL STONE
• A villain now has her hands on a mystically powerful stone, and it’s all Luke and Danny’s fault!
• Well, maybe it’s not ALL their fault. They were tricked by an old friend, but that’s little comfort to our two heroes, much less the gangster from whom they took the stone.
• Someone phone Jessica Jones and let her know Luke’s going to be late. Maybe she could binge-watch an awesome streaming super hero show?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Nice plug for her show there! We still haven’t watched a single episode, once we finished Shameless, we will get to it.
CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS #6
AL EWING
CONNECTING VARIANT COVER BY RON LIM
GAME VARIANT COVER BY KABAM
CHECK AND MATE!
• How did Maestro end up in the Battlerealm? How did he come to be a servant of the Collector?
• This issue has all the answers and then some! As the Maestro takes his revenge…on EVERYBODY!
• The dominoes fall, the plans come together and NOTHING will be the same again!
• DON’T MISS THIS ISSUE!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
We’re going to get answers, I wonder if that includes if that is Magik’s soulsword or not?!
ANGELA: QUEEN OF HEL #6
MARGUERITE BENNETT
KIM JACINTO & STEPHANIE HANS (A)
COVER BY KIM JACINTO
WATCH THE THRONE!
• Who’s the a new ruler of Hel?
• Angela? Sera? Hela? Leah?
• Plus: The first meeting between Angela and the new Thor! It, uh…it does not go well.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Thor v Angela, could get pretty intense!
THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #6
RYAN NORTH & CHIP ZDARSKY
Variant Cover by ERICA HENDERSON
WOMEN OF POWER VARIANT COVER BY TBA
Connected Variant Cover by TRADD MOORE
PART ONE OF “ANIMAL HOUSE,” A CROSSOVER WITH HOWARD THE DUCK!
• Squirrel Girl and Howard will team up against an enemy that neither Squirrel Girl (who has defeated Galactus) or Howard the Duck (who has defeated… uh… well, listen, I’m sure he’s got other qualities) could take down on their own!
• Will they fight over a trivial misunderstanding? Will they band together against a common enemy? Will Squirrel Girl say “duck!” to mean “lower your head” but Howard will misinterpret it as a call for his attention, leading him to get hit on the head by something?
• At least ONE of those three questions will be answered with a “yes” in this issue!
• CONCLUDED NEXT MONTH IN HOWARD THE DUCK #6!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
I like Howard having all of these crossovers and guest appearances, he deserves it!
EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN #8
JEFF LEMIRE
CONNECTING VARIANT COVER BY KEN LASHLEY
STORY THUS FAR VARIANT COVER BY TBA
CLASSIC ARTIST VARIANT COVER BY TBA
WOMEN OF POWER VARIANT COVER BY TBA
“APOCALYPSE WARS” STARTS NOW!
Mutantkind is an endangered species once more. But what better way to ensure your people see the future…than to skip ahead right to it? As the mutant race’s last hope is jettisoned into the time stream, the Extraordinary X-Men make a startling discovery: the fate of their kind is about to fall into the hands of one of their most formidable adversaries — the immortal APOCALYPSE. Now, the X-Men race into a perilous future, desperate to reclaim what was taken from them…and completely unaware of the horrors that await them.
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
In time for the Apocalypse movie, well the trade anyways – we get our first X-Men crossover! Everything makes it seem like it is only a three parter, so that isn’t too bad. Not sure why this is an additional dollar, hopefully that isn’t the new price point. Shame Magik was left off of the main cover, maybe I can get one of the variants, in its place. I know she is on the Ken Lashley variant, already.
ALL-NEW X-MEN #6 & #7
DENNIS HOPELESS
• In the wake of terrible acts committed by the adult Cyclops, mutantkind is hated and feared more than ever.
• And try as he might to divorce himself from his predecessor’s legacy, some believe that the young Scott Summers is destined to grow up and commit those sins.
• Now, there’s one mutant who believes that he can spare mutantkind if he prevents Scott from becoming that man.
• Will the young Cyclops’ story end here?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 (each)
How can teen Scott Summers grow up to commit adult Cyclops’ sins, when the world will be a completely different place, by then? It isn’t like Marvel is going to repeat AvX in time for that, right? Or that Teen Scott will be around that long, for that matter. Interesting that Extraordinary X-Men 8 kicks off Apocalypse Wars but the other parts are coming out in April and not in the same month.
X-MEN: WORST X-MAN EVER #2 (of 5)
MAX BEMIS
• Bailey may be the worst X-Man ever…but Mystique sees something in him!
• Meanwhile…he tries to fit into every part of the X-Universe!
• The new X-Mini by Say Anything frontman Max Bemis continues here!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
I keep hoping for Kitty or Illyana in this series.
UNCANNY X-MEN #4 & 5
CULLEN BUNN
ISSUE #4 –
• Mutantkind is teetering on the brink of extinction once more! While some mutants seek refuge, others are eager to fight for their species’ survival.
• And in the case of the UNCANNY X-MEN, that means taking the fight to those who would hasten mutantkind’s decline!
• But are the X-Men biting off more than they can chew when they try to hunt down the DARK RIDERS on their own turf?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
ISSUE #5 –
• The final confrontation between THE UNCANNY X-MEN and THE DARK RIDERS!
