McNiven

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New Avengers Volume One Issue 8

Posted by John Klein III on December 19, 2016
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

new-avengers-vol-1-8

Writer Brian Michael Bendis

Penciler Steve McNiven

Inker Mark Morales

Artist, Pages 1 – 3 Sal Buscema

Colorist Morry Hollowell

Letterers Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Albert Deschesne

Cover Dated August 2005

Sentry Part Two of Four

I only own this for the last page, which was a double splash page, which features Kitty Pryde.

I really like how the first three pages are made out to be an old school comic.  Having Sal Buscema provide the art, was a nice touch.

These pages are part of the cover story Joe Quesada and Marvel, with the help of Wizard Magazine, did to sell The Sentry.  The story they tried to sell us on was that Sentry was a character Stan Lee created in the early days of Marvel.  With his legendary poor memory, he forgot about the character until someone found the character sheets one day.

The concept of Marvel’s version of Superman, was enough to sell me on giving the original miniseries a chance.  I bought that one and the various one shots that were released.

Marvel had to sell the character as a forgotten Marvel, as that was also the in-universe explanation as he apparently was a mainstay of Marvel.  Something happened and everyone forgot who Sentry was.

Sentry has a dark side, The Void.  The Sentry gets his powers from the sun and Void from the darkness.  Get it?

Onto the issue.

I like that Bendis credits Paul Jenkins, the actual creator of the Sentry, for the original three pages.  It is the least he could do as the final panel of the third page transitions us to a cave wherein Sentry is reading the comic book.  In the cave with the Sentry is – Captain America, Iron Man, comic writer Paul Jenkins and Sentry’s wife, Lindy, who the Sentry believes is dead.

Everyone is confused by the Sentry’s presence.

SHIELD Helicarrier, One Week Ago.  Iron Man is trying to recruit Wolverine to the team.  Iron Man thinks Wolverine joining the team, will help his image.  He needs is as Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. just completed their amazing run that had Hydra kill Wolverine, bring him back and control him.  Enemy of the State / Agent of SHIELD, was the name of the two arcs.

There is an awkward white square that is stapled into the comic right here between the comic page and the ad for the 90s Spider-Man : Venom Saga DVD.

Tony hints that standing next to Captain America, makes yourself want to be a better person.  He needed that when he was hitting rock bottom, which apparently Wolverine doesn’t know about.  Since all of the pep talk isn’t working, Tony decides he will just pay Wolverine to be on the team.

Today.  Long Island.  The Wrecker is tossing Wolverine about a neighborhood.  The only Avenger still standing is Spider-Woman, who I believe is really Veranke, the Skrull Queen with enhancements to give her Jessica Drew’s powers.  She is secretly setting up Secret Invasion, Norman Osborn will kill her a few years from now.

Spider-Woman gets inside Wrecker’s mind, asking him what he really wants out of life.

Arizona.  Lindy is trying to talk to Sentry.  He can’t believe she is alive.  He creates a burst of sunlight and disappears.

The first Fantastic Four film must have just came out as thee are several ads for the film and merchandise for it.

Poor Paul Jenkins fainted.  Sentry is gone.

Bob Reynolds wakes up, grabs some food and watches some television.

Back to Spider-Woman and the Wrecker.  There is an insert for Entertainment Weekly subscription.  I’m glad this practice isn’t still used today.

Wrecker talks long enough for Wolverine to get back into the fight.  He slashes Wrecker’s back.  Spider-Woman uses Wrecker’s magical crowbar, tosses to Luke Cage and he hits Wrecker with it, as well.  Cage decides to keep the crowbar, going forward.  Spider-Man webs up Wrecker, the day is saved.  I keep wanting to type, Wreckler, what is that about?

New Avengers V1 8 Spider-Woman funny

This is a great page!  We learn one of Spider-Woman’s forgotten powers and it is actually a funny moment, too.

Spider-Woman reveals she emits a pheromone.  In the Facebook : Avenges Alliance game, this power emits fear.  Its a waste of a move.  Wolverine was getting dizzy due to it.  Luke Cage was feeling nuts.  Spider-Man’s “I love my wife” is so funny, he’s been having naughty thoughts!  Now that stupid One More Day happened, this page is no longer in continuity.  He probably said, girlfriend, now.

Iron Man tells the team to assembled.

Bob fell asleep in front of the television.  Something I could never do.  I need to have my legs up, I think.  Emma Frost wakes him and tells him to go outside.

New Avengers V1 8 Kitty Pryde

It has always bugged me Kitty’s stance there.  What is she even doing?  Also, what is Emma doing, pointing those guns at Captain America!  Cyclops looks on, approvingly.

Issue ends as The Void is seeping out of Bob.

I had kept issues nine and ten as there was a website that implied that since those issues take place on his front lawn, that Kitty is technically in those issues but if you don’t see her or they don’t mention her, I don’t count it.

I can tell you that after this, Sentry joins the team, so there’s that.

Wolverine Volume Two Issue 70

Posted by John Klein III on June 18, 2016
Posted in: Review, Websites. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

Wolverine V3 70

Writer Mark Millar

Penciler Steve McNiven

Inker Dexter Vines
Mark Morales (Pages 15 & 16)

Colorist Morry Hollowell
Justin Ponsor (Pages 15 & 16)

Letterer VC’s Cory Petit

Old Man Logan, Part Five of Eight

Cover Dated February 2009

This is the only chapter of this famous story, as it is the big reveal of why Old Man Logan quit being Wolverine.

