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Post by starfoxxx on Apr 28, 2011 14:56:37 GMT -5
I haven't done a review in a while, but Av Academy has been so good, I'd love to hear some feedback...... <SPOILERS> Just a scatalogical review of Academy #12--- LOVE the art----McKone will be missed, but Raney does a nice job, and the COLORS are perfect. Since #1, probably the best drawn series Marvel is producing, IMO. Anyone agree/disagree? I also LOVE the "new look" Giant-Man costume. A great way to help me forget the "Hank as 'Wasp'" debacle. Again, as i've stated about Gage "fixing" Bendis' nonsense; Hank as Giant-man seems to be Gage "cleaning up Slott's garbage", as well.  Nice designs for the "faux" heroes Tie-Chi, Sky Panther, and Saint Death. I hope Gage has a chance to use them again. The whole "adult" Reptyl plotline seems like its been done a hundred times before, but I don't mind at all. At least it brings something interesting to the most boring Academy member, again, IMO. My only very tiny complaint would be Carina's "there's no time to explain the situation" retorts. Hey, we bought a comic book with a frickin' DINOSAUR on the cover. Cristos, you don't need to worry about my suspension of disbelief. Just keep crankin' out great stories. Also I like how Gage used a reference to an older Avengers story (Tigra mentions Molecule Man). He ACTUALLY READ an issue of AVENGERS!!!! And a SIDEBAR BOX with an explanation from past stories!!! I didn't know writers used them anymore! Kudos. Anyway, I'm still enjoying this comic, Gage is so good, I wish he would write more. I would love to see him write an X-men title. I would buy it, and I haven't read anything X-related in forever. |
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Post by spiderwasp on Apr 28, 2011 17:28:01 GMT -5
Foxxx, I am in total agreement with everything you said in this review. I wish we could clone (Yes I brought up the dreaded word "clone") Gage so he could write at least a dozen titles for Marvel per month. This book is the first time in a LONG time that I've truly looked forward to a book month after month AND haven't been disappointed once. I had wondered if maybe the reality was that comics weren't getting worse and worse but that I was just becoming old and jaded. I questioned if that was the reason the excitement just wasn't there anymore. I'm happy to say that, with the help of Gage, I feel young again. The problem is not me. I am just as capable of getting excited over good comics as I ever was. Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by owene on Apr 29, 2011 9:22:51 GMT -5
This book and Captain america are the only current Marvel books that both feel like they are set in a consistent marvel history which will play into the characters world views of things ( stuff like the Tigra/molecule man reference) and also feel like events have consequences for the characters. when fairly minor things happen you know that the writer is actually going somewhere with it and you can care about the character development.
I'm not saying they are the only good books out there, I enjoy Thunderbolts as well, but they are the two that actually generate proper dramatic resonance where you actually want to know what will come next for the characters. (Academy is better than Cap right now and in a totally different style, I get much more from each issue, but you have to admit that Brubaker is actually planning long term arcs and has put together a meaningful story arc)
There are other fun books out there, some of which use the Marvel universe quite well and generate a feel like books from 'my era', but everything feels really throwaway like it wont actually ever be mentioned in any other stories once it's finished and that the characters have a reset button pressed at the end of each story.
I qutie enjoyed the recent Iron Man Legacy series, Avengers Prime and the Iron Man/Thor . mini by abnet and Lanning. They all threw together cool older characters and told fun stories but I can't for a second feel like any of them will have any impact on the longer history of the characters or get referred to by any writers other than the ones who wrote them.
I doubt if Academy is going to really change the MU either but you at least feel like the writer has long term plans for the characters and that the story is moving on and that the basics of dramatic writing are being done properly. They aren't just fun adventures you could slot in anywhere in Marvels time line with any set of heroes.
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Post by Shiryu on Apr 29, 2011 20:58:20 GMT -5
Uhm, I hate to be the negative thinker but I'm a bit colder towards Academy, I find my appreciation for it oscillating a lot. I really like the continuity references and nearly every panel involving past or present Avengers, but I still don't really care for the kids the way I did - for example - for Jolt in the original Thunderbolts, or for the Young Avengers, or even for the new Thunderstrike.
Except for Veil and Finesse, to me the others (especially Meetle and Reptile) haven't *really* been fleshed out so far... if they were to die and be replaced an issue later, I don't think I would mind. So I really like issues focusing on Hank or Tigra or Justice, but find rather "meh" those focusing on the class, including this last one (not to mention, Carina's change in personality seems more than a little abrupt).
Don't get me wrong, I still like Academy and it's still in my top 10, possibly even top 5 of Marvel favourite books at the moment, but #1 is pretty safely in the hands of Amazing SM. It's just that some issues look like they could work just as well without the kids, while others seem to strive too hard to make them essential, without any sort of happy medium. When they were pitted against Korvac I found myself thinking of Mantis KOing Thor with her neck hold or whatever it was.
