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Post by woodside on Dec 13, 2012 1:03:06 GMT -5
I am not a big Hulk fan -- but I know a good Hulk story when I see 'em. The ones that stand out the most to me are the early Bruce Jones stories (up until the end of the Abomination arc) and the Planet Hulk/World War Hulk epics. Outside of those and a few scant Peter David issues, my Hulk experiences are fairly limited.
On the Red Hulk stuff, I think it's overplayed and worn-out. This was something that I wished had been resolved a while ago and Ross as Hulk should not have been dragged out into a recurring character. But I do like Betty as Red She-Hulk -- it takes her out of that victim position she's been in and puts her on level ground with Bruce.
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Post by woodside on Dec 5, 2012 22:17:11 GMT -5
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Post by woodside on Nov 17, 2012 17:04:39 GMT -5
Um . . . Hickman didn't write Uncanny Avengers. It was Rick Remender. Sorry.
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Post by woodside on Nov 16, 2012 18:07:33 GMT -5
I have A LOT of faith in Gileon's vision for YA. His runs on Generation Hope and Uncanny X-Men were excellent and a lot of people enjoyed Journey into Mystery.
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Post by woodside on Nov 14, 2012 20:30:11 GMT -5
Marvel is doing a new Secret Avengers. Let me find the article here . . . hrm . . . hmm . . . Ah! Here it is! www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=41551Oh, and that Preview solicit DID have an ad for an upcoming Avengers Annual (forgot which one) written by Cristos Gage (yay!) with a cool VISION cover. I'll be picking this up. Cristos Gage is one of Marvel's most under-appreciated talents and I love to see him get more work!
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Post by woodside on Nov 14, 2012 20:18:51 GMT -5
Unless you've got something more solid I don't think that is very convincing. You're suggesting that issue 49 was 'in the can' three months before it was released? I can't claim any expertise on the logistics of the industry but what I have read about it would lead me to expect that the bulk of the issue would actually have been written and penciled in October and maybe November -in other words in the immediate aftermath of the attack when feelings were no doubt running very high. I had a look at the 'letter' you mentioned which just thanks Quesada for allowing him to destroy a major city. There is no suggestion here that this is related to bad timing -if anything the natural conclusion to reach would be that Busiek wanted to destroy Washington and, reading between the lines, this was most probably driven by a response to 9/11. Choosing to read something else between the lines as you have doesn't seem warranted to me. Following up on this I did read that Busiek claimed that the attack on Washington was always planned. I'm sure he's not lying but I suspect it's more likely a rationalization after the fact ie the attack on Washington was probably one idea they threw around as part of the climax but the decision to actually do it, the severity of the destruction and the tone of the book must surely have been the result of the impact of the WTC attack. I understand, but why didn't they just come out and say it was a 9/11 allegory? Marvel produced a few 9/11 books (notably Amazing Spider-Man # 36). But this issue was not billed as one of them. It came be argued that issue 56 (the post-Kang Dynasty aftermath issue) is more of the 9/11 allegory issue. The implication is that this issue was planned by Busiek several months before hand (with the comic at least in production during the month of September), and there may have been some reluctance from editorial that blowing up an American city (the capital, of all things) so soon after 9/11. This attack was actually foreshadowed several issues before hand, when Kang threatened to attack a national capital if his own command ship was attacked. In such a long formed, carefully plotted story, it's really doubtful that Busiek planned this issue to serve as a 9/11 allegory. 99% of the entire Marvel line took part in the silent month, so I don't think it was a "post-rationalization." . . . except the Guantanamo Bay scandals didn't take place until some time after this issue came out. :/ [/QUOTE] Oh, and lest I forget, allow me to add my congratulations on the sprog too.[/quote] Thanks! (I'm barely awake)
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Post by woodside on Nov 14, 2012 19:56:06 GMT -5
Sam's status as immortal has yet to be addressed since introduced back in the early pages of X-Force. If you check out UncannyX-men.net, they've got some more information about it.