Wolverine 70 Recap

Here is what happened before.  50 years ago, the villains won and America was divided.  The Wolverine is dead, his claws haven’t been popped, since that eventful day.  Logan has been leaving in Sacramento, with his wife and family.

May I say, that I’m a huge sucker for fictional maps?  I love just looking at them, at the landmarks that the map maker deems important.  Then I look at where Yuma, Arizona is – here it is in the Kingdom of the Kingpin (formerly the Domain of Magneto).  The names of cities hold so much potential story and history.  Montana falls in the vast unclaimed area, the Wastleland, I believe they call it in this title.

Logan was living in Hulkland.  To the right of the Wasteland, is Doom’s Lair, next is Clyde’s Pit and lastly, is The President’s Quarter.  Certain villains have cities, along the path that Logan is now taking.

I’m getting ahead of the recap.  Logan is a farmer, and the grandchildren of the Hulk, want Logan’s rent but he is pretty behind.

Clint Barton, the now blind archer – wants his old friend to cross the country with him.  Logan agrees, as long as he doesn’t have to get involved with any violence.  They are heading to New Babylon, which is in The President’s Quarter.  What is in the package, that Clint has to deliver, is another mystery of the storyline.

They have met Moloids and clone tyrannosaurs, they are currently being stalked by the venom symbiote.  At the end of last issue, Logan agrees to tell Clint what happened that day.

Now we are at this issue.

Back in the day, most likely a Tuesday – Jubilee tells Wolverine that every hero team is sending out a distress signal.  The villains are rising up.  There is a huge explosion, and it is on!

There is an ad for the Honda Fit, it breaks up my comic and this review.

Wolverine 70 Kitty Pryde

Now, we get to the panel that got me to buy the issue.  That brunette, in the third panel – telling everyone to get to the evacuation tunnels, that has to be Kitty Pryde, right?  It is her or X23 but I say, X23 would be popping her claws and heading towards the attack.  Kitty would hang back, and make sure the students were okay.  There are not that many brunette X-Women, and not that many with a modest breast size.  Sorry but in a world of Double Ds and larger, normal breasts stand out.

Marvel Database use to list Shadowcat, as being in the issue but I imagine now they don’t list either lady, as there is no way to prove which one it is.  Unless Millar and McNiven have revealed the script for the issue or have been asked.  I say it is Kitty and thus, I own this issue.

There is another panel, that she could be in, later but we’ll get to that one.

comicbookdb has Shadowcat listed for the issue, so they are with me, on this.

http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=157230

http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Wolverine_Vol_3_70

Wolverine V3 70 Dead Villains 1

Wolverine starts to defend the Mansion, by himself.  One would think that the other X-Men will eventually step up.  He’s taking the charge, by himself.

Wolverine kills Doctor Octopus and Klaw, so fast.  Too fast!  Next is Stryfe!

Wolverine V3 70 Dead Villains 2

Then it is these two no names.  Is that suppose to be Demogoblin?

Wolverine slices Silver Samurai’s head, clear off!

After that, he starts asking where everybody is.

Wolverine V3 70 Dead Villains 3

Two students are not sure and Wolverine tells them to get the heck out!

Wolverine then, somehow, slashes Blob but he is so focused on murder, that nothing is sinking in.

Sabretooth and Mister Sinister enter the fray and Wolverine punches Sinister to his face!  Has that ever worked, to the extent that blood comes out of his face?

Wolverine V3 70 Dead Villains 4

Sabretooth and Lady Deathstrike go down.  As do Omega Red, Absorbing Man and Scorpion.  Shocker even tries to do it. as if Wolverine would be easier to kill now that he has killed thirteen other villains.

So great that McNiven got to draw this assortment of villains.  When would he be able to draw Scorpion or Shocker, before this?

There is a double page ad for Spider-Man : Web of Shadows, a game I wanted to play, when it came out.  I recall it didn’t get great reviews.

Wolverine V3 70 Dead Villains 5

The only villain to really put up a fight, is the last one – Bullseye!  They fight for 90 minutes, taking pieces out of each other.

Wolverine straight up thrusts his claws through Bullseye’s chest.

I’m not sure if what is making all of this is possible, was just wearing off or if it was due to Bullseye being the last, but the fog starts to lift over Wolverine’s eyes.  Bullseye calls Wolverine, friend, and this startles Wolverine.

Wolverine is holding Jubilee’s body!  She was Bullseye!  How she was able to withstand a 90 minute fight with Wolverine, is beyond me – much less take chunks out of him.  OR! Even being able to survive one slash of his claws.

Wolverine V3 70 Mysterio Explantation

Turns out, the villains big plan to take the X-Men off the board, was to get the big ol’ dumb Wolverine to do it for them!

I like Mysterio, who is clearly a hologram – giving Wolverine shit for thinking that he could have taken out all of these named villains.

I’m surprised no one has ever had Wolverine face off with Mysterio, after this issue came out – but Mysterio has been off the board, for a while now.  Last I read him, he was involved in Spider-Men, as Mysterio was also, Ultimate Mysterio!

