We are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Marvel Mangaverse with brand new stories.
Issue opens with Doctor Strange trying to save the day, and that causes this Earth and its Negative Zone to mix. In doing so, several hundred people were giving visions of a bad future, but no one person got a full image of it.
Laura Kinney, Weapon X-Tremis, has mutated her body so that she can hold the Phoenix Force, as of course the Phoenix Force is involved in this.
She’s opposed by her old friend, Illyana Rasputina, Legion. Laura becomes tech is the solution, and Illyana believes magik is the solution.
Another old friend, Miles Morales, Spinja, he’s still trying to find a name that sticks. Pun intended.
He believes the Spider-Clan is the solution, and wants his old friends to stop fighting.
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Miles was told by Master Wong that Illyana was trapped in Limbo by Yokai. Legion (Illyana) creates a very cute purple Yokai (Lockheed), and I was already loving this issue, and then I truly loved this issue.
Apparently creating a Yokai is forbidden, and punishable by death.
I like working Ezekiel into Miles’ mythos here. Remember Ezekiel and Spider-Totems? Joe Kelly does.
I also like that Illyana creates Bamfs to help out. We’re getting all of the cuties here.
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Illyana summons the Crimson Engine Infinite Battle March Yokai-God Cyttorak, so even here she has a friend in Juggernaut.
I like Miles summarizing the differences here. Illyana is with demons, and Laura is with technomancy.
To combat Cyttorak, Laura summons an X-Man, Illyana’s dead brother, Colossus. Which is a line that can never be uncrossed.
So these two are not going to get along going forward.
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We get another match up between Laura and Illyana with Lockheed, as we see Cyttorak and Colossus fighting behind them.
This comic just looks cool.
Miles is determined to stop all of this nonsense.
Laura is about to embrace the Phoenix vessel when . . . she gets sniped to the head.
By the SCARLET SPIDER!!! Who is Miles on a name that he believes will stick now, as he wraps the planet in scarlet bonds. Or webs, if you will.
Next up in the event, is Iron Knight, where Riri Williams is Iron Heart, and teams up with sorcerer Moon Knight.
I know for a fact that Legion is back at the conclusion issue, web of Destiny, but not sure if she’s involved in the other issues of the event. I do like her book ending the event.
Variant Cover Erik Larsen & Edgar Delgado, Cyborgs Spider-Man & Superman
I have to say, this is exactly what I want in these crossovers. Good main story, and the backups have a fun mix of characters. Nothing, besides the main story, overstays its welcome, and even that, maybe just be three pages shorter so we can get another backup?
Our Kryptonite
Spider-Man & Superman
Writer Brad Meltzer
Artist Pepe Larraz
Color Artist Matthew Wilson
Letterer Clayton Cowles
This comic looks gorgeous, and how could it not be drawn and colored by Larraz and Wilson?
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Spider-Man & Superman wake up together. Superman isn’t at the top of his game, as he’s being poisoned by Kryptonite. Spider-Man doesn’t know what that is, maybe it is like adamantium? Which is cute.
Superman wastes no time x-raying Spider-Man’s waist area to discover an old watch Spider-Man keeps on his belt. Which seems like the worst place for that, with how often Spider-Man is thrown through buildings. But sure.
Spider-Man and Superman exchange some opening jokes which is fun. Superman isn’t great at it, but he’s also poisoned.
They are fighting Lex Luthor and Green Goblin. We get a terrific Spider-Man holding up rubble sequence that we love to see. Spider-Man needs a distraction, which Superman isn’t great with, so asks about motivation. Spider-Man is racked with guilt, that’s what keeps him going.
The Venom symboite is there, for some reason, and Superman and Spider-Man exchange some memories. Then we get Venom-man, which is cool. We also see that Brianiac, Doctor Octopus, Electro, Parasite, Doomsday, and Rhino are there. So, a Sinister Six, plus two, situation.
Still bugs me we didn’t get Michael Keaton in Spider-Man No Way Home, the one chance we had at a live action Sinister Six, and we didn’t get it.
I like Superman using his own heat vision to start the process of getting the symbiote off of him. Then a Hulk inspired thunder clap, and Superman is fully back.
The day is saved.
Queens, New York. Three Weeks Later. Peter Parker is at Uncle Ben’s grave, and gets a visit there by Clark Kent. He keeps a pair of his father’s glasses with him at all times. Which also seems like a bad place for it, with how often he’s thrown through a building.