• One X-Man is dead and the world’s deadliest team of mutants is eager to deliver retribution. But what price will they pay to exact their revenge?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
We’re already getting a dead X-Man!?! I wonder if Land is doing the Apocalypse crossover.
POWERS VOL. 1: WHO KILLED RETRO GIRL?
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
TPB (NEW PRINTING) 240 PGS./Mature • ISBN: 978-0-7851-9274-9 • JUL140707…$15.99
PREMIERE HC ISBN: 978-0-7851-5671-0 • MAR110746…$24.99
I’ve read this, it was pretty good but I did stop at the first one.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: NEW ORDER VOL. 1 – EMPEROR QUILL PREMIERE HC
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by VALERIO SCHITI
Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS
Peter Quill has abandoned the Guardians and his role as Star-Lord to be emperor of the Spartax! Now, Rocket has grabbed the reins as team leader — backed up by Drax, Venom, Groot, Kitty Pryde and brand-new Guardian Ben Grimm, the ever-lovin’ blue-eyed Thing! But what could put the team into the crosshairs of Emperor Quill and his Imperial Guard? Another old face is back, too — but will it be a welcome return for Gamora, or have circumstances changed in the eight months she has been away? When friends like these cause complications for Rocket and the gang, who needs enemies? They don’t, but they seem to attract them anyway. And the newest threat to the galaxy is a doozy. His name is Yotat the Destroyer — and he will have blood. Collecting GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2015) #1-5.
112 PGS./Rated T …$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9518-4
Trim size: standard
Buy this! It is so good! Pryde fits in with this team so well! Makes sense, with the line wide relaunch, all of the trades will be coming out, at roughly the same time.
FIGMENT 2: LEGACY OF IMAGINATION HC
Written by JIM ZUB
Penciled by RAMON BACHS
Cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
The legendary Dreamfinder and the unforgettable Figment return in an all-new adventure! Together, they saved the world — but now they find themselves in a time and place not their own! As the pair adapt to a new era, steampunk adventure collides with modern technology as a shadowy threat emerges. Mysteries unfold, old friends return, and fresh challenges present themselves — but Dreamfinder’s greatest test lies ahead. Will his own legacy be his undoing? While the creative minds of the Academy Scientifica-Lucidus fall under a cloud of doubt, a new dreamer joins the journey. Together, can the imaginative team save the school and free their friends, or will the world fall into darkness for all eternity? Don’t miss this sequel based on the beloved “Journey Into Imagination” attraction at Walt Disney World! Collecting FIGMENT 2 #1-5.
136 PGS./All Ages …$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9847-5
Trim size: oversized
Now maybe we can get Lockheed in more titles, than just Groot 6! Unless they plan on making a third trade.
AVENGERS BY JOHN BYRNE OMNIBUS HC
Written by JOHN BYRNE, FABIAN NICIEZA, DANNY FINGEROTH, ROY THOMAS, DANN THOMAS,
MARK GRUENWALD, MICHAEL HIGGINS & MORE
Penciled by JOHN BYRNE, TOM MORGAN, GARY HARTLE, PAUL RYAN, MARK BAGLEY, RON WILSON & MORE
Cover by JOHN BYRNE
Earth’s Mightiest Heroes by one of comics’ biggest names! John Byrne transforms the West Coast Avengers as the dismantling of the Vision sets the android’s bewitching wife, Wanda Maximoff, down a path that is far darker than scarlet! On the East Coast, Byrne steers the Avengers through attack by the Lava Men and into the Negative Zone in search of the Eternals! Then along comes a spider as a friendly neighborhood wall-crawler joins the Assemblers on a journey to the stars! But what is Immortus’s ultimate plan? From the Evolutionary War to Acts of Vengeance and more, it’s an eventful volume filled with epic tales written and/or drawn by Byrne! Collecting WEST COAST AVENGERS (1985) #42-46, AVENGERS WEST COAST #47-62 and ANNUAL #4, AVENGERS (1963) #305-318 and ANNUAL #18, and material from AVENGERS SPOTLIGHT #23 and WHAT THE–?! #6.
992 PGS./Rated T …$100.00
ISBN: 978-1-302-90057-1
Trim size: oversized
The ruining of Scarlet Witch begins here!
COLOR YOUR OWN CIVIL WAR
Penciled by STEVE MCNIVEN
Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Whose side are you on? Colored pencils, crayons or felt-tip pens? Reach a decision across page after page of all-out costumed warfare featuring Steve McNiven’s exquisitely rendered artwork just waiting for you to add the color! Captain America and Iron Man are the feuding Avengers leading the two sides of heroes that battle it out over the rights and wrongs of superhuman registration. This war is far from civil as friendships and teams are torn apart, and one fact is certain: The issues are anything but black-and-white. Luckily, that’s where you come in! From Shellhead’s gleaming red and gold to the stars and stripes of the Sentinel of Liberty, these monochromatic Marvels are crying out to be brought to life in an eye-popping kaleidoscope of conflict. The battle lines have been drawn — now, can you stay inside them?
120 PGS./All Ages …$9.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9559-7
Hastings actually has the Secret Wars Coloring Book and it looks super fun. Again, I’m not sure if I would be releasing all of these original Civil War trades, as I imagine many people won’t be tricked into buying them. But if a hundred people are tricked into buying every one of the trades, that’s some pretty good profits!