Wolverine 70 Dead X-Men

Wolverine straight up murdered these X-Men!  Gambit, Iceman, Havok (who was Stryfe, as he has no head!).  Colossus, with who I thought was Shadowcat – on his chest but that is clearly Psylocke with her costume (butt sticking out, and all) and the purple tint to her hair.  Cannonball, Storm, Longshot, Beast, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Polaris and even Forge is dead!

Wolverine V3 70 Sad Old Man Logan

We cut to the present and Clint is being a good guy, not judging Old Man Logan for something he is clearly still broken by and it was fifty years ago.

Mysterio was so good that he could even affect the way Wolverine’s senses worked.

After Wolverine killed the X-Men, Logan walked away and kept on walking, for weeks, maybe even months.  Logan decided to kill Wolverine, so he put his head on a railroad track and let a train run it over.  He survived as, of course he did.

There is a hint of what happened to the other heroes, there was a giant battle in Vegas where the heroes fought the villains – and clearly lost.

There is an ad for Bendis / Deodato’s Dark Avengers, a pretty great title in a fun era of Marvel Comics.  I only read issue eight, which was written by Fraction and what part of the Utopia crossover.  Luke Ross was the penciler, so I don’t even own any issues with the main creative team.

Old Man Logan uses this story to emphasis why he doesn’t want to be a fighter, he uses his hands as a farmer.

Dwight’s Toll.  I really like the choice to have a light page, after the bulk of this issue being so heavy on death.  Dwight is a teenager (or maybe a twelve year old boy) who has an Ant-Man helmet.  The kid only wants people to pay him eighty cents, to cross the bridge.  For those who don’t pay – and many don’t, as we can tell from the view from below the bridge – get killed by a million ants.  I do like the idea of this kid, knowing he has picked a silly amount for a toll so he gets to get his fair share of stupid kills but for those who know him (like Clint) they know to take the toll very seriously.

Doom’s Head, Illinois.  Clint apologizes to Old Man Logan, for bringing him on this trip, where hazards are everywhere.

Issue ends with a giant T-Rex, with the Anti-Venom symbiote.

What an intense issue!

Civil War Files

Posted by John Klein III on May 2, 2016
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Civil War Files 1

Head Writer / Coordinator Anthony Flamini

Writers Stuart Vandal, Ronald Byrd, Madison Carter, Michael Hoskin, Chris Biggs, Mark O’English & Mike Fichera

Cover Artists Steve McNiven, Dexter Vines & Morry Hollowell

Cover Dated 2006

Civil War Files Recap

This handbook is written from Iron Man’s perspective, which is a fun take on a handbook.  Marvel will repeat this for the Heroic Age handbook, which was from Captain America’s perspective.  Both of them are the Director of SHIELD, when they write their handbooks.

Iron Man, above, tells the origins of the United States government and the costumed community.

Before we get too far along, my wife owns this cover but as a shirt!

Marvel Civil War T-Shirt

My wife is pretty awesome about, if I buy her a comic book related shirt, she’ll wear it.  Most likely, only to bed, but that works for me.

Other profiles in this handbook are –

Arachne, who I always think of as the second Spider-Woman, Julia Carpenter.  She sides with her fellow Force Works leader, Iron Man.

The Avengers, who are – Luke Cage, Captain America, Iron Man (himself), Spider-Man, Spider-Woman (who isn’t who she says she is), Sentry and Wolverine.

Bishop, who will break ranks from the X-Men and join Iron Man’s side

Cable, who takes Captain America’s side

Luke Cage, who will be Captain America’s deputy leader

Captain America, leading the right side of the Civil War

Daredevil, who isn’t who he says he is

Deadpool, who is on Iron Man’s side

Falcon, who is naturally on Cap’s side

Goliath, who will not make it out of this event

Green Goblin, who is two events away from being the Director of SHIELD . . . or HAMMER in his case.  Now that I think of it, I’m pretty sure Osborn got his own handbook too.  It was called “Dark Reign Files” and it featured nothing but villains, so I didn’t keep it.  Cap got two handbooks, Heroic Age : Heroes and Heroic Age : Villains.

Hercules, who was on Cap’s side

Human Torch, I imagine all four members got their own profiles as they were pretty divided during Civil War.  Johnny went to Cap’s side

Invisible Woman, stuck with her husband, Reed but eventually went to Cap’s side

Iron Man, lead the wrong side of the Civil War

Reed Richards, who was Iron Man’s deputy leader

Ms. Marvel, Carol Danvers, was on Iron Man’s side

Moon Knight, who I don’t recall which side he went on.  His profile ends with Iron Man not knowing which side he will end up on.

New Warriors, who foolishly set up the beginning of Civil War with their silly reality show antics

Nitro, who also setup the beginning of Civil War

O*N*E who had the simple job of standing in giant Sentinels that were operated by flatscans, in front of the Xavier Institute.  Not to protect the X-Men, mind you, or mutants but to be a presence and to block the view.

The 198, the non X-Men mutants, who came to the school after the events of House of M, better known as M-Day

Punisher, who was on Cap’s side

Quicksilver, it is this profile that I finally noticed that Cap’s side got Wanted posters and Iron Man’s side get registration cards.  Moon Knight was on the wanted side, as is Quicksilver.