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Post by woodside on Nov 12, 2012 22:11:10 GMT -5
But isn't this actually Busiek's response to 9/11? Considering its timing and the tone that was my presumption anyway (IIRC this was published within a year of the Twin Towers attack). A lot of comics I've seen from around this time try to address the real life events one way or another and are mostly knee-jerk reactions with a complete lack of perspective (but perhaps that's understandable under the circumstances, although it does make the comics virtually unreadable). In any event the destruction of Washington DC is wildly excessive and complete overkill. What does make me wonder though is the Avengers surrender. The idea of 'surrendering to terrorism' would surely have been anathema at the time so it did occur to me that Busiek might be rather slyly placing the Avengers and the earth in the position of the Afghans; being invaded by an overwhelming force and far more technologically advanced civilization. I appreciate the danger of slipping into a political slanging match here. That is far from my intention, I'm really not interested in debating the why's and wherefore's here (so please be circumspect in that regard if you respond to this-let's keep it about the comics). I'm just intrigued by the idea that Busiek might've adopted such a radical position here, if admittedly covertly. Any thoughts? That particular issue came out in December 2001, a mere three months later, so it was too soon to serve as an allegory and too late to be re-written. This was also the year that Grant Morrison destroyed Genosha and Impereix declared war on DC's Earth, causing tons of property damage and loss of life. Marvel also kicked off a book called Brotherhood, which focused on Mutants as a terrorist network. This was all pre-9/11. In Busiek's last issue, in his heart-felt good bye letter, he thanks Joe Quesada for letting that issue still go to print in light of the attack. It's interesting to compare that today -- where DC attempted to delay an issue Batman Incorporated so soon after after the Colorado shooting because it contained gun violence.
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Post by woodside on Nov 12, 2012 9:13:05 GMT -5
Avengers # 46 The battle in Europe has begun! Joining European super-heroes MicroMax and Le Peregine are Thor, Firebird, Hercules, and She-Hulk. Meanwhile, Black Knight and Stingray investigate the rings. Warbird, Quicksilver, Yellowjacket, and Silverclaw go to break into the Master’s base in the Artic.
Meanwhile, Vision goes to join the Triune Understanding, pretending to take interest in it, but to really spy on it. While Triathlon introduces him to Jonathan Tremont, they are interrupted by the news that a great threat – the Triple Evil – has arrived in the solar system.
The Master of the World captures all the city leaders, tells them his story, and his plan to allow everyone in every continent except North America to die. The Avengers invade his base, but he blows that section up.
Finally, Cap, Photon, Jack, and Scarlet Witch launch into space to attack Kang’s base!
***
This issue was another excellent installment to the Kang Dynasty saga. It’s great to see the Avengers in action, trying to take the fight to enemy. The issue had a great, “this is the middle of a war” feel to it and plays out very well.
There weren’t a lot of character beats, unlike many of the other issues, which was just fine.
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Avengers # 47 Warbird, injured after last issues explosion, is confronted by the Scarlet Centurion. He is looking to help her, but she rejects him. However, they do decide to enter the Master’s base together so she could complete her mission. They manage to and despite his similarity to Marcus, she warms up to. He then leaves and Warbird hooks back up with Silverclaw, Yellowjacket, and Quicksilver.
Back in space, a big ol’ evil pyramid enters the solar system.
***
Decent issue, but mostly filler. Having no connection with the original Marcus story, I can’t really comment on that backstory. I did really question why Marcus was willing to help Warbird enter the base, but then I realized that in this game of honor and strategy, it didn’t make much of a difference to him.
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Avengers # 48 Cap’s team attack Damocles Base, but aren’t getting anywhere. Back on Earth, Thor’s team continues to push back Kang’s forces. Over in Texas, Tremont has Justice, Firestar, Triathlon, and Vision and two of his followers hop into the psychic-powered ship to launch into space and fight the Triple-Evil.
Up in the Artic, the Avengers battle the Master, and Warbird kills him in an act of war and to take control of his technology.
In space, Cap’s team fails, and the Sentinels are launched. Unfortunately, Kang takes control of them and sends them back to Earth. For having attacked his command center, Kang’s decided to fight back and puts them on target to Washington. He also blows up Cap’s Quinjet.
***
Whew! Big issue!
I wish Cap’s battle had more to it. It felt very bland compared to what it could have been.
Warbird’s attack on the Master felt huge. I don’t recall the aftermath, but I hope it’s well-handled.
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Avengers # 49 Kang attacks Washington. It’s freaky huge. A lot of people die. The United Nations surrenders.
***
I loved this issue. I loved the visuals and the rhythm of the story and the way it unravels. The fact that Wasp was the one who was forced to sign the surrender notice just added weight to it.
