I really like Sabino’s commitment to making their speech balloons are upside down, along with them. AoA Shadowcat and Peter Quill are blaming each other, for their present situation.
Gambit corrects them, they are both to blame. Gambit, correctly, assumes that Quill is Pryde’s sidekick. He denies, this, though he is willing to be Thor’s sidekick.
Gambit likes to remind Pryde of their time together in Higher Avalon. I like how he wants to put a Spider-Man mask, on her. They make references to the other domains, as they are in the know.
There is a huge KLANG and Gambit goes to investigate.
Shadowcat explains why she is powerless against Widget. When God Doom created Battleworld, he knew he would be having duplicated heroes. I guess he also figured they would eventfully meet and wanted to make sure that any fights, will have to be bad arse.
Look at those various Shadowcats! A teenage one, maybe from House of M. Ultimate Shadowcat. Black Queen, from Mutant X – so great! AoA Shadowcat, in the center, as she is the star of this series. Widget, from the Proper Marvel Universe or that one from the Uncanny X-Force storyline when they went to the Captain Britain Corps (Otherworld). issues 20 – 23. Proper Kitty Pryde, from the costume and the awesome Lockheed! Finally, there is a Tigra Shadowcat, which is pretty fun.
Quill gets a plan, since Widget is a Kitty Pryde, it should be attracted to him – so he starts a flirtmance.
He sings, as he always does, Once Upon A Dream – from Cinderella.
Thanks to YouTuber DisneyMusicVEVO for hosting the video.
It totally works and Widget and Quill kiss!
Gambit comes back, he couldn’t find anything except for a tacky white jacket.
Since it worked, Widget has let StarKat go. Shadowcat tries to stab Gambit, we are told more about the actual mission in Avalon. Gambit stole the Sword of the Knight Crawler (get it?) so that must be how he screwed her over. The knife she tried to use, was one of the Longshot knives so it bounces off of Gambit. It bounces from Gambit, off of Shadowcat, off the head of a statue of God Doom, nearly misses Widget and it slices Quill’s right arm.
What a fun and soft homage to Uncanny X-Men 141. At first, I didn’t think it was suppose to be that, but the posters of God Doom and Shadowcat’s outstretch arm, seals the deal.
God Doom appears and scares Gambit. I keep typing it “Gabmit” does anyone else do that?
With a nasty upper cut, Gambit is taken out. Shadowcat starts trying to explain the situation. I take it, that she deals more with Valeria, his daughter.
God Doom was really Fun Loving Drax, which I’m sure must be super illegal!
Later. Quill and Drax want to know what has been in the briefcase, this entire time. She reveals what it is . . . A tail! Quill instantly recognizes that it is his old pal, Rocket’s tail! Apparently, there is a rumor that Rocket’s tail is fake, if that makes any sense.
Twenty minutes later, Quill is still hugging the tail. Drax reveals that he left Gambit in front of a defaced God Doom poster, Doom Sux. The Thors arrive, the penalty for defiling the image of God Doom, with a typo, is . . . DEATH! I sort of love the concept of that rule book, with that cause in it.
Shadowcat wants the tail back. Quill, in a very touching moment, doesn’t want to depart with it. It is the only piece of home he has, plus of his friend, that he has seen in forever. Shadowcat can relate, as she isn’t home either. Quill tries to hand it over, but she lets him keep it.
Look how happy he is! This comic (and series) has been so great. Quill proceeds to try to ruin the moment.
Pryde can’t resist anymore, all of that disgust has turn around to attraction. He guesses at what it was, that turn her.
It was his puppy dog eyes. She does love that song, good thing Disney films are everywhere. Pryde leaves, stating that she hopes he doesn’t get himself killed.
Drax hears Quill’s real name, as he was using “Steve Rogers” as an alias. Drax knew he wasn’t a variant of Captain America, as Rogers has never had a singing voice.
Issue ends with the two guys joking, Quill wants an army of Rockets.
This has been one of the best series to come out of Secret Wars 2015. From the writing, to the art, to the coloring, the atmosphere has just been pure fun.
Pizza My Heart. Best Slice in the Manhattan Domain. Shadowcat has Quill handcuffed to her arm. We get our first glimpse of . . . The Mutdroids!
The Mutdroids are awesome! These are robotic New Mutants – Cannonball, Dani Moonstar, Warlock, Magik and Sunspot. Shadowcat is not intimidated by these foes. She slices Sunspot’s knees, which is awesome.