CAPTAIN AMERICA EPIC COLLECTION: MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY TPB
Volume #22 in the Captain America Epic Collections
Written by MARK WAID, BILL MESSNER-LOEBS & TERRY KAVANAGH
Penciled by RON GARNEY, MIKE DEODATO JR., JIM CHEUNG & JOHN STATEMA
Cover by RON GARNEY
Operation: Rebirth! Captain America, thought dead by the nation he loves, returns to the land of the living with a vengeance — but his unlikely savior is one of his deadliest enemies! Reunited with long-lost love Sharon Carter, Steve Rogers must face a foe he hoped he’d never see again. But Cap’s return is good news for the Avengers — with Thor powerless, Iron Man a teenager and the Zodiac attacking, they need him now more than ever. But does America? When Cap is framed and exiled from the United States, he must uncover the truth and track down the mysterious manipulator before time runs out for America! Collecting CAPTAIN AMERICA (1968) #444-454, THOR (1966) #496, IRON MAN (1968) #326, AVENGERS (1963) #396, CAPTAIN AMERICA ASHCAN EDITION #1, CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE LEGEND #1 and material from CAPTAIN AMERICA COLLECTORS’ PREVIEW #1.
456 PGS./Rated T …$34.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9510-8
This collects the Waid / Garney Captain America run, so it is outstanding!
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 5: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS TPB
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by VALERIO SCHITI & FRANK CHO
Cover by VALERIO SCHITI
The Guardians of the Galaxy are caught in the pull of the Black Vortex! With the Slaughter Squad hot on their tails, the X-Men and the Guardians have to find somewhere to stash their precious cargo — but will the temptation of the Vortex’s unknown power be too much for this band of misfits? Rocket leaps into action! Gamora goes on the offensive! Ronan is deposed! Star-Lord is defiant! This story has it all — but does it seem like the Guardians have forgotten something in all the cosmic craziness? Oh, that’s right, Peter got elected president of Spartax! Wait, what?! As rifts begin forming within the team, will their friendship and history be enough to hold the Guardians together? Plus: What is a S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier doing floating in space?! Collecting GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2013) #24-27 and ANNUAL #1.
136 PGS./Rated T …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9738-6
This collects the last of the Guardians of the Galaxy issues, prior to Secret Wars 2015 – Kitty is in most of the issues (at least the last ones) so I’ll recommend in it.
HAWKEYE & THE THUNDERBOLTS VOL. 1 TPB
Written by KURT BUSIEK, JOE CASEY & FABIAN NICIEZA
Penciled by MARK BAGLEY, LEONARDO MANCO, NORM BREYFOGLE & RICHARD HOWELL
Cover by MARK BAGLEY
Heeeeere’s Hawkeye! Your favorite ex-bad guys are determined to break good now that the ultimate reformed criminal is here to usher them into the big leagues of hero-dom — the Avenging Archer himself, Clint Barton! But can the Thunderbolts’ new leader fend off the old one, Citizen V? Or the Crimson Cowl and her new Masters of Evil? And just who is it under that white mask and that red hood now, anyway? Mach-1 makes a sacrifice, then takes his tech to the next level, while things gets heavy with Graviton. Will Archangel join the team to lift the mood? Hawkeye will lead the T-Bolts into hell and back for a fallen Avenger — but when Clint locks lips with Moonstone, there’s only one word for it: Uh-oh! Collecting THUNDERBOLTS (1997) #23-37, THUNDERBOLTS ANNUAL 2000 and AVENGERS ANNUAL 2000.
456 PGS./Rated T …$39.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9528-3
I loved Thunderbolts back in the day, so I would recommend this. Maybe get it on sale as forty dollars seems like a lot. I don’t quite recall Casey’s issues, maybe he did the annuals. The series itself, was top notch by both Busiek and when he handed it over to Nicieza.
MARVEL FIRSTS: THE 1990S VOL. 1 TPB
Written by HOWARD MACKIE, GREGORY WRIGHT, FABIAN NICIEZA, CHRIS COOPER & MORE
Penciled by JAVIER SALTARES, JACKSON GUICE, ROB LIEFELD, RICHARD CASE & MORE
Cover by VARIOUS
Marvel’s journey into history reaches comics’ most debated decade: the 1990s! Ghost Rider, Deathlok and Foolkiller are reinvented for a grim-and-gritty era! Mutants go extreme with X-Force and an all-new X-Factor! The New Warriors on the block arrive! Nomad goes solo, Silver Sable shuffles her Wild Pack, Adam Warlock assembles an Infinity Watch, Darkhold Redeemers rise, and new icons are born: Darkhawk, Sleepwalker, Night Thrasher, Terror Inc. and Death’s Head II! Collecting GHOST RIDER (1990) #1, DEATHLOK (1990) #1, NEW WARRIORS (1990) #1, FOOLKILLER (1990) #1, DARKHAWK #1, SLEEPWALKER #1, X-FORCE (1991) #1, X-FACTOR (1986) #71, WARLOCK AND THE INFINITY WATCH #2, DEATH’S HEAD II (1992A) #1, SILVER SABLE & THE WILD PACK #1, TERROR INC. (1992) #1, NIGHT THRASHER: FOUR CONTROL #1, DARKHOLD: PAGES FROM THE BOOK OF SINS #1 and material from CAPTAIN AMERICA ANNUAL #9.