That Evening. Peter and Aunt May are invited to Smallville? Seems like expensive tickets, but they get a meal with the Kents, so Jonathan is alive, but I guess it is an old pair of glasses.
Ma Kent and May Parker arm wrestle, so that’s fun.
“Metropolis Marvels” Spider-Man Noir & Superman Dan Slot (A) Marcos Martin (CA) Muntsa Vicente (L) VC’s Joe Caramagna
I really like the idea of 30s Spider-Man teaming up with 30s Superman, that’s a fun idea. They are fighting businessman Lex Luthor, who has framed J. Jonah Jameson as the kingpin of crime.
We are treated to a very fun Amazing Fantasy 15 homage, with Superman holding Lex Luthor.
No one lifted a car in this segment.
“Sweethearts”
Gwen Stacy & Lana Lang
Writer Joe Kelly
Artist Humberto Ramos
Color Artist Edgar Delgado
Letterer VC’s Joe Caramagna
Gwen Stacy & Lana Lang at Empire State University, New York. They are talking about their similarities and differences, as well as those things about the men in their lives, Peter Parker and Clark Kent.
Superman fights Sandman, and Spider-Man fights Metallo. I think.
Lana redeems all red heads for Gwen, which is cute.
Clark shows up, covered in sand, and Peter shows up all wet. Which is funny.
“Identity War”
Mysterio vs Superman featuring The Thing (and more)
Writer Geoff Johns
Artist Gary Frank
Color Artist Brad Anderson
Letterer VC’s Joe Caramagna
Mysterio and Saturn Queen are making everybody angry with a rage-powered red lantern.
I like that we get a segment with the ever loving blue eye Thing! He has to fight off the Legion of Superheroes.
Spider-Man & Jessica Drew Spider-Woman fight off the Legionnaires.
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Grimm says Cloak & Dagger are X-Force, fighting in Gotham. I’ll chalk this to either (1) Thing doesn’t know who X-Force is, or who Cloak or Dagger are, or (2) Gary Frank doesn’t know, and no one caught it, or (3), the captions and art are not supposed together, as having the Legion of Superheroes and Legionnaires, doesn’t make sense either.
But we also get Power Pack at titans Tower, and we see Miles Morales Spider-Man fighting maybe Rewind and Reel?
Of course, you can’t have a story about people getting angry, and not feature the Hulk.
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Superboy punches Fred Dukes, but doesn’t move him, I like that.
The gathered heroes are – Captain America, Stargirl, Superman, She-Hulk, Hal Jordan Green Lantern, and Thing. So a great group of heroes.
They all fight the Hulk, except for Superman, who is trying to calm Hulk down. The sun is getting real low.
Superman tells Thing that it isn’t always clobbering time, which feels like a real jerk thing to say. Now Ben has to think about that every time before he says it?
I do like the story ending with Ben and Banner eating doughnuts.
“Ghosting”
Hobgoblin vs Steel
Writer Louise Simonson
Artist Todd Nauck
Color Artist Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer VC’s Joe Caramagna
I love whenever Todd Nauck and Rachelle Rosenberg work together, so you know this story looks perfect.
For anyone who might thing Steel is just a guy with a hammer, he’s super smart too, as Hobgoblin keeps trying, but failing, to outsmart him with the tech he’s trying to steal. Or steel.
There is another guy known for a hammer, and we get Thor to help out, which was quite the surprise.
They click hammers like hammer bros do.
“Remarkable”
Ghost Spider & Supergirl
Writer Stephanie Phillips
Artist Phil Noto
Letterer VC’s Joe Caramagna
This was very fun. Is Ghost Spider the type of person to want autographs? That seems more like a Ms. Marvel thing, but Stephanie Phillips would know. She is hoping to see Superman, but gets Supergirl in Metropolis. They don’t get along, which as a reader, I just figure this is how it starts, but we’ll see at the end, them being friends.
They fight Livewire, who seems like a fun villain to pick. Reminds me of the animated series with Supergirl and Batgirl.
Noto does a great drawing everybody, as he does.
Story ends with Supergirl signing the autograph book in a fun callback to the story.
“The One Thing”
Miles Morales & Superman
Writer Brian Michael Bendis
Artist Sara Pichelli
Color Artist Federico Blee
Letterer VC’s Joe Caramagna
This was also a fun story. Miles is bored, then sees a giant explosion. Superman asks for his name, he gives his real name, and oh, Miles. Brianiac is attacking the city, and Superman teaches Miles the most important lesson, showing up is the right thing to do.