I did like that it was a silent issue, as it was unique and effective. But, if memory serves, it was weird gimmick that all of Marvel had to do that month, which does diminish its impact.
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Avengers # 50 I’m not going to bother to explain the Triune Understanding backstory, but it all gets explained. It’s convulted and boring. Ultimately, Tremont is not the chosen one (three), it’s Triathlon. Turns out he’s merged with 3-D Man and they share the same existence. He defeats the ultimate evil, Tremont is defeated, Pagan and Templar are defeated, and the Avengers (including Cap’s team, Vision, Justice, Firestar, Living Lightning, and Quasar) head back to Earth – because it’s been weeks since the surrender.
***
I’ve never cared for the Triune Understanding subplot, and I especially don’t like it here. With the war with Kang, this issue stands out like a sore thumb. I would have rather seen this whole story resolved before the Kang Dynasty even began, and allowed the two stories to be separate.
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Post by woodside on Nov 12, 2012 0:16:42 GMT -5
I actually address the lack of impact on the MU as a whole in a later review.
This story came at an awkward time for Marvel - right when the franchises were being separated from the massive Marvel line and were receiving a lot of individual attention. Between 2001 - 2004 (pre-Disassembled), there are virtually no crossovers whatsoever. If this story had occurred two years earlier, then we may have seen some more impact.
What's funny is that we had two other similar stories going on about the same time -- one in "The Order," also by Busiek, which featured the Defenders taking over the Earths; and the other in X-Treme X-Men, where a villain who had conquered hundreds of alternate Earths arrived with an army to conquer 616 Earth. The fact that Kang Dynasty is not mentioned at all during "The Order" (or vice versa) just drives me batty!
But I'll have more on all this later . . .
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Post by woodside on Nov 9, 2012 11:15:59 GMT -5
Hey y'all! Sorry for the lack of up-dates to this thread. Luckily, we just brought baby home yesterday and she's doing pretty good so far. Even our first night wasn't that bad! I'm just happy to have her home. She's sleeping next to me as I type this. I love it.
Here are the next couple of issues:
Avengers Annual 2001 Hank is rushed to mansion, where the Avengers are joined by Photon and Jane Foster. Hank tells Jan about the other Hank and she rescues him and takes him in. After Foster declares that she is unable to help them, Triathlon suggests they enlist the spiritual help of the Triune Understanding. Jan relucatantly agrees.
Once there, it’s discovered that the Hanks split in two due to their conflicting nature, but thanks to the Triune Understanding, they unite to form one, awesome, mega-Hank. Meanwhile, Photon gives Triathlon some good advice about fitting in . . . and then meets up with Justice and Firestar, who are undercover at the behest of Iron Man. They show Photon a big ol’ spaceship the Understanding is creating to defeat an enemy threat.
With all the business finished, the team returns to New York to take the fight back to Kang.
***
I was really satisfied with the events of this issue, as it nicely resolved the Pym problem and even put some kind light on the Triune Understanding. Iron Man’s move to put Justice and Firestar into the Triune Understanding is a little underhanded . . . but I liked it.
Other than that, there’s not much to say about this issue. It was good, but not really amazing.
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Avengers # 44 Back in Canada, Stingray manages to take out the Atlanteans’ air supply. Hercules then joins the battle against the ground troops.
In China, Warbird leads the team in the Deviant tunnels and challenges the leader to a battle for leadership. The leader agrees and Carol fights a tough battle, but wins and has their weapons destroyed.
Meanwhile, Thor gets furious when Cap is “killed” and pulls all of the radiation into hammer and sends it away. Everyone reverts to normal, but Thor is left questioning the weight of his friendships.
***
This issue does a good job of resolving the immediate crisises without ending the larger threat of Kang’s attack. It also shed some great light on Firebird and Thor’s personal problems. I’m hoping to see more of those secondary charcters in this story arc.
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Avengers # 45 In this bit of a down issue, Cap, Wasp, Thor, and Firebird go to the Pentagon to talk about Kang. Vision, Jack O’ Hearts, Warbird, and Triathlon go out for some drinks. Thor has some angst about people dying and his outliving all of his friends and Firebird tries to cheer him up. The government reveals that they are prepared to use Sentinels against Kang’s base if the Avengers fail to stop him within the next 96 hours.