464 PGS./Rated T …$34.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9833-8
We need an Essential Darkhawk! X-Factor 71 is the beginning of Peter David’s legendary run. I’m not sure if X-Force 1 holds up, those would be the only issues I’ll be interested in.
BLACK PANTHER BY CHRISTOPHER PRIEST: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL. 3 TPB
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST & J. TORRES
Penciled by SAL VELLUTO, JORGE LUCAS,
RYAN BODENHEIM, JON BOGDANOVE, JOHN BUSCEMA & PAOLO RIVERA
Cover by SHIN NAGASAWA
It’s Black Panther vs. Iron Man (with Wolverine in the middle) in the blockbuster sequel Enemy of the State II! Secrets are revealed, punches are thrown, and King Solomon’s Frogs wreak havoc — but who is the second Panther? Plus: Flash forward to T’Challa’s old age, where the once and future king has washed his hands of the outside world. Will he come out of retirement to save Everett K. Ross’s life? And travel back to the Old West as T’Challa finds himself in the middle of 1986’s THOR #370! But when and where in the timestream falls…the death of the Black Panther?! It’s political intrigue, tangled timelines and magic frogs as only Christopher Priest can juggle them! Guest-starring the Hulk! Collecting BLACK PANTHER (1998) #36-49 and #57-58, INCREDIBLE HULK (2000) #33, THOR (1966) #370 and material from MARVEL DOUBLE-SHOT #2.
456 PGS./Rated T+ …$34.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9508-5
I don’t recall a sequel to Enemy of the State but Priest’s run on Black Panther is a must buy!
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ULTIMATE COLLECTION BOOK 6 TPB
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by MARK BAGLEY
Cover by MARK BAGLEY
One of the most ruthless villains in Marvel history, the fan-favorite Carnage gets the Ultimate treatment! And though young Peter Parker has proven himself time and again, can even he hope to defeat this heartless killing machine? Then, a bizarre occurrence brings Spider-Man and Wolverine together for the freakiest team-up in super-hero history! As the two struggle to get to the bottom of this mystery, their lives literally unravel. What strange phenomenon has both heroes too distracted to work together? Plus: Johnny Storm realizes that despite his newfound fame and powers, he still doesn’t have a high school diploma. So where does the young Human Torch enroll? None other than a certain Queens school that also counts Peter Parker as a student. Strap yourself in as Spider-Man’s ultimate adventures continue! Collecting ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN (2000) #60-71.
296 PGS./Rated T …$34.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9632-7
The Wolverine / Spider-Man mind swap story is pretty fun. These were good issues. I still own issues 66 & 67 (Kitty is part of the Wolverine two-parter)
. . .
So it looks like not an expensive month for me, April may be, but we’ll get to that.
I’m getting, for sure –
Extraordinary X-Men 8 $5
Howard the Duck 5 $4
Maybes –
Infinity Entity 1 $4
(which sounds funny in my head)
All New All Different Marvel Universe Handbook $5
For a total of $18, a dollar off each book (4) for a total of $12, that isn’t really that bad.
. . .
I have to add the handbook and Infinity Entity to my pull list.
Writer Dave Manak
Pencilers Warren Kremer & John Romita
Inker Jon D’Agostino
Letterer Grace Kremer
Colorist George Roussos
Cover Dated November 1986
Lost in Time, Part Two of Two
Today, Star Wars Episode VII comes out! Something I’ve wanted ever since, as a child, that George Lucas was waiting until the cast was old enough and follow up their adventures. I didn’t think it would take this long but still, I’m pretty excited. Who knows when I will be able to watch the film.
Like the Transformers cover, for the Marvel 25th Anniversary theme, I wasn’t that familiar with who the cover character was.
That would be Wicket Wystri Warrick, from Star Wars Episode VI, Return of the Jedi. Who looked like this –
If he looked like this, I would have noticed him.
For more information on Wicket, here is his official Wookieepedia page :
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Wicket_Wystri_Warrick
This is a Star Comic, so I knew it was geared towards children but I hadn’t known it was based off of the Ewoks animated series, that I didn’t know existed.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Star_Wars:_Ewoks
This is a two part story, the first part appearing in Droids 4. In that issue, C-3PO and R2-D2 have gone through a Time Warp Portal, along with a King’s son, and they need to find the son and get him back. I imagine other nonsense happen, but that’s all that they let on at the offset of the issue.
Wicket and Princess Kneesaa are about to be crushed under a boulder, along with C-3PO and R2-D2. I like how 3-CPO calls him, Artoo, I guess I’ve always heard it as R2 but it makes sense to spell it out. Does C-3PO have a nice short hand?
Artoo lifts his arms and the boulder bounces off his feet. Once that threat has passed, Kneesaa (which when I first read it, I thought it was just a word of excitement that Wicket shouted) calls the Droads, demons. The Ewoks are under the impression that the boulder and the ‘demons’ are part of a Dulok trap. Duloks being the sworn enemies of the Ewoks.
Threepio (which I don’t believe is shorter but it saves one pinky extension) speaks the Ewoks’ language. He calls it an obscure dialect of the inner Zuma region. Artoo speaks in sound effects, which couldn’t have been fun to type.
The Droids are looking for Prince Plooz, if the prince doesn’t get back, two worlds will go to war. Kneesaa believes that Plooz is the Star Child. The Ewoks thought he was a good omen, for the upcoming peace talks. The two Ewoks and the Droids head to the Ewok village, to warn them.