Runaways, who are – Chase, Karolina, Molly, Nico, Old Lace (!), Victor and Xavin.  I think they were mutual

Sentry, who was on Iron Man’s side

SHIELD, who were naturally on Iron Man’s side

She-Hulk, who was on Iron Man’s side – now I fee like my memory isn’t being tested now that I know the secret to this handbook

Speedball, who directly lead to this event along with his New Warriors

Spider-Man, who started on Iron Man’s side but switched to Cap’s

Thing, who stayed mutual

Thunderbolts, who were on Iron Man’s side

Wolverine, who hunted Nitro and was on Iron Man’s side

X-Factor Investigations, who all registered

Civil War Files X-Men 1 Civil War Files X-Men 2

Lockheed gets an image!  His powers are Empath, Flight and Fire Breath

Shadowcat (Katherine “Kitty” Pryde) gets one too!  If you look closely, Lockheed is in her picture too!  Her powers are transforms her body into intangible state.

The X-Men stay pretty neutral during the event

Yellowjacket, Hank Pym, was on Iron Man’s side

Young Avengers, who were – Hawkeye, Hulkling, Patriot, Speed, Stature, Vision and Wiccan.  Their spotlight reads like they also stayed neutral

. . .

This is how we’re kicking off our Civil War portion of this month!  I already reviewed Cable and Deadpool 30 but I have a few more titles with the traditional Civil War quarter cover design.

 

New Avengers Finale

Posted by John Klein III on November 10, 2015
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

New Avengers Finale

Writer Brian Michael Bendis

Pencilers Bryan Hitch with Stuart Immonen

Inkers Butch Guice with Andrew Currie & Karl Story

Colorists Paul Mounts with Justin Ponsor & Rain Beredo

Letterer Chris Eliopoulos

Flashback Artists – David Finch, Danny Miki, Frank d’Armata, Steve McNiven, Dexter Vines, Morry Hollowell, Olivier Coipel, John Dell, Mike Deodato Jr., Joe Pimental, Dave Stewart, Leinil Yu, Mark Morales, Laura Martin, Bryan Hitch, Rain Beredo, Billy Tan, Matt Banning, Justin Ponsor

Cover Dated June 2010

Jessica got the cover treatment!  Looking at the credits, I’m not sure which other pages Immonen and his team did, besides the very last page.  I suspect he may did any pages with Jessica (as she isn’t part of the action) but those pages still look like Hitch.  Maybe it is the inkers throwing me off but I’m not sure.  The final two page splash are the only pages that look like Immonen.

This issue starts with a warning, to read Siege 4, prior to this issue.  This issue ends the, Dark Reign of Norman Osborn.  Well, Siege 4 did that, but this has the aftermath.

Issue opens with everyone’s favorite villainous father daughter pair, Count Nefaria (of Uncanny X-Cast fame) and his lovely daughter, Whitney, Madame Masque.  She is seeking help from her father as her boyfriend, The Hood, and her are on the run.  This is one of the few appearances of the Count’s that I’ve actually read and it is hard not to read his voice in the classic vampire fashion.

New Avengers Finale Jessica Jones 1

I do like how, under the Iron Patriot helmet, Norman would still paint his face green to represent his Goblin side.  So kooky!  Siege took place on the Asgard portion of Oklahoma.

Poor Jessica Jones is watching the news, looking for any sign of her husband, Luke Cage.  Danielle is happy, sucking down some milk or formula.

New Avengers Finale Jessica Jones 2

Jessica gets a call from the US Army, Luke borrowed a phone.  Which is nice as my wife would not answer her phone from a number she didn’t recognize.  Luke is telling her that he is okay but there is a mess.

Cut to an awesome and what Hitch does best, double page splash.  The pages are full of debris and so much detailed destruction.

New Avengers Finale Jessica Jones 3

Jessica wants him to come home but he can’t as the New Avengers are still fugitives of the law – due to the Superhero Registration Act.  Their phones get disconnected.

The team make sure that they are all okay.  Ronin wants to take a moment to appreciate their win.  After that moment, the team wants to leave as, if they help the police, they will get arrested.  Most likely, after the damage has been cleaned up.  Captain America, the real one, is summoned by the President.  Most likely, Obama, but Bendis doesn’t like dating his comics, like that.

Spider-Woman looks over and sees the fallen villains that Norman had en massed, including the Wrecking Crew.  Ronin wants to know where the Hood is, but none of the thugs know.  So this whole issue is about finding the Hood.  Someone gives up the name of Hood’s cousin, John King.  They find him, he calls Hood and arranges a meeting.

The team gets to where Hood, Madame Masque and Count Nefaria are.  Cage is told about who Nefaria is.  Carol explains his powerset.  He has the combined power of Living Laser, Atlas of the Thunderbolts and either Whirlwind or Whizzer (it is Whirlwind)’s speed.  So energy projection from Living Laser and strength from Atlas.  Also, he is essentially immortal.  Cage makes a phone call, they need some additional power.

Inside, Nefaria is willing to help Hood but only for all of his money.  With the power upgrade that Nefaria promises, the Hood can make up all of that money, rather quickly.  He is not impressed with the Hood,at all.