At the end of the issue, all of the major cities in North American are surrounded by huge, technological walls, created and owned by the Master of the World.
***
There are a lot of things I liked about this issue, but a few things I didn’t. I liked the down time with the Avengers back in NYC, as it feels right that they take some time to relax amongst the chaos. I liked the appearance of Sentinels, and it kinda foreshadows the ONE program from the "Decimation" era. I also enjoyed Quicksilver’s small scene with Jarvis, in which he confessed his failures in personal life.
But what I didn’t like is the Thor subplot. It feels forced and out of character.
The Master of the World arrival feels a little nutty. I don’t know this guy at all and it feels . . . odd . . . that such an obscure character would make such a huge move, but we don’t hear peep from any of the other Big Bads (Count Neferia, who was used so well during the Thunderbolts crossover, would have been perfect; same with Imus Champion).
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Post by woodside on Oct 31, 2012 21:53:24 GMT -5
There hasn't been a lot of elaboration in terms of powers, but she's definitely not gone to "the dark side" -- ie. all angst and drama. She looks as hot as ever.
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Post by woodside on Oct 31, 2012 21:49:32 GMT -5
Read Order # 1: Avengers vs X-Men Marvel .1 AvsX # 0 AvsX # 1 AvsX # 2 (pages 1 - 10, panel one) AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 1 AvsX # 2 (rest of issue) AvsX # 3 AvsX # 4 (pages 1-14, panel 2) AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 5 AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 2 (Captain America vs Gambit) AvsX # 4 (pages 14-15) AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 2 (Colossus vs Spider-Man) AvsX # 4 (rest of issue) AvsX # 5 (pages 1-10) AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 3 AvsX # 5 (rest of issue) AvsX # 6 AvsX # 7 AvsX # 8 AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 4 AvsX # 9 AvsX # 10 AvsX # 11 AvsX # 12 (pages 1 - 5) AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 6 (Scarlet Witch vs Hope) AvsX # 12 (rest of issue)
Read Order # 2: Avengers Avengers # 24.1 New Avengers # 24 Avengers # 25 Avengers # 26 (pages 1-8) Secret Avengers # 26 Secret Avengers # 27 Secret Avengers # 28 Avengers # 26 (rest of issue) Avengers # 27 Avengers # 28 Avengers # 29 New Avengers # 25 New Avengers # 26 New Avengers # 27 New Avengers # 28 New Avengers # 29 New Avengers # 30 Avengers # 30
Read Order # 3: X-Men Wolverine and the X-Men # 9 Wolverine and the X-Men # 10 Wolverine and the X-Men # 11 Uncanny X-Men # 12 Uncanny X-Men # 13 Wolverine and the X-Men # 12 Wolverine and the X-Men # 13 Uncanny X-Men # 14 Uncanny X-Men # 15 Uncanny X-Men # 16 Uncanny X-Men # 17 Wolverine and the X-Men # 14 Wolverine and the X-Men # 15 Wolverine and the X-Men # 16 Uncanny X-Men # 18 Uncanny X-Men # 19 Wolverine and the X-Men # 18
Read Order # 4: Aftermath Uncanny X-Men # 20 AvsX: Consequences # 1 AvsX: Consequences # 2 AvsX: Consequences # 3 AvsX: Consequences # 4 AvsX: Consequences # 5
A few notes:
- I haven't read AvsX: Consequences yet, but I've been told that Uncanny X-Men # 20 comes before it. I suppose you could put Uncanny Avengers in there too, but honestly, I think it's better as a separate entity.
- I'm not too keen on putting A+X into this. It's yet another story I can't afford and I have no idea where I would put it.
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Post by woodside on Oct 31, 2012 21:04:26 GMT -5
I do agree that some of it felt forced. The housecleaning aspects, especially, but I really enjoyed it otherwise.
I too wasn't fond of Cassie's death. Part of me likes to think that one of the reasons Vision showed up not long after this story is because Tony used parts of Young Vision to help rebuild him.
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Post by woodside on Oct 31, 2012 20:58:43 GMT -5
SPOILERS!
I was able to get a little caught up on some comics this week and managed to snag the two most recent issues of Avengers and the most recent issue of New Avengers. I actually stopped reading these titles for a while (after Siege and Avengers Prime), but I picked them up during AvsX and decided to go ahead and see the end of the Bendis Avengers era.