And at the Ewoks Tree Top Village. The choosen village elders are on their way to the treaty site. They lost the star child, as he is eating honey, straight from a giant barrel. Chief Chirpa instructs them to give the prince, a bath. Plooz doesn’t care for it. Plooz doesn’t speak their language, so the poor child is just having these events happen to him.
Shortly. Wicket and Kneesaa and the Droids get to the village but no one is around. They look for Logray’s Hut, who is their medicine man. I guess he isn’t that important to bring to a peace talk – which makes sense. Logray strikes the Droids, as he also believes they are demons.
Logray shares the prophecy, that a blinding flash of light will bring good fortune to the Ewoks this day.
At the Peace Treaty Meeting Place. The Duloks see the elder Ewoks about to cross the bridge and prepare to undo the bridge. We can see that the sun is shining bright (that will be useful in a bit).
Before they can destroy the bridge, Chief Chirpa announces that a star child has come to Endor. The Duloks snatch the star child (who looks very panicked) and declare that they now own the child. Gorneesh threatens to throw the child off of a cliff unless the Ewoks leave, which they do. As they go over the bridge, Gorneesh’s second in command starts cutting the bridge.
Nearby. The Droids and the two younger Ewoks witness what is happening. Threepio comes running and the sun light bounces off of him and he appears to be glowing. This scares away the Duloks, so Threepio was the actual omen of Logray’s prophecy.
The prince wants to join his droid amigos but the bridge is unsafe. Luckily, handy Artoo is near and has rope, so the bridge gets fixed. The prince starts bouncing across and almost falls but Wicket makes a hero dive and saves Prince Plooz.
Threepio tells the Ewoks the story of Plooz’s father and the pending war.
A Race in Time!
Part Two of the Demons of Endor
The Ewoks wave goodbye and the trio fly off. They reenter the time void. King Gokus (Plooz’s father) threatens to end King Zornog, as he hasn’t return Plooz yet. General Sludd (who is betraying Gokus) is pleased with himself. He hopes the two kings kill each other and their respected empires are each to conquer after that.
Threepio states that only minutes have passed, so that’s a relief. The droids pilot the ship directly for the royal city, as Sludd’s ship gives chase. They land in front of the palace. Gokus comes running out, Plooz exits the ship, super excited to see his father – with the biggest grin ever that makes me smile.
Sludd tries to claim that the droids kidnapped the prince but the prince doesn’t let that stand. Good thing Artoo is around as he has Sludd’s original threatening message about his traitorous intentions.
The ends with C-3PO holding a sleeping, and happy, Plooz.
A pretty cute comic.
I’m not sure when I will be able to watch Star Wars Episode 7 : The Force Awakens but it looks amazing!
Writer Brian Michael Bendis
Artist Valerio Schiti
Colorist Jason Keith
Letterer VC’s Cory Petit
Spartax. The issue opens with Quill shouting that the delegates need to get to safety. Rocket can’t believe that crazy has followed Quill to his home planet.
Gamora recognizes the planet that now orbits Spartax, is it Kindun. Which I don’t recognize as something. Gamora states that the person who controls Kindun, hates her adopted father – Thanos, and is here to attack her.
Kitty (and me) needs someone to do a quick recap on Kindun.
http://marvel.wikia.com/Kindun_%28Earth-616%29
Okay, this concept has only been around since Guardians Team-Up 2, and five came out recently (when I typed this originally). Kindun is the name of the guy who hates Thanos, and he also named the planet after himself.
Kindun has enlisted the Chitauri, who I only know from the Avengers film. I thought they were just the Ultimate version of the Skrulls, making the word – Skrull – a dirty slang word but that must no longer be the case. Or maybe it is, but in the Ultimate Universe and in the Proper Marvel Universe, they are their own race.
Gamora flies off to confront Kindun. Drax is fighting along side the Royal Spartax Guard.
Quill starts making a plan and Agent Venom arrives and joins the fight. Drax and Venom will stay on Spartax proper and Quill, Pryde and Rocket will follow Gamora’s lead.
Kindun, the Living Planet. Probably no relation to Ego. Gamora is ripping through fools. Kindun is connected to the planet, so he feels the damage Gamora is doing.
Spartax Royal Guardens. Groot is fighting off the aliens. We see Cosmic Kitty has a new form. I’m still pretty sure she isn’t the mysterious lady that will be featured in A-Force – which is a real shame. Pryde is getting used to Groot’s language.
I guess the away team didn’t leave as Quill had to tell Groot the plan. Venom is really letting Quill know that the surface fight is nothing more than a distraction.
Pryde makes sure Quill has a real plan and he says he does. I do like them calling each other “dear” and “honey.” Pryde’s cosmic form, looks like how it did at the beginning of Black Vortex, when we were given everyone’s enhanced form.
Kindun, the Living Planet. Gamora appears beaten so Kindun, the dude, tells everyone to stop the beating. She bounces back to her feet, she makes a big speech about how he needs to release his anger towards her. She will kill him, if he doesn’t leave her alone. He sends his forces at her and she just starts slaying them. She will kill Kindun and then her father but she rather just kill her father.
The away team gets closer to Kindun, except that it seems to be getting farther away from them as they approach.
The Chitauri are fleeing, which isn’t like them.