The Avengers crash through the window and the fight begins.  Carol is the first to confront Nefaria, she’s going by Ms. Marvel at this point.  She starts taking a beating from him, but only so she can absorb his energy – a powerset people forget that she has.  I didn’t even know she had it!  Is that a left over from her Binary days?

So she hits him with his own power which weakens him to merely “not so powerful” but still.  He takes down Carol and shouts that he is immortal.  Just then, Wolverine shows up to start ripping into Nefaria.  This is who Cage called.  Carol starts back into Nefaria, taking more of his energy.  He is immortal but a tad less so, so Wolverine’s attacks are mostly weakening him.

Wolverine was on the West Coast, as the X-Men are on Utopia.

Asgard, Oklahoma.  The Avengers drop – Hood, Madame Masque, Count Nefaria and John King.

Cage asks Hill what the Avengers are, and she tells him that they need to watch the news.

New York.  The Next Day.  Superhuman Registration Act Thrown Out.  Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, replaces Norman Osborn as America’s Top Cop.  So this issue sets up the Heroic Age, a more back to basics approach Marvel branded the titles with.

New Avengers Finale Jessica Jones 4

Rogers, out of his star spangled suit, informs the team that the President has appointed him, The Director of SHIELD.  Which lasts a decent amount of time.  Rogers reveals that Count Nefaria was one of the responsible parties from the original first issue of New Avengers, volume one.

New Avengers Finale Jessica Jones 6

Mockingbird brings up the question of what they do now.  This, somehow, sets up Cage to provide a giant monologue, which is mostly an excuse to reprint art from previous storylines.

We get a glimpse from the original Ronin storyline, that had Echo under the hood.

New Avengers Finale Kitty Pryde

Yes, I own this just because of this page, that I already own once, during the original Sentry storyline.

Cage has been honored to be counted among these New Avengers.

New Avengers V1 8 Kitty Pryde

Which is taken directly from New Avengers 8 with art by David Finch.

I guess the House of M counts as it was a Bendis penned crossover and this title would have had tie-in issues.

We get the storyline reminder, and the mess that it was, with the essence of the lost mutant powers, reappearing on Earth and killing Alpha Flight and eventually ending up with Weapon Omega.  It also was Bendis doing what Marvel needed so that they can use Magneto again after Morrison’s attempted to shelf the character with the Xorn business.

Double splash page (they all have been, thus far) of Secret Invasion, another Bendis written crossover.

Double splash from when Doctor Strange was looking for the new Sorcerer Supreme.

New Avengers v Dark Avengers!

The final one of these is when Rogers, as Captain America, got to throw his mighty shield into Iron Patriot, Norman Osborn’s face.

New Avengers Finale Jessica Jones 5

I really like this final page, clearly done by Immonen – with all of the characters, out of costume.  My only problem, with it?  Shouldn’t Bucky’s arm be metallic?  It is definitely flesh colored.

The next issue is Bendis’ first Avengers 1, with a very complicated time adventure.

Death of Wolverine 4

Posted by John Klein III on January 4, 2015
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Death of Wolverine 4 Hastings Variant

Writer Charles Soule

Penciler Steve McNiven

Inker Jay Leisten

Colorist Justin Ponsor

Letterer Chris Eliopolulos

I had to buy the Hastings Exclusive Variant, as they were all out of the regular cover.  Cost me an extra two dollars.  I only own this for the Ogun reference, which may make me the worst.

Issue opens in Paradise Valley, Nevada.  Wolverine is heading towards the Weapon X facility that Ogun told him about in the previous issue.  He makes his way through some soldiers.  He sees some dudes in tanks and in beds.  Wolverine spies Dr. Abraham Cornelius.

Death of Wolverine 4 Ogun

Dr. Cornelius is happy that Ogun told Wolverine where he was, as it saved him a bunch of money.  He’s on the verge of making the perfect killing machines.

Dr. Cornelius isn’t happy with his legacy, which is that he created Wolverine.  Cornelius has been trying to make the perfect killing machine.  He’s killed hundreds over years.  The one missing ingredient has been Wolverine’s healing factor.  Wolverine laughs as he cuts his palm and the bad doctor is surprised to see the palm isn’t healing immediately.

We see one of Cornelius’ latest success stories.  Major Sharp, has every tactical enhancement in his head.  Wolverine and Major Sharp fight as Cornelius insults Wolverine.  We learn that the AK-47 is arguabl the most successful invention in the history of mankind.  It has been unchanged in seventy years.

During their fight, Major Sharp breaks the glass that was protecting Cornelius.  Wolverine knocks out Major Sharp.  Wolverine wants Cornelius to turn off the machines that are operating on the dudes in the beds.

The emergency lights come on as Cornelius presses a button and runs off.  The adamantium process is starting.  Wolverine pops his claws and slashes open the canister with the liquid adamantium.  It just dumps out and covers Wolverine.  I do like how the room is bathed in red light.  Wolverine is just covered in liquid adamantum.  There must have been an easier way to stop the process.

Meanwhile, on the roof.  Cornelius is shouting at the helicopter pilot to start up the bird.  Cornelius is bleeding from his pierced intestine.  Wolverine has made it to the roof, he doesn’t look good at all.  But he does look very shiny, so that’s something.  Cornelius falls to the ground and the pilot runs for the helicopter.  Cornelius shouts at Wolverine that all he ever did was kill people, which prompts a flashback.  I don’t think Wolverine does the killing blow, I think Cornelius just dies.  Then he makes it to the ledge of the building.