"New Avengers" seeks to wrap up the long-running "Sorcerer Supreme" arc that's been on-going since World War Hulk. The first part of this story was pretty bland and un-interesting, but Bendis' magic stuff never really clicked with me. It is satisfying to know that this will be wrapped up, though.
"Avengers," on the other hand, was amazing. Probably two of the best, most fun issues that Bendis has written. In a nutshell: the Avengers detect an emergency signal from the Microverse and Cap, Iron Man, Thor, and Giant-Man head down to figure out who sent it -- and it came from the Wasp! Who happens to be alive!
I know it does contradict some of the other post-Secret Invasion stories (this is a Bendis comic, of course), but since I didn't read them, it doesn't bother me. I LOVED the scene where Jan is reunited with the others. There's a great feeling of friendship and closeness that it actually reminded me of the early Busiek issues when these five were running the big, bloated team of Avengers and were working on trying to create a new line-up.
My only gripe is, honestly, that Jan had no real reaction to Cap being alive and well. Maybe Bendis forgot (shock), but the last time Jan was around, Bucky was Cap.
Speaking of Cap, Captain America # 19 was good. Tied up a loose end with the 50s Cap, but served as a bit of a love letter to Steve. Ed Brubaker, take a bow!
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Post by woodside on Oct 25, 2012 18:16:18 GMT -5
Actually, Kitty has been filling the role as co-headmistress and teacher in "Wolverine and the X-Men."
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Post by woodside on Oct 24, 2012 18:29:10 GMT -5
Odd seeing Logan give Xavier's eulogy. Speaking of abandoning Xavier's Dream, yes, Logan, leading two separate death squads counts as abandoning such. I disagree. Logan is the one who re-opened Xavier's school so that kids wouldn't have to be "death squads," like Cyclops kinda wanted. Logan has been the one who returned the X-Men to the roots of Xavier's mission.
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Post by woodside on Oct 20, 2012 16:12:16 GMT -5
Alana is doing well, but still in the hospital. Our hope is that she's home by the end of next week (all she has to do now is take her bottles; she's taking at least 75% of them right now, but not with every feeding). It's been difficult for us, though distractions have helped.
I thought I'd start posting my reviews again! The reviews aren't the longest in the world, mainly because I spent so much time writing the overviews. I may just end up cutting out the overviews and sticking with just the reviews. Thoughts?
Anyway . . .
Avengers # 42
In NYC, Kang presents to the United Nations and the Avengers several possible dark futures – including several alien invasions; Mutant domination; enslavement by a radioactive disease; zombies; replacement by Ultron-bots; and more. He then declares that he plans on conquering Earth, starting in Europe and promises that any others that sign-on will have a high rank in the new world. His plan is to conquer Earth and ensure that these futures never come pass. The Avengers and UN rebuke this offer. However, Attuma of Atlantis and a legion of Deviants agree and begin to attack the surface world.
Meanwhile, in Siberia, the other Avengers encounter the Presence – one the threats that Kang mentioned!
***
A lot to enjoy in this issue. I liked the way that Busiek tied the mention and preview of the Presences’ threat to the growing danger in Russia. It really brought the two stories together in a neat, interesting way. I also enjoyed the ‘dangers to come’ segment and I was finding myself wondering just how much do they add up to what has happened since.
Alan Davis continues to contribute well in the art department, but no surprise there!
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Avengers # 43
Cap, Black Knight, Quicksilver, Thor, and Firebird continue to fight the Presence in Siberia. On the Canadian coast, Jack O’Hearts, Wasp, Goliath (now Yellowjacket again), Scarlet Witch, and Triathlon battle with the Atlanteans and a monster named Torg. Stringray enters the fray and points that Attuma and some wizard are controlling Torg. Triathlon takes down the wizard, releasing Torg and allowing the Avengers to defeat him. The Atlanteans withdraw.
In China, Black Widow, She-Hulk, Warbird, Vision, Silverclaw battle with the Deviants, eventually forcing them back underground. Back in Canada, Jack is made a full-time Avenger – and then Hank passes out and starts to fade away.
Over in Siberia, Thor and Firebird are the only survivors of a deadly attack – one that has transformed Cap and the others in radioactive skeleton monsters in the thrall of the Presence!