This was very short, but tells the full story in like three pages.
“The Wondrous & The Worthy” Symbiotes in Metropolis Jason Aaron (A) Russell Dauterman (CA) Matthew Wilson (L) VC’s Joe Caramagna
Jane Thorster, who must be early in her career as the new Thor, is fighting off symbiotes. Wonder Woman shows up to help. I like Jane having the thought of “say something cool,” and all that comes out is “you’re Wonder Woman.” Which I imagine she gets a lot.
Darkseid has a mix of symbiotes and his cronies.
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Dauterman gets the chance of draw some of his favorites, is what I imagine the script called for. We get – Batman (with packed in sword), Ghost Spider, Superman, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man (the Peter one), Supergirl, John Stewart Green Lantern, and Wolverine, the boy one.
“One of Those Days”
Spider-Man & Superman
Writer Jeph Loeb
Artist Jim Cheung
Color Artist Jay David Ramos
Letterer VC’s Joe Caramagna
This was an interesting choice to end on. Must be days after Gwen’s death, and Spider-Man is having “one of those days.” Superman shows up, and offers some Pa Kent observations. You are born, and you die, neither are up to you. It is what you do that matters.
And you’ll eventually feel better, better is good, but there will be good days, and bad days.
Joe Kelly is by far, one of my favorite Deadpool writers. I owned all of his issues, before downsizing my collection. I’m glad that at least one of his issues stayed in the collection.
This issue deals with the fallout of the incredible, Dead Reckoning, storyline. In it, Deadpool had to fight Captain America so that he could kill an alien messiah so that people could have free will. Thus, everything bad that happens – to anyone – is on him, as humans would have been walking mindless drones. Which is a good thing, that we still have free will but it is a pretty heavy burden to carry.
The issue opens with Deadpool, screaming on Doctor Bong’s (an old enemy of Howard the Duck’s) couch. Deadpool keeps seeing white bunnies and a brunette lady in a purple dress. The brunette is setting up the next storyline.
Deadpool is Doctor Bong’s first patient as he has recently completed his psychology Ph.D. So he is finally a real doctor. Doctor Bong still postures, as it is hard to quit that old habit.
I miss this Deadpool, the one that kept making pop culture references. Sure, the comments with Janet Reno makes the comic a tad dated but I like it.
Doctor Bong does have a suggestion that will help Deadpool’s situation. A hero must die!
Bolivia . . . the former hacienda of a former Bolivan general formerly among the living. I missed Montgomery, whatever happened to that guy? It appears as if he just fades away, which is probably for the best as he had gone through some stuff.
I’m sure I read issue 81, I just don’t recall those later issues as much.
Monty doesn’t recommend Deadpool take Doctor Bong’s advice. Deadpool’s depression is natural after making the decision that he made to save the entire world.
There is a half page ad for Avengers Forever, by Kurt Busiek and Carlos Paceco. Such a great series!
Deadpool thinks it is a good idea as getting in a fight does help clear his head. Deadpool calls his new lady pilot, Ilaney – who I also liked. Deadpool had such a great supporting cast during this run.
The Next Day. Ilaney is practicing her English – she’s Swedish, I believe or German. Deadpool is using his image inducer. They are in Chinatown of San Francisco. Doctor Bong, in full costume, is also present.
We finally get to the reason why I own this issue! Kitty Pryde and Wolverine are guest starring! Seeing Wolverine’s red narration boxes takes me back! He’s inner monologuing about how smells and memories are so well tied. Kitty and Wolverine are there to meet Black Crane, who I don’t recognize as a character.
An old lady shop keeper starts poking Wolverine with a stick. The lady speaks in yellow dialogue balloons, so we know that is Deadpool. S/he implies that Kitty is a prostitute and Logan is her client. Wolverine knows it is Deadpool now.
Wolverine doesn’t view Deadpool very highly even though he has to look up at most people. He asks Kitty to phase the old lady, which she does and now everyone sees Deadpool. Deadpool is embarrassed that now everyone knows about his cross-gender cross-cultural cross-age cross-dressing! So very funny!
This is Deadpool and Kitty’s first meeting! I doubt she has even heard of him, before this moment. He grossly hits on her, which disgusts her.
Wolverine doesn’t have time for this, he has that meeting to get to. Deadpool is trying his best to get Wolverine mad, by insulting Kitty.