Death of Wolverine 4 Death of Wolverine

My question is, how do the X-Men eventually find out where Wolverine’s body is?  Also, he died just saving some soldiers no one will even remember from getting unbreakable bones.  It seems like the stakes were pretty low and this is how Wolverine dies?  It is a tad underwhelming.

I like how all of the variant covers are shown in the back.

For Issue one, I need to buy John Tyler Christopher cover.  I’ve opted to not need to buy the Canadian variant of issue three, its just the regular cover but with Canadian Maple Leafs instead of regular flowers, just didn’t seem that different.

There is also a page of Reflections from the Creators.  Soule, McNevin, Leisten, Ponsor and yes, even Chris Eliopoulos himself, writes a few sentences.  Eliopoulos reveals his two favorite characters are Wolverine and Puck.  I did not know that.

I own Wolverine’s first four appearances (three Hulks and one Giant Size) and now, James “Logan” Howlett’s final proper appearance – for now.

Final Page is promotional for the repercussions of Wolverine’s death.

Wolverine and the X-Men 10 & 11, which I own 10 for Lockheed and I believe that is Kitty on 11’s page.

Deadpool and Captain America 1, no interest

Storm 4 & 5, no interest

Nightcrawler 7, so good, plenty of Kitty Pryde

Life After Logan 1, I ordered it, here is hoping Kitty is in it

Weapon X Program 1 – 5, I read that Ogun takes over Major Sharp’s body, so I might have to buy a few issues

Logan Legacy 1 – 7, I am getting for sure issue two as it centers on X23 and Kitty Pryde and the All New X-Men team is in the preview pages

Death of Wolverine 3

Posted by John Klein III on December 13, 2014
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Death of Wolverine 3

Writer Charles Soule

Penciler Steve McNiven

Inker Jay Leister

Colorist Justin Ponsor

Letterer Chris Eliopoulos

Death of Wolverine 3 Kitty 1a Death of Wolverine 3 Kitty 1b

Issue opens pretty dramatically with Kitty threatening to give Lady Deathstrike not a good time.  Lady Deathstrike doesn’t believe Kitty has it in her, she’s no killer. One quick exchange later, Kitty unphases her hand and destroys Lady Deathstrike’s in the process.  Something we all know she was able of but haven’t seen before.  That’s some intense action!

I’ve been waiting for this third issue forever!  Still no word if Kitty will be in the fourth one.  The way this issue ends, makes me feel like Kitty won’t be there in the fourth issue, unless there is a page of a slew of characters looking sadacus.

Lady Deathstrikes scurries away, as Logan bleeds on the floor.

Death of Wolverine 3 Kitty 2

Kitty pulls a serum out of her back pocket and injects Logan.  His eye starts to heal.

Death of Wolverine 3 Kitty 3

Kitty explains how it is a regen serum, nowhere close to his old healing factor but it helps when needed.  She doesn’t explain where it comes from.  We are suppose to believe it comes from Beast, perhaps?

Kitty implies that Wolverine gave her a call.  It didn’t happened in the last issue and I checked Marvel Database’s first issue summary and Kitty isn’t listed as a mention, so it must have happened off panel or in-between panels.

Logan updates her about the situation.  He wants to live but he has to deal with whomever has a contract out on him.  At least, it isn’t for his death, whomever it is, wants him alive.  Since Ogun is involved, it must be someone with deep pockets.  Also, that Ogun must be on the top of the chain.

Kitty is all for going after Ogun, she will always have unfinished business when it comes to Ogun.

Tokyo.  Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens.

Death of Wolveirne 3 Kitty prefight

McNiven and Ponsor do a great job with this park, it looks bright and peaceful.  I do like how Marvel holds Ponsor back for these big events.

Now that they can sit and talk (I wonder what they talked about on the plane over?), Logan is able to go into even more detail about the situation.  Essentially, just recapping the previous issue.

Logan wonders if this will ever stop, or does he have to fight people until his last breath.  He contemplates suicide.  Which is never the solution, Kitty agrees.  I like how Logan says, snikt.  He knows the sound of his own claws popping.

Logan is looking forward to getting older, he has plans.

Death of Wolverine 3 Gross Kiss Kitty Logan

In the grossest panel I’ve seen in a long time, Kitty moves in and kisses Logan.  He likes it, of course, but that’s not how he defines their relationship.  Kitty sort of loses her mind.

Death of Wolverine 3 Kitty Ogun Fight 1

Wolverine quickly figures out that it is Ogun who is controlling Kitty’s body.  So Ogun has kissed Wolverine as Kitty and who knows what those two did as husband and wife while Ogun was controlling Viper’s body.  That Ogun, he’s an interesting fellow.

Ogun’s telling of how he possessed Kitty isn’t that exciting.  It is basically, I needed her body, I took her body.  Sure there was a fight, but look, this is the situation.  This is a big event (or should be one) so I like that we just stick with the bigger moments.

Wolverine starts fighting Ogun Pryde.  He’s holding back, as he should, but Ogun isn’t limited by such thoughts.

Death of Wolverine 3 Kitty Ogun Fight 2

Wolverine finds an old samurai armor and dons it.  It is on!