*** Another great ish. I loved the use of secondary Avengers - esp. Stingray and Firebird – who shine very well in this issue. I also liked seeing She-Hulk and Black Widow again, having it been a while since they’ve been on board.
The threat of Kang feels heavy, what with the double threat of the Deviants and the Atlanteans. I wish they themselves seemed like more of a threat.
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Post by woodside on Oct 20, 2012 15:48:02 GMT -5
What's interesting with Wolverine is just how much his role in the Marvel Universe has changed in the past 15 years. Up until the late 90s, Logan was very much the loner and the dangerous guy; the one that no one ever trusted and no one was ever sure when he would turn on the heroes and become the villain.
But somewhere around the late 90s/early 00s, Logan's character really began to change. Marvel revealed that he was more embedded with characters history than before (including a connection with Ben Grimm).
Not only that, but in terms of the X-Men, Logan has taken up the position that Cyclops and Professor X once held -- as the heart and soul of the team. We've seen Logan become very tempered and balanced, with less "berserker rage" issues than before. Part of this attributed to two events: 1) Enemy of the State, in which Logan was brainwashed into becoming a Hydra agent; and 2) Wolverine Origins. Both events shed light on Logan's past and his vulnerabilities, forcing him to come to terms with all the manipulations that he has undergone and how he must not let this happen to others (ie. the Generation Hope kids, X-23, Dakken, etc).
Basically, since 2000ish, we've seen Logan develop from being an anti-hero loose cannon to become a true, loyal hero. Who kills bad guys.
In terms of his Avengers membership, hmm. Bendis' Avengers can be broken into three basic segments: 1) the post-Breakout team; 2) the outlaw team (Civil War/Dark Reign): and the Heroic Age team.
I seem to call that Cap and Iron Man offered Logan a place on the team after he ran into the team on their first mission -- a mystery in which they were both working on individually. Cap seemed all caught up in "destiny" and "fate" and that may have been part of his driving force behind offering Logan a place on the team.
We can also argue that it may also have to do with Logan's past with Cap. Cap has a lot of reasons not to trust Logan -- considering their second encounter during WW2 and the Logan's recent bout with terrorism during Enemy of the State. Keeping him on the Avengers may have had something to do with Cap keeping an eye on him.
Further, I think one of the big reasons was because of Logan's willingness to go a little further than other Avengers. Wolverine has a skillset and a moral willingness that other Avengers don't. Wolverine will kill. We only really see Wolverine being asked this once, and that was during Civil War, to find Nitro.
The reason for staying during the "outlaw" days of the Avengers, following Civil War and Secret Invasion, can be accredited to being morally indebted to a recently fallen Cap; experience in "going underground" and connections to help keep the team undetected; and loyalty to his allies on the team.
As far as the Heroic Age goes, I'm missing quite a bit of this, so I'm not sure.
tl;dr? My reasoning for Wolverine's joining the Avengers is because of a journey into becoming a more heroic person - as well as his relationship with Cap, his willingness to cross a line other Avengers won't, and his connections with various aspects of the MU -- not to mention it's a good way for the Avengers to keep an eye on him. His reason for staying comes mostly from loyalty.
As far as the reason Marvel put him on the team? Simple. They wanted the Avengers franchise to become more visible and centered in the nuMU and thus put of the company's most recognized characters on it (Wolverine and Spider-Man).