Gamora tells them that the fight is over. Rocket wants to kill some fools but Pryde tells him to calm down. Gamora has defended an entire planet and defeated an entire planet, this has been some day!
Gamora tells them that she has to leave.
Gamora being with the Guardians, has brought more fights than it has brought success. Gamora wants to take the fight to Thanos, as she can’t do that with all of these distractions. She loves the team and can’t bear to repeat that she is leaving to Groot, so she wants them to do it.
The Planet Spartax. The delegates are so thankful as Quill has saved the planet, and it is only his first day as acting President.
Quill wants a moment alone away from the delegates.
I really adore this last page and we learn that this is the last issue of Bendis’ Guardians of the Galaxy.
Prydc asks Quill want he wants to do. He only really wants to go to a beach and look at Pryde, which is awesome. She’s okay with whatever he decides to do, as long as it is the best decision he can make. She is on board with him staying as the President, she’s okay with him being a space pirate, she is all in.
I imagine we will get his decision in Star Lord and AoA Kitty Pryde, which I’m way excited about!
Writer Joss Whedon
Artist John Cassaday
Colorist Laura Martin
Letterer Chris Eliopoulos
Cover Dated November 2006
Torn, Part Five of Six
My son turns two, today, so we are celebrating with one of Pryde’s Pride!
Emma is taking out each member of the team, this is how she handles Kitty.
Colossus and Kitty welcome their new baby boy, Michael. I’m not sure why these two would name their son, Michael. Besides it being an English version of Mikhail, Colossus’ older brother. But that is a horrible person to name your son after, and I’m pretty sure Kitty and Mikhail has never had any panel time together. Which may explain why she would be cool with it, as she doesn’t have any negative implications with the namesake.
Is Logan’s reference to wanting to finally smoke a cigar, a reference to Joe Quesada’s No Smoking policy?
Xavier comes in and Kitty is very proud to to show off her son. Xavier makes a face, like something is wrong.
Years later, maybe only one, Michael is saying “Arigato” which is Japanese for “thank you.” Kitty isn’t sure where he is picking up this language, she figured Russian. She wonders if he has a power like Doug. Colossus quickly shoots that down, which I like that jealousy angle.
Xavier, in a new style hover chair – which doesn’t seem save, if someone pushed him off of it, as his legs are not protected at all. Xavier tells Kitty to get away from Michael.
Kitty, rightfully so, takes offense that Xavier refers to Michael as an, it. The whole team is here, to take away Michael. Including Colossus, who hits Kitty, as Xavier shut down her powers.
Michael, apparently, has some great and terrible power, no one is being specific. Kitty, as a great mother, refuses to allow them to take her child away from her, based off of vague details. Kitty whispers to Colossus to distract them as she makes a run for it. Proving that he is the worst, he hits her.
Kitty has Colossus dead to rights, with an axe currently phased through his head. If he doesn’t tell her where her son is, he is dead. She calls him a, big stupid metal robot – which is is how I feel about robots too.
Apparently, while being force-ably kept from her son, she sung him to sleep every night. This went on for eighteen months, which is forever, in terms of having a baby! Poor Kitty counted the days – five hundred and forty-seven times. For anyone interested, 1.5 years is 13,118 hours.
This is sort of breaking my heart, poor baby Michael went to sleep, 547 times without his mother, at his side.
Colossus reveals that Michael is in the basement and “Emma’s” mind tricks are lifted. Kitty, still in the illusion, heads off to the basement.
SWORD Peak station. Brand is discussing the situation with Sydren. Brand isn’t surprised that it was Emma, who was the traitor, Fury stated that would most likely happen. Sydren states that it feels like Cassandra Nova but not quite like her – which is super helpful.
Agent Deems comes in, and says the mole has a visual. Ord and Danger have teamed up. Brand hates that the Shi’ar are still screwing things up, as Danger is Shi’ar tech, giving life. I’m right there with Brand, Shi’ar have done more harm than good.
The mole checks in, wanting to stop Ord but Brand wants to see this play out. Brand talks directly to the mole, who is . . .
I sort of like how there is a two page spread about NBC’s Heroes, which that first season was so good, especially once Sylar shows up. What I like about the ad is how it builds suspense to the big reveal.
The big mystery since issue eight, who is the mole?, is finally revealed. It is Lockheed! What!?!
Look how boss Cassaday draws Lockheed, that little fella is built like a shithouse!
James wakes up Armor and catches her up. The Pryde girl walked away. Howlett saw Emma’s undercruve silhouette. Armor wants to know about Ms. Pryde, me too!
Kitty starts narrating how family always fails you. I love the phase, the only person you can trust is the one you make.
Kitty gets to the box that her son is in.
Blindfold wakes up Colossus. He is knocked out from when Shaw boxed his stupid ears. She gives him his orders.
Beast, still acting like a mindless animal, has killed a deer and is eating it raw dog.
We get a scene of the New Hellfire Club. Cassandra Nova is getting inpatient.
Kitty thinks to herself, that this is going to be difficult. The box has been made, Kitty-proof. She has 18 months of practicing for this one moment.
Kitty gets her hand into the box, and it is quite painful.
James isn’t use to all of this funny business, like women walking through walls. He knows she went downwards and westerly. Armor swears at him, in Japanese, that he calls “heathen funny talk.” He reminds her that he has claws.