Death of Wolverine 3 Kitty Ogun Fight 3

We get an awesome sword fight.  Wolverine isn’t doing so well.  Ogun Pryde attempts a death blow but the sword phases right through Wolverine.  Kitty is fighting back, yo!

So fantastic that Kitty isn’t some weak body host, she knows Ogun and knows she can fight him.

I also like the artistic choice of, while her body is controlled by Ogun, that we don’t see her face.

Death of Wolverine 3 Kitty Ogun Fight 4

Wolverine mentions how Ogun trained both himself and Kitty.  Ogun could probably kill Wolverine but not while Kitty is fighting him.  The old master can’t take on two of his best students.

Death of Wolveirne 3 Kitty postfight

Kitty has fought Ogun out of her system.  She knows he couldn’t have gotten too far.  She just needs a moment but he needs to go now.

Kitty also reveals who may end up killing Wolverine.  Good ol’ Professor Abraham Cornelius of Weapon X days.  Which I’m a little embarrassed I didn’t suspect him.  He’s an old enough villain that it makes sense.  I guess I may have been under the impression that he is dead.

Wolverine hints that this is the big time.  Though Cornelius isn’t the type to have his hands around Logan’s throat, so it will probably be a machine of some sort that kills him.

Death of Wolverine 3 Kitty Ogun 1

Logan has followed a trail, not sure what type of one.  He has located Cyber’s dead body.  Ogun killed Cyber.  Logan doesn’t care, Cyber deserved worst.  Cyber is one of those Wolverine villains that I just associated with adamantium and low level thug.

Logan reveals he knows about Cornelius, Ogun knows that it was Kitty who told him.  I like Ogun referring to her as, Ms. Pryde.

Ogun tells us about what Viper hinted at last issue. Cornelius is collecting things.  Cyber’s skin.  Swords.  A statue of the Hulk.  Like Viper said, the items seem to be random or at least – from what I can tell – Wolverine related.

Death of Wolverine 3 Kitty Ogun 2

Logan suspects Cornelius is after adamantium.  Ogun tells him that isn’t the case.  The professor really wants Logan alive.

Ogun goes on to explain that Cornelius is in Paradise Valley, Nevada at one of his multiple bases.

Ogun makes an unusual offer.  He would be willing to kill his latest host body if Wolverine wants to fight, or he will let his host body live if Wolverine just walks away.

Ogun offers more healing serum, but Wolverine has already decided to let him go.  He doesn’t take the serum, if only he knew what the title of the miniseries is.

Issue ends with a splash page of Professor Cornelius’ face.

The bonus section has nice sketch art and portions of the script with plenty of Kitty Pryde sections.

Cornelius was killed via shot to the head by Maverick, in X-Men Volume One Issue 7.

Death of Wolverine 2

Posted by John Klein III on November 2, 2014
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Death of Wolverine 2

Writer Charles Soule

Penciler Steve McNiven

Inker Jay Leisten

Colorist Justin Ponsor

Letterer Chris Eliopoulos

Part Two of Four

I only got this for the final page and the Ogun mention but before that, this stuff happened :

Madripoor. Lowtown.  A runner shows up and retrieves Wolverine, who is in a nice suit and rocking a beard.

I noticed that silly Harley Davidson Wrecking Crew is no longer the back cover ad but a regular ad within the comic.  Did Harley Davidson not pay up for the continued placement?  This comic isn’t a fair one, as the cover, both front and back, are glossy.  So, maybe they decided to let this week go.  If they can’t have all the back covers, then don’t get any of them.

Wolverine is trying to get a meeting with the boss.  He brought a working Iron Man helmet as the cost of the meeting.

Hightown.  Turns out Viper is the new ruler of Madripoor.  With Mystique in hiding from both the X-Men and SHIELD, as she was impersonating Dazzler, that left a power vacuum.  The other go-to ruler is Tiger Tyger, but it must have been Viper’s turn.

I like the references to Viper and Wolverine being exes.  I really liked that storyline.  I believe I’m set to review it next year for my wife and I’s seven year anniversary.

Koro, who set up this meeting, didn’t know it was Wolverine.  Viper isn’t pleased with this.

Viper sends some goons after him, he makes short work of them.

Viper foolishly asks how Wolverine got the helmet.  Like really?  He’s an Avenger with Iron Man.  He probably just asked Tony for it.  I’m sure Tony made the helmet so that it will depower, or something, within a time period.

Viper hints that a contract is out on Wolverine.  It isn’t her’s, she’s just sub-contracting it.  Which seems pretty insulting.  Before she will reveal the buyer, she wants Wolverine to get into one more fight.

There is an ad for Marvel Chess.  Which I really want, but not piecemeal like their website sort of implies.  Its a nice mix of heroes and villains.  I’m going to hold out until the second set, and hope Kitty Pryde shows up in that set.

Sabretooth is on a chain.  He is Viper’s dog now.  She tells Wolverine that she got him out of prison.  When we last saw Sabretooth, only two months ago, he was being locked into a SHIELD prison.  I can’t imagine SHIELD has a price tag for prisoner releases.  This happened in Paul Cornell’s second twelfth issue.  I guess SHIELD rather be paid off for Sabretooth, instead of losing agents in the eventful escape.