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Post by woodside on Oct 4, 2012 0:20:28 GMT -5
Read Order # 1: Avengers vs X-Men Marvel .1 AvsX # 0 AvsX # 1 AvsX # 2 (pages 1 - 10, panel one) AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 1 AvsX # 2 (rest of issue) AvsX # 3 AvsX # 4 (pages 1-14, panel 2) AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 5 AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 2 (Captain America vs Gambit) AvsX # 4 (pages 14-15) AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 2 (Colossus vs Spider-Man) AvsX # 4 (rest of issue) AvsX # 5 (pages 1-10) AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 3 AvsX # 5 (rest of issue) AvsX # 6 AvsX # 7 AvsX # 8 AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 4 AvsX # 9 AvsX # 10 AvsX # 11 AvsX # 12 (pages 1 - 5) AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 6 (Scarlet Witch vs Hope) AvsX # 12 (rest of issue)
Read Order # 2: Avengers Avengers # 24.1 New Avengers # 24 Avengers # 25 Avengers # 26 (pages 1-8) Secret Avengers # 26 Secret Avengers # 27 Secret Avengers # 28 Avengers # 26 (rest of issue) Avengers # 27 Avengers # 28 Avengers # 29 New Avengers # 25 New Avengers # 26 New Avengers # 27 New Avengers # 28 New Avengers # 29 New Avengers # 30 Avengers # 30
Read Order # 3: X-Men Wolverine and the X-Men # 9 Wolverine and the X-Men # 10 Wolverine and the X-Men # 11 Uncanny X-Men # 12 Uncanny X-Men # 13 Wolverine and the X-Men # 12 Wolverine and the X-Men # 13 Uncanny X-Men # 14 Uncanny X-Men # 15 Uncanny X-Men # 16 Uncanny X-Men # 17 Wolverine and the X-Men # 14 Wolverine and the X-Men # 15 Wolverine and the X-Men # 16 Uncanny X-Men # 18 Uncanny X-Men # 19
Just a few notes:
- Obviously, no X-Men: Legacy or Avengers Academy. Like I said, can't afford them. Probably no A+X either.
- Avengers is done with the crossover. X-Men has two more issues. However, Wolverine and the X-Men # 17 was not a part of the crossover and was stand-alone.
- AvsX: Avengers vs X-Men # 5 needs to take place way earlier in the crossover, as the events unfold during the search for Hope around issue 3 or 4
- I will be picking up AvsX: Consequences
- Marvel .1 fits nicely in as a prelude. I recommend reading it with the full mini-series
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AvX?
Oct 3, 2012 23:59:16 GMT -5
Post by woodside on Oct 3, 2012 23:59:16 GMT -5
The last issue came out today, so I took some this evening to read all 13 issues of the mini-series. I've been reading all of the major mega-events and crossovers over the past few weeks to prep for this and I have to say, when all is said and done, it actually delivered.
The book seemed to put things back in its place: the arrival of new mutants, the end of the Phoenix, and Wanda fully redeemed as a hero again.
I've tended to see the events from Disassembled to AvsX as one huge story (which is what I believe it was intended to be). When read together, the Avengers material feels like one big story. When I have the time and money, I plan on re-reading all of it, as one big saga. I think there's some interesting things in there.
I still think Civil War is the "big classic" story due its scope and more grounded story, but AvsX wasn't too bad.
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Post by woodside on Sept 30, 2012 20:30:06 GMT -5
Actually, we went with Alana Woodside. I'm trying to stay busy - lucky work has been crazy and it's kept my mind from going nuts from not having our little one here. Comic stuff, too, has helped.
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AvX?
Sept 30, 2012 20:27:51 GMT -5
Post by woodside on Sept 30, 2012 20:27:51 GMT -5
Anyway, I personally wonder if mega-event after mega-event won't diminish the potential for anything in the last 20 years to go down as a classic. I think many buyers in today's market are really fickle, with no staying power. And it's not really their fault -- with "directions" and creative teams and what is and is not canon changing constantly, why would anyone stick around for the long haul? I disagree (surprise!) about current readers and all the "constant changes." But meh. But I do agree about mega-events losing their impact and potential classic status, hence why I believe that Civil War will stand the test of time, as it was early enough in the line of events.
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Post by woodside on Sept 30, 2012 20:20:20 GMT -5
Uncanny X-Men # 18 is my most cherished comic. If I had to sell my collection, I would still keep this one.
Story-wise? Gosh, this is a hard one! Marvels, Kingdom Come, All-Star Superman, Fatal Attractions, God Loves Man Kills -- this list goes on!
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AvX?
Sept 30, 2012 1:08:39 GMT -5
Post by woodside on Sept 30, 2012 1:08:39 GMT -5
Other than Bendis comments about the Korvac Saga, I'm not aware of anyway saying those older stories were out-dated and/or "bad." :/ Either way, we still see plenty of references to them (Secret Invasion has a lot of references to the Kree-Skrull War).
Anyways, you know, it's tough to tell. I think it really depends on this last issue. If we get the pay-off that's been building for 11 issues, it might be fairly well-regarded. I have my fingers crossed Jason Aaron is writing it and he's done no wrong thus far.