Danger crashes into the room and James and Armor fall backwards. Ord is right behind her.
We get the page that this issue is mostly known for –
James Howlett disappears and Wolverine is back, thanks to beer!
Ord wants Danger to take him to Colossus.
Kitty has saved Michael. Colossus enters the basement but sees Michael.
Instead of a human baby, that we knew wasn’t going to be an actual baby – instead it is a giant green slug. And it is so disgusting that Colossus passes out. This is a hold over from the Morrison run, wherein Cassandra Nova’s essence is trapped in the slug. Which I thought she was stuck in the form of, Ernst, but I could be wrong.
Kitty passes out, from the strain.
Cassandra Nova can’t wait to transfer from the slug form to Kitty – which is a great idea!
So much fun that Cassandra Nova has plans to treat Kitty’s hair better than Kitty already does. She’s wasting it!
Before the Hellfire Club can make a move, Perfection (the fake Emma) is shot by . . . Cyclops! Which ends the issue.
Cyclops makes a reference to issue 14, when Emma told him that he doesn’t have claws, after she dressed him as Wolverine and he attempted to stab her. Instead, it was like a weak punch, I imagine.
. . .
Today is Walker Dennis’ second birthday! I’m so proud of you, son, and everything that you have accomplished!
Thanks to YouTuber Ryan Lewis for hosting his own video.
I’m currently obsessed with this song.
Other artists on the track (and in the video) are – Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz.
My favorite part, is the sweet hook by Eric Nally. I was hoping that – like Mary Lambert’s Same Love, that hook was part of its own song but I haven’t found it.
I like how long the rap is, and how it is like six different songs, strung together.
Everything about it, is great.
. . .
Post 900!
Writer Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils Stuart Immonen
Inker Wade von Grawbadger
Colorist Marte Gracia
Letterer VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Dated January 2013
Lockheed only appears on the cover. Eva is wearing the outfit she wore to the club last issue. She also only appears on the cover.
The Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. Now. Kitty is outside of Beast’s lab. He isn’t answering her summons, which he isn’t even listening as he is back in time.
The very first panel shows Kitty outside of the lab, with no one around. Three panels later, Iceman is right next to her. Where did he come from?
Kitty enters the lab and looks around. She is confused by some of the readouts that are displayed. Iceman knows she is a genius so this is way out of his league.
I like how Beast uses his classic 80s Beast ape man face as the warning screen.
Then. Beast is trying to convince the Original X-Men to come with him. Bobby can’t believe that the guy he knows, Scott, can be responsible for any deaths or destruction.
Beast asks Jean to read his mind, so that she knows he is telling the truth. This is shocking to her, as she didn’t know she could read minds. She was just a basic telekinesis type at this point.
Warren starts asking why Beast can’t talk to his time era Xavier. Beast takes a beat and then tells them that Cyclops killed Xavier. I really like the panel where they hear this with the broken glass effect before their heads.
Scott is just shock by all of this news.
Beast talks to his younger self, trying to convince him of the stakes involved. He even swears on their mother, which poor Hank doesn’t even know that an alternate timeline version of himself will later masquerade as him and kill his entire living family. I would leave that out too, if it was me.
Warren wants to know why Beast doesn’t just kill Cyclops, as he killed Xavier. Beast tells him that he refuses to take anymore lives.
Beast goes outside and has another attack. The Original Five are in costume now and agree to go to the present, just to investigate the claims.
Once there, they are amazed by the size and appearance of the school. Jean wants to know why the school is named after her now.
There is a double page house ad for Amazing Spider-Man 700. Don’t worry, Spider-Man comes back it takes a year and a half, but still.
Wolverine is teaching a class about what to do when fighting a ninja master. He then gets a whiff of a scent and leaves the room. Wolverine jumps at the Original Five X-Men, and Jean holds him in the sky and Scott optic blasts him. Bobby freezes him.
Storm, Kitty and Iceman all come out and are not pleased with what they see.
Then the Two Robert Drakes meet :
Pretty fun. Bendis knows, even at the start, to limit Bobby to just two great moments per issue.
Beast has another attack, this one freaks out Hank.
Kitty is the only one, besides Hank, who knows her way around the lab.
Storm tells them that Reed Richards and Tony Stark have messages for them to respond quickly. She mentions Horizon Labs, which I’m not familiar with. It is the place that Peter Parker works at that where Doctor Octopus once he is ‘Peter Parker’ excels at.
Iceman looks at the Original X-Men, wanting to know what they were told. Scott says that he is there to speak to his older self. Something that even in the present day, hasn’t really happened outside of a few lines.
Wolverine takes the ‘little X-Men’ to the study. Jean makes him fall asleep and it looks just like how our son, Walker Dennis, sleeps now :
Jean reveals that Wolverine’s thoughts are that he wants to send them back immediately but also that Beast is his new hero.
Scott still can’t believe he killed his mentor. They see Cyclops on the news. Bobby can’t believe televisions are not better in the future.
She also reveals that Wolverine runs the school. Bobby can’t believe a guy like that, with claws, will run a school.
Hank knows that his present day self is dying. That’s why he risked time itself to bring them forward.
Scott wants to really meet himself and have a nice chat. Bobby knows that Cyclops is seeking new mutants, so maybe they should. Just then a news reporter states a new mutant has been found at the University of Dallas, so they take the Blackbird and away they go.