Quill is trying to understand why Shadowcat is working for Doom.
This Shadowcat is intense! Cannonball comes . . . cannonbaling towards the non-couple, and Shadowcat opens the microwave and melts the young man from Kentucky.
Quill is trying to explain to Shadowcat that Battleworld is a fake, he is from the previous world, and knows that Doom has masterminded this world’s creation.
Quill gets in the fight, flinging pizzas around the place. Shadowcat phase punches Dani to her dumb robotic face. So fun having Dani say “malfunction..the focused totality of my psyyyychic powwwwwers” even though that isn’t the thing she says – that would be Psylocke but I love that silly expression.
We get a slight tease of a Shadowcat v Magik fight but it is over, off panel.
Quill takes the time to see the similarities between this Shadowcat and his fiance, Kitty Pryde. He can’t help falling in love, though she frightens him.
We do see that Shadowcat has pushed her claws through the bottom of Magik’s head and straight through her eyeballs.
Warlock shows up, upset that all of his friends are dead. Shadowcat notices that he is speaking with nouns, so she shreds into him. Doug was using Warlock like a suit of armor. She forces him to reveal where Gambit is. He tells her Gambit is at the museum. Shadowcat and Quill start walking away when Doug makes the fatal mistake of recognizing Shadowcat. She can’t let him live, and snikts him through the chest. Warlock is sad and self-destructs. Selfgoodbye.
The Union of Doom Square. Later. Shadowcat wakes up, to discover that Quill has undone his handcuff. She is impress that he didn’t run off. She saved him, so he felt obligated to stick around.
Since the stakes are low, they take the time to chat. This issue can be broken down into three parts, the first opening battle. This nice scene in the Square and the final one, but I really adore all three of them. This is such a great issue.
Shadowcat asks about her counterpart, Quill really loves her. The coloring in this issue, is outstanding. Kholinne makes the issue look light hearted and fun.
Shadowcat asks if the two ladies are the same, and Quill is far to quick to say that they are nothing alike. This, naturally, offends her.
I can’t believe we got an issue where Kitty Pryde killed both Magik and Doug Ramsey! At least there wasn’t a scene where she strangled Lockheed!
They get heated, which is also fun to see. She’s a freakin’ psycho. He’s a lousy singer and she isn’t good at kissing.
I like the very real quiet beat there, for the top panel. The two let the moment rest, probably replaying the previous minutes, in their heads.
Quill needs to have the situation explained to him. Kitty can’t request backup, as she is on a renegade mission. Doom has two hands – one hand with Science, the other, Law. The two often collide.
Shadowcat confirms that she is from the Kingdom of Apocalypse, so now we know that she is the AoA Shadowcat – or some version of that one. If she didn’t go work for Doom, everyone in the region would be killed.
Shadowcat allows Quill to walk away but he is committed to follow this through. This doesn’t thrill her, at all.
The Doomenheim Museum. Quill isn’t impressed that Doom made himself a museum. Shadowcat has to explain that Doom had nothing to do with it, Doom doesn’t care about any of this nonsense. She phases the two of them through the ceiling, which the falls excites Quill. Who lets out a giant scream, when they are on a covert mission?
They fall to the ground, she falls on top of him and they look like they are about to kiss.
Shadowcat pulls away, as she sees Gambit’s bag, with the lock of hair in it. She opens the bag to reveal . . . WIDGET!!! That’s right, ya’ll, Humphries straight up brought Widget back! So awesome!
Widget is able to cancel Shadowcat’s powers, which informs her that Widget is an alternate version of herself. Quill doesn’t know how to make of this. Gambit, who I haven’t enjoyed this much – in years – waltzes in.
Issue ends with Gambit revealing that he wants to add Shadowcat to his own collection. So creepy! but understandable – still creepy!
Such a great series! By far, the best series to come out of Secret Wars 2015 – including the mains series, itself.
I was really hoping that the Action Figure variant was going to be this Kitty Pryde but it makes sense that Quill gets the first action figure variant. I’m hoping she gets the next one. This comic isn’t quite the ride I thought it was going to be.
As of Secret Wars 2015 4, Quill is still with the Proper Marvel Universe Characters – Spider-Man, Black Panther, Reed Richards, Captain Marvel and Thor. So I’m not sure how Quill separates from the main group, to make this issue possible. Maybe issue five explains that.