I think, honestly, it's all in the eye of the beholder. I've recently felt extremely nostalgic for my comic heydays of the mid-to-late 90s. I recently re-read comics from that time and found that some of it (while enjoyed back then) just didn't stand the test of time.
I don't think AvsX will have the sustainability of, say, the Kree-Skrull War or the Dark Phoenix Saga. There are some juicy bits in there and I've liked it, but I don't really think it'll be as big and iconic as those books.
That being said, out of the recent events (stretching from Disassembled to AvsX), I would point to Civil War as being the most memorable. The comic has been critically well-received, is easily accessible by outside readers, carries a then-timely message, and contains a lot of big "moments" (the Stamford explosion, Cap's escape from SHIELD, Clor's arrival, "the punch," Spider-Man's unmasking, and more). I think the media coverage of this comic will have helped.
Marvel really wants AvsX to be big and splashy and memorable. But . . . I dunno. It's been fun, but it's been too uneven.
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Post by woodside on Sept 29, 2012 16:35:02 GMT -5
Thanks guys! Baby is still in the NICU and will be for the next several weeks. It's rough going, but she's getting better everyday.
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AvX?
Sept 27, 2012 22:45:56 GMT -5
Post by woodside on Sept 27, 2012 22:45:56 GMT -5
Funny, this concept only took four issues back in the 80s. Haven't read any of it, not really sure I want to. I've heard that the entire conflict is forced and that certain characterizations are awful. May get around to reading it in TPB......someday. It really depends on the chapter, to be honest The Jason Aaron and Ed Brubaker issues are really excellent. The Bendis chapters are, well, Bendis chapters, you either love or hate them. The Hickman chapters are decent. There are some really cool character moments -- notably when Spider-Man faces down a Phoenix-powered Colossus and Magik . . . and somehow ends up beating them. It's brilliant. The crossover does a good job of building off of all the previous major stories -- Disassembled, House of M, Civil War, Messiah Complex, etc etc. I've been re-reading a lot of those in preparation for the last issue next week. Should be interesting (for me, at least)
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AvX?
Sept 27, 2012 20:47:00 GMT -5
Post by woodside on Sept 27, 2012 20:47:00 GMT -5
Honestly, I've found it to be "okay." Not nearly as good as some of the other recent Marvel crossover offerings, it's been middle of the road. Some great moments, but nothing incredibly out-standing.
What's been really great about this crossover? The way this crossover is being done. All you need to read the main series. The side-series is disposable, the tie-ins aren't dominated by the main story and are able to do their own thing while still keeping in step with the event.
You guys wouldn't like it.
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Post by woodside on Sept 25, 2012 0:55:56 GMT -5
Hey guys! Just a quick up-date!
I'm sorry I've fallen off the face of the Earth lately, but I've had two things happen:
1) Major computer problems;
2) We had our second baby three weeks ago! She was born two months early, so has to spend some time in the NICU.
Wee W should be home mid-to-late October, but is doing good so far.
I was able to use my work laptop to write up some reviews, so I'll get those up once we get back up and running. Hope you guys are all doing well! Be back soon!
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Post by woodside on Aug 28, 2012 23:50:49 GMT -5
Avengers # 41
Kang and Scarlet Centurion prepare for their attack on the Earth as the Avengers continue to work as a larger force. Wanda and Simon mull over the end of their relationship while Carol trains hard.
In Siberia, Cap, Thor, Black Knight, Firebird, and Quicksilver investigate a strange radiation surge.
Meanwhile, back in the US, the Scarlet Centurion makes his move against the Earth. Triathlon, Wasp, Goliath, Vision, Iron Man, and Thunderbird move in again him, but are repelled. Eventually, his flirtatious with Carol and an attack by Triathlon are enough to throw him off for a defeat.
Kang then shows up and destroys the UN building -- but preserves that lives of those within! Why? Because he can save humankind from its own destruction!
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This was a killer issue. I liked all of the character stuff, including Simon/Wanda's break-up and Triathlon comparing himself to Deathcry. Even the little things, like the shot of Vision reading a ton of magazines, helped pad out the characterization.
The Siberia scenes added a little extra danger.
But of course, the big part of this issue was Kang's arrival. I'm pleased that I don't remember much from this run and I have COMPLETELY forgotten about how Kang believes he is the key to saving mankind. Hmmmm
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