There is an odd two page dream sequence, which gives NcNiven a chance to draw a costumed Wolverine.  It seems like a waste as it took me out of the comic.  Like maybe I had a few pages stuck together or something.

Sabretooth slashes Wolverine’s left eye, which should mean he now has two scars over each eye but I don’t see the scar that Silver Samurai Jr. gave him during Cornell’s first volume, towards the end.  Maybe it is the same eye and now, the one scar is hidden under the giant scar he will now have.

We see a, snikt.

Lady Deathstrike, that looks like her old look and not her latest look from the recent Wood / Dodsons X-Men run.  She starts slashing into Sabretooth’sback.

Wolverine tells her to stop.  Sabretooth flees.

Lady Deathstrike’s name is on the list that Wolverine’s name is on.  She was hoping to work with Wolverine but now that she knows he doesn’t have his healing factor, she is done with him.

She reveals that Ogun told her about the contract.  Which is impressive, as the last time we saw him, he was in Hell during Jason Aaron’s Hellverine storyline.  I thought when Simon Spurrier revealed he had two children at the start of his X-Men Legacy run, that was going to lead to Ogun’s return.

Not that it matters, as Lady Deathstrike is about to kill Wolverine.

Death of Wolverine 2 Kitty Final Page

Luckily, Kitty shows up!  I knew she was in the third issue and guessed that she may appear on the final page of issue two.  I’m glad she did, this series just got a lot better.

In the commentary section in the back, McNiven comments that he enjoyed drawing this page.  Soule was also excited for the pairing.

I’m definitely getting issue three.  Not sure about the fourth and final issue.  Most likely

Uncanny Avengers 15

Posted by John Klein III on January 8, 2014
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

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Writer Rick Remender

Penciler Steve McNiven

Inkers John Dell with Dexter Vines & Jay Leisten

Colorist Laura Martin

Letterer VC’s Clayton Cowles

Issue opens with Captain America wanting Havok to lead again, and then admitting that his hearing is coming back.  Havok makes a reference to wanting to call it a day, get some In an Out Burger and play sone Grand Theft Auto.  I wonder if in the Marvel Universe, they have East Coast In and Out Burgers?  I imagine with how easy it is for Avengers to travel the globe, he can get to California easily.  I also wonder, in a world with super powers, does the Marvel Universe have the same movies and games that we do?  I would imagine not.  Maybe it is just Watchmen’s influence on my thinking, as they lived in a world of superheroes, so why would people want to read or watch things with superheroes, you want something new that you can’t get on the news, such as pirates.  I imagine video games would have special levels too.  Such as Call of Duty : Ghosts, probably would have a Captain America or Iron Man level, and they can get away with it as it would be based on a public figure in-universe.

While Cap is talking to Havok, Alex disappears.  Turns out Wanda’s plan as a success.

Uncanny Avengers 15 Magik 1a Uncanny Avengers 15 Magik 1b

All mutants are being teleported to the Twins’ ark.  Including from The New Xavier School – Magneto, Magik and Cyclops.

We see Grim Reaper beating on Wolverine.  We get a shot of Rogue’s charred corpse.  I am not counting Rogue to be dead dead just yet.  I have this feeling we will be getting a bit of a reset button at one point.  Though Rogue is not appearing in any other titles, so maybe she really is dead.  Maybe this is why Anna Paquin has been cut out of X-Men : Days of Future Past.  Which must be very awkward, as she did all that press at the San Diego Comic Con.

We see Wasp holding her own against Sentry.  Then Thor shows up to help.  We get a gross moment when Jan shoots Sentry, and his response is to just rip his entire skull apart, leaving only his brain and eyes.  This starts his healing process.  That fight ends with Wasp summoning a sand worm from Beetlejuice.  We get a nice moment with Jan asking Thor if he knows of a god of thunder who wants to fight a set of twins.  I know Wasp and Thor are long time and founding members of the Avengers, I am not sure how much actual interaction the two characters have had.  I do enjoy seeing their friendship.

We see Captain America overhearing the twins talk about Wonder Man and Scarlet Witch, both being dead.  I also suspect both of these deaths to be reversed.  At least Wanda’s for sure.  Wonder Man has died so many times, what is one more?  Such a lousy character.

Cap feels in his gut, that his friends are dead.  Then he fights the Twins, and Eimin cuts him, revealing where his guts are.  Uriel states that Cap is known as a great Tactician, which is why that is his original class on Avengers Alliance on Facebook.

Then Eimin gets super creepy like quoting the Bible, the Noah story.  How come, whenever someone starts reciting scripture, outside of a regilous ceremony, it always comes off as that person being crazy and frightening?

During all that, Cap is getting a beating.  There is a reference / hint, that if you can separate the twins from each other, you might be able to defeat them.

Eimin tells Cap, that instead of “No more mutants” she is going to say “No more humans.”  She shows Cap a window, where we see a Celestial is hovering over Earth.

We cut to Thor and Wasp, as they make their way to the moon.  Thor speaks to Uatu the Watcher, so things are officially now on.  This Celestial is called, Exitar the Executioner.  He is there to destroy the planet.  All due to that time Thor made an axe that could kill a Celestial.  That axe is called Jarnbjorn.  Which the Twins found and used to create their massive plan.

Next issue, looks like we might get Thor versus Uriel.