Issue opens in a nightclub. The bartender wears a shirt that resembles Black Bolt’s symbol. Quill is a lounge singer. In this region, no one knows Disney songs, so he comes off like a genius. Quill recounts the end of the universe, he doesn’t quite understand how all of this happen. We are suppose to ask Reed, if we want answers. He says that “in the chaos, he got separated” so that might be all the explanation that we get. Not sure how Secret Wars 2015 4 delayed this title, so much, as it seems like this one page doesn’t spoil nor tie in, to the series, at all.
Quill is in Manhattan, so it must be on that region of Battleworld. A lady offers to buy him a martini, but he turns it down.
Outside, a Drax with a hair style that will put Conan O’Brien’s hair to shame, it is so high! Drax calls Quill “Steve Rogers” as it was the first name Quill could come up with. Doom’s goons are looking for him, so he has to go by a different name. Drax knew a Steve Rogers, from a few domains over. Which is an odd comment, as I thought no one was suppose to know about the other domains. This Drax likes to tell jokes like how the proper one likes to fight.
We get to the co-star of the title! Look at that dress, it is clearly inspired by the Proper Kitty Pryde’s cosmic upgrade. There have been interviews stating that this is suppose to be the Age of Apocalypse Shadowcat, but I’m not sure if that is obvious, with this issue.
Kitty Pryde is here to meet with someone. That person is . . . Gambit, the Collector!! Gambit has ordered a St. Croix. Which Google only tells me there is a bottled water but maybe I’m not doing a search right. Kitty wants to keep this, strictly business. Gambit states that she is an agent of Valeria Von Doom’s Foundation, so that makes sense, as AoA Shadowcat was leading Generation Next. This does make me want to track Runaways better, but she wasn’t mentioned or seen, in the first issue of that series.
Shadowcat is after an anomaly, and Gambit wants his reward. He hands her a lock of hair, the origin of the hair is unknown. She also calls this “Doomforsaken Manhattan.” Since the Foundation doesn’t know the origins, it proves that the Gospel of Doom may not be completely true. The students of the Runaways title, come from various regions – so they know what is up. Plus, Valeria lives with God Doom, so she sees him – all the time.
Gambit’s reward? Longshot empowered blades, made from his very own bones! That’s pretty intense! Gambit takes back the lock of hair, apparently.
Quill is about to start his next set, we see that Strong Guy is part of her band. Not sure who the wolf guy is and maybe that is Polaris, with the green hair?
Quill starts to sing, Once Upon A Dream, from Sleeping Beauty. Which is the song he sung, before proposing to the Proper Kitty Pryde.
Thanks to YouTuber LordDaine, for hosting this video!
Which is something that you get, when you have the same writer write the Secret Wars Tie In series, that wrote Quill’s last series. Good for you, Humphries!
Quill then sees Kitty Pryde!
I love reading Quill’s mental commentary. Kitty is the best lady in the galaxy.
Firmansyah does a good job of recreating many of Paco Medina’s moments. I’m surprised her wearing the banana costume didn’t make it.
Quill leaves the stage, so fast!
Gambit tries to make a move on Kitty but she pops some metal claws – so that should be enough to prove she is AoA Shadowcat. How she isn’t dead, is beyond me but I’m also cool with it.
Gambit and Kitty did hook up, once in New Avalon but Kitty is quick to tell him – that was a mistake.
Quill tells Gambit to back off. Gambit isn’t happy that Kitty brought someone.
Kitty doesn’t recognize this blonde fellow. I really do wish that we saw Gambit take back the lock of hair, I feel like this is an important story beat, but wasn’t shown.
Gambit charges the champagne bottle and throws it at the non-couple. Drax, is the club owner. Gambit quickly throws the Longshot blades, so he didn’t get to keep them long.
Strong Guy is the drummer of the band. Storm is at the club, she was enjoying a drink.
Kitty wants Gambit to be stopped, but he is too quick. Kitty is worried about the backlash of Valeria, who for all purposes, is the daughter of God Doom. So I would be afraid of her wrath, as well. The hair is gone as are the blades. Quill doesn’t pick up on the importance of what is happening.
Quill, gets caught up in the moment, and kisses Kitty.
She does not like that! His face gets punched, so hard! His blood falls on the machine, that detects origins.
Issue ends with Kitty learning that Quill is a living anomaly. She handcuffs him to her and starts running towards Doomgard. The last place Quill wants to be!