Kitty enters the room and sees only Wolverine sleeping away.
Issue ends with the X-Men watching the Blackbird fly away. He can’t believe Jeannie is around again.
Not sure when I will review the third issue but it has been great to go back to these early issues of All New X-Men.
Writer Charles Soule
Artist Ariela Kristantina
Colorist Sonia Oback
Letterer VC’s Cory Petit
The Changling, One Hour Ago. Mystique is watching a new section (to us) of Destiny’s video. Destiny is explaining how crucial the final steps are, to bring her back. There will be a lot of improvising.
Poor Lady Deathstrike is holding onto Shogun.
Mister Sinister comes at Mystique, so hard. She starts talking and he grabs her by her lying dumb mouth.
X23 wakes up Daken, he wants nothing to do with Sinister and wants to just leave. X23 is under the impression if they all defeat him, Mystique will get them home. As they are currently in the middle of the ocean. X23 wants a progress report on Shogun from Lady Deathstrike, She informs the spawn of Wolverine that Shogun is dead.
Ogun, in awesome page turn reveal, tells her that he leaves. Which is so fantastic!
Lady Deathstrike thought Fang killed Ogun but he just pushed him way down. Sharp was finally at death’s door so Ogun was able to finally do what he has been wanting this entire time, and take control over the body. Ogun really enjoys Lady Deathstrike, which I like seeing a more romantic side of him. If, romantic, is the right word.
I really enjoy Lady Deathstrike’s disbelief of the situation. She has two dudes, well two minds, sharing one body, fighting over her to be her gentleman companion. Ogun’s stakes are pretty low, if he dies, he will get a new body and if Sinsiter dies, that’s one more impressive death to add to Ogun’s vita.
While talking to Mystique, Sinister gets a s-word through the chest and Mystique drops to the ground. She shouts that everyone should get to the ship. Which I guess wasn’t destroyed in the crash. There was a giant explosion but everything, once the dust settled, was pretty much the same. That’s some impressive construction!
Sinister recognizes that the person he is fighting, should be the soldier, Sharp. Ogun corrections him, Sinister is facing – The Father of Blades. Which I imagine sounds cool on the page but I’m feeling like I have to give a lot of emphasis on it, to give it the proper weight.
Ogun claims to be the demon that caused Sinister nightmares as a child. Sinister, in possibly the coolest line of the year, tells Ogun that he was never a child.
Ogun cuts off the fingers of Sinister’s left hand and Sinister is barely impressed.
Mystique gets the Wolverines back together and starts giving orders. Sabretooth can’t believe he killed Junk, he has no memory of it. Lady Deathstrike is to watch Sabretooth. Mystique keeps calling him, Shogun, and Lady Deathstrike hints that is no longer Shogun but Mystique doesn’t have time to ask follow-up questions. X23’s orders are to grab the contents of a red chest in Mystique’s room. Daken is to check on Siphon.
X23 opens the chest and sees that old costumes are in it but it looks like a wedding dress, to me.
There is a great Marvel tribute to Herb Trimpe’s passing. 1939 – 2015, in memory of a Giant among Legends. So true!
Mystique, as X23, tells Daken that they should fight Sinister. Mystique gives Portal the Zhulong, a dagger like item that will let him teleport anywhere. So he agrees to help her, also, he doesn’t want Sinister to kill him.
Elsewhere. Siphon bites Daken and he puts a collar on Siphon.
Ogun mistakenly tells Sinister how Ogun was so smart to take over Sharp’s body, once it was almost lifeless. Sinister injects Ogun with the same serum that released Endo, Neuro and Skel from their sooner-than-expected expiration dates.
Sabretooth still can’t believe he killed Junk, he suspects that Mystique had a hand in that. X23 interrupts Sabretooth and Lady Deathstrike’s conversation to tell them that she is really done this time with Mystique.
Siphon obsorbs Sinister’s healing factor, which I didn’t see coming! I should have, as Sinister bragged earlier about how his healing factor rivals even Wolverine’s! And that guy survived an atomic bomb explosion!
I like how, once the serum kicks in, Sharp takes control of the body and the mask is back to being broken. When Ogun was in charge, the mask was for real.
Sinister doesn’t recognize Siphon.
It looks like Shogun (Sharp?) cuts off Sinister’s head. Siphon is back to being able to speak, and if he isn’t hurt – to badly – he shouldn’t have to feed for months. So, of course, he is shot multiple times.
Shogun and Daken are not happy with this turn of events but Mystique just has Portal teleport them elsewhere.
X23, Sabretooth (who is colored blue throughout this issue, but not everytime) and Lady Deathstrike arrive on the scene. X23 wants to know where the others were teleported too. Portal just teleports them to that location as well.
Issue ends with Portal teleporting the two of them to the Nexus of All Realities and he warns that the Nexus has a guardian. Which I already know who that guardian is, but the last page shows up Man-Thing! All who know fear, burn at Man-Thing’s touch!
So that ends the Sinister plot, and I imagine the final issue leads us into Secret Wars 2015?
I can’t believe I didn’t think about how the Nexus of All Realities, in Florida, would play some role in Secret Wars 2015, that just makes sense! I’m glad the series got back on track and it was so great to see Ogun back in charge, even for a little bit! I can only imagine Ogun/Sharp/Shogun appear in the final issue. Here is hoping!
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Shadow and Flame with Magik 