Deadpool grabs Logan’s wrist, he wants to be snikt-ed so hard! Logan isn’t taking the bait.
Deadpool knows what to do, and he shoryukens Kitty! She goes flying! It is now . . . ON!
Morocco. We check in on Deadpool’s current financial backer – Alestaire Grunch, who is doing an experiment on a cat. He gets an envelope in the mail and freaks out.
San Francisco. Doctor Bong is having a fight with his lady friend, Barbara. She’s not every understanding nor supportive of his new career choice.
We’re treated to an awesome double page spread, of Wolverine in full feral mode, and Deadpool in full pop cultural references mode.
Deadpool gets the upper hand and puts a knife in Wolverine’s side. This shakes Wolverine out of his feral state.
Kitty is slowly getting up from being sucker punched. Doctor Bong asks her to not get involved in the fight.
Ilaney is shocked by the actions and the people that Deadpool knows, she’s starting to get excited about all of this – which is what Monty was worried would happen. That Deadpool found this lovely and simple lady and is corrupting her.
There is an ad for Power Rangers Galaxy, for anyone keeping track of that. I would have stopped watching by this point. Once Amy Jo Johnson was gone and replaced with Kat who can turn into a cat, I was pretty much done. Outside of that awesome Forever Red episode.
Wolverine and Deadpool are not able to exchange dialogue, which is all Deapdool wanted. Plus, they keep fighting, as they are professionals.
A man says Logan’s name, startling Deadpool and he shoots the guy – the guy was Black Crane, who I definitely don’t recognize.
Bullpen Bulletins. Comics on sale for March 3 –
Cable 67
Captain America : Sentinel of Liberty 9
Daredevil 7
Fantastic Four 17
Spider-Man : Chapter One 0
Thor 11
Uncanny X-Men 368 – Requim for an X-Man! In the aftermath of “The Magneto War,” X-Men past and present gather at Xavier’s Institute for Higher Learning to bid a final goodbye to their fallen comrade. By Alan Davis and Adam Kubert.
X-Men Manga 27
Wolverine checks with Black Crane, he’s going to live. Now that his friend is okay, Wolverine starts to fight Deadpool again.
Deadpool’s vision of the lady and the rabbits (who have been present, off and on) are now just standing around. Deadpool asks Doctor Bong about the meaning of all of this. Doctor Bong tells him that he is on a cusp of a breakthrough and to confront the hallucinations.
Kitty shouts to Wolverine about how she is stuck in a force field. Doctor Bong hits the force field to silence her, and offers to give her therapy to work her daddy issues that she has with Wolverine.
Deadpool doesn’t know where to start with chatting with the hallucinations. They started standing around when Wolverine was going on about the past so Deadpool asks for another story.
Wolverine starts talking for half of a page, all in mid leap! Good for Ilaney for pointing out how odd that is to be able to do. Wolverine is talking about how the past will always come back to haunt, so now Deadpool knows where to start.
Look how great that two page spread is!
Bong hits the force field again and Kitty swears this is the last time she guest stars in a non-X-Book. Look at Kitty getting into the fourth wall breaking fun!
Doctor Bong starts psycho-analyzing Deadpool, helping to explain what must be happening in his mind. All of this is not correct, if I’m remembering the rest of the storyline correctly. Deadpool is about to recognize who the lady is when . . .
Wolverine puts all six claws into Deadpool’s back! Doctor Bong teleports himself, Ilaney and Deadpool away.
Ilaney is worried about Deadpool but he explains that he has a healing factor. Deadpool tells Doctor Bong not to worry about who the brunette is, she broke his heart years ago and is dead now.
Epilogue. Atlanta, Georgia. We see the brunette, her name is Mercedes (I recall that) and she looks like she’s been running or escaping for a while now.
Such a good issue!
Back cover ad is for The Mod Squad movie, when old shows were getting the revamped movie treatment. I didn’t watch it and I don’t recall anyone ever seeing it. I don’t really know the television series either, it isn’t one of those that gets brought up. Claire Danes, Omar Epps and Giovanni Ribsi are the Mob Squad. There was a while there, that I was watching every movie Giovanni was making. I wasn’t seeking him out but he kept coming into films I enjoyed or saw. Josh Brolin is also in it.
Dan Slot (A) Marcos Martin (CA) Muntsa Vicente (L) VC’s Joe Caramagna
Shadow and Flame with Magik 