Comics Should Be Good are running the votes for Top Female Comic Creators, and I just can’t up with ten writers and artists, I mostly know female colorists. So I thought I would at least promote the creative women that I’ve grown fond of over the years.
Writers – Devin Grayson and Gail Simone, both are mostly DC writers but both have written for the X-Men or X-Related projects. Kathryn Immonen is another great female writer as in Marjorie Liu. Of course, Ann Nocenti needs to be named, fantastic editor but famous for her Daredevil run. Also, legendary Louise Simonson. Kim Yale is a good writer, as well.
Artists – Jill Thompson, Alisson Borges, June Brigman, Elena Casagrande, Emily Warren, Colleen Coover, Vanessa Del Ray, Sara Pichelli, Ariela Kristantina, Sonia Oback, Alti Firmansyah, Yasmine Putri
Inker – Rachel Dodson
Colorists – Christie Scheele, June Chung, Laura Villari, Renee Witterstaetter, Marie Javins, Sasha Kimiatek, Lynn Varley, Michelle Wrightson, Laura Martin, Rachelle Rosenberg and the legend, Glynis Oliver (Wein)
Letterer Janice Chiang
For anyone who wants to vote, voting ends on March 16, here is a handy link
I really need to learn more female creators. I was hoping compiling this list would have given me ten names on both sides. I know we can group Pencilers and Inkers together but that still doesn’t get me to ten.
I went through the 49 pages of Tags that I have on this blog and came up with the above names.
I need three more writers before I can make my list official. That’s a lot more ladies than I thought I have read or seen their work. I really only thought I knew a small handful but look at the artists, alone, is impressive.
Okay, I was going to make a separate post but here is my list –
Ten Writers
Louise Simonson
Ann Nocenti
Marjorie Liu
Devin Grayson
Kathryn Immonen
Kim Yale
Gail Simone
G. Willow Wilson
Kelly Sue DeConnick
Kelly Thompson
I’m being a little cute with those last three. Wilson is writing X-MEN, that I haven’t read and DeConnick is writing Ms. Marvel, that I’ve heard good things. I figured Thompson must be getting a few votes, so I threw her name up there, as I do like some of her columns. I also got those two names from just reading the comments section of the Voting thread, I figured someone had to write some names down that I would recognized, that’s all I was asking for.
Ten Artists
Sara Pichelli
Rachel Dodson
Jill Thompson
June Brigman
Colleen Coover
Ariela Kristantina
Altri Firmansyah
Yasmine Putri
Alisson Borges
Sonia Oback
I will put the results when the final list comes out. Besides the top two artist, I am okay with anyone making the list.
I’m very excited about Simonson and Nocenti’s placement. Actually, I want Liu to place highly on the list too, Immonen, I’ve only read the one thing of hers (AvX vs 6) and I’ve own a few issues of X-Men Evolution, written by Grayson, so I do want all five to be on the list. I can only imagine that the Top Ten of both, will be dominated by American comic creators. That just makes sense with who is voting on the list.
EDIT ON MARCH 16, 2015 –
I felt bad for not including Marguerite Bennett so Kelly Thompson was nice enough to let me edit my list. Good bye, DeConnick and hello Marguerite Bennett! I thought it would be in poor taste to knock Kelly off of her own list, or keep her in the tenth slot, so I bumped her up one. That’s the least I could do.
Ten Writers
1. Louise Simonson
2. Ann Nocenti
3. Marjorie Liu
4. Devin Grayson
5. Kathryn Immonen
6. Kim Yale
7. Gail Simone
8. G. Willow Wilson
9. Kelly Thompson
10. Marguerite Bennett
Ten Artists
1. Sara Pichelli
2. Rachel Dodson
3. Jill Thompson
4. June Brigman
5. Colleen Coover
6. Ariela Kristantina
7. Altri Firmansyah
8. Yasmine Putri
9. Alisson Borges
10. Sonia Oback
Results start on March 21 and I’m now pretty jazzed about it
Sam Humphries is writing a Secret Wars 2015 tie-in series starring the Star Lord that we know and the Shadowcat of the Age of Apocalypse universe! So I guess she isn’t dead now, that is great news! They had a chance to revive her during that last Age of Apocalypse storyline but they didn’t and the series got cancelled. Coincidence? I think not!
The cover is by Yasmine Putri and the interior art is by Alti Firmansyah
Alti Firmansyah, with the first issue cover by Yasmine Putri.
Shadow and Flame with Magik 