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Post by owene on May 1, 2011 5:04:41 GMT -5
Fair points, I dont think the guys have been fleshed out very much, I haven't minded much as each issue does have a fair bit of characterisation for someone, including the teachers or even taskmaster, but they haven't got round to everyone yet and you are right that a year in there are still characters who we dont really know at all. I think with Jolt she was clearly our audience recognition character and everyone else was established so there was more time to spend on her reactions to everyone but you are right that we dont know these guys as well as we did her.
it seems a lot denser writing than a lot of current marvel books but it still isn't writing in that busiek or stern style where everyone will get a little scene every issue that keeps them humming along.
i see what you mean about the Korvac thing, it had the possibility to be fanficy 'look what my cool character can do' but i tended to see it as Carina taking down (a thor weakened) Korvac using the kids as disposable weapons.
I'm behind on spider-man but mean to catch up, it just comes out so quickly, what else would be in your top 5 (or even 10) right now?
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Post by Shiryu on May 1, 2011 6:42:44 GMT -5
Yes, I think my problem with it is that I still can't quite see in which direction this book wants to go. The young class is working as a plot mean to make us see more of Hank, Pietro, Tigra, Vance etc, but they are a bit hit and miss as fully-fledged co-starts. The formula "they do something stupid-screw up-get told off big time- learn from their mistake but not quite as they should" has already been used half a dozen times and, to me, it's getting a bit old.
Having said that, it's still by far the best regular Avengers title out there.
Uhm, my top 5 would probably be Amazing SM, Children's Crusade, Thunderstrike (solid old-fashion fun by DeFalco and Frenz), Astonishing Thor (the only Thor title I'm enjoying. How can Fraction be rated so highly?? so far I don't like his work on the main title at all) and, depending on the issue, Academy or Thunderbolts.
Top 10 would go on with the other between Academy and Thunderbolts, FF (judging only from the first two issues), and the recently-concluded Iron Man-Thor, Ant Man-Wasp and Loki.
At the moment, I tend to like some miniseries or limited series more than regular titles, especially when they are given to old pros who obviously are no longer deemed good enough to write the main books (sigh). Conversely, for the life of me I can't get into Captain America or Secret Avengers. I think Brubaker is really talented, and I enjoyed his "Steve Rogers Super Soldier" mini, but as a month-by-month writer it just doesn't work for me, like Morrison's Batman. I'd probably like them both a lot more reading directly from TPB.
As a complete aside, I'm also re-reading Thor volume 1 and loving it ^^
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Post by starfoxxx on May 1, 2011 10:16:33 GMT -5
I agree, it's not easy to warm up to the students, especially when they are introduced all at once. But I like this group MUCH MUCH more than the Avengers:Initiative students. The only one there that had any connection with me was KOMODO. Well, I just saw a preview of Academy #13.....and ....SPOILER ALERT..... Komodo shows up in #13......it's a school dance, and alot of newbie heroes look to be invited, (I saw Firestar and female Bucky in there. Did anyone read that Young Allies series? The line-up and the art scared me away from that one) Anyhoo, #13 looks to be a fun ish, with Gage bringing back Komodo, and should be an interesting, Avengers-y get-together, like I always enjoyed. (The Letterman issue is STILL one of my favorites) . |
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Post by Shiryu on May 1, 2011 16:07:26 GMT -5
I had completely forgotten the Initiative roster, which really makes your point. I only remember the guys in the Spider suit, and that's after some thinking.
It'll be interesting to see Firestar again, especially with Justice around. I liked them in Busiek's Avengers, but Firestar's recent cancer story was a bit too realistic for comfort.
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Post by owene on May 1, 2011 16:34:25 GMT -5
Uhm, my top 5 would probably be Amazing SM, Children's Crusade, Thunderstrike (solid old-fashion fun by DeFalco and Frenz), Astonishing Thor (the only Thor title I'm enjoying. How can Fraction be rated so highly?? so far I don't like his work on the main title at all) no i gave up on it recently after really enjoying Gillen's work in the lead up to him taking over, i haven't read much else by fraction but i didn't really care for it at all. Some nice dialogue but a really quick read without much happening. I'm not sure on FF, i liked the first 6 issues or so of Hickman's run where he introduced all the things he's working with but i haven't enjoyed what he has done with them as much. I've enjoyed the last 2, i think he writes a good spider-man apart from anything else, but i dont have much of a connect with the characters outside the core 4 and there are a lot of them there. I also have a hard time really connecting it to the titles history. But i'm still reading and enjoy each issue as it comes out. yeah cap is much better in trades, i've only recently caught up and switched to single issues and it's flaws are a lot more apparent there. there isn't much happening in any given issue, which can be annoying when you pick one up but i do like his handle on the cast how far have you got? |
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Post by Shiryu on May 1, 2011 17:10:50 GMT -5
I also loved Gillen's work. Despite having to do with Siege he managed to pull through a solid short run. What really put me off with Fraction is his characterization. Thor calling Odin "stupid old man"? He used to be far more respectful.
I have the same problem with it at times... it's like the book feels "cold", like characters going through the motion. And I also think that his build up is better than his end result.
Still, for some reason I like it, perhaps because it's not attempting to rewrite the characters and turn them into something else, the way most writers do these days.
I've almost completed the Eternals arc. I've read a lot of criticism online for the several issues where we learn of Thor's past through Odin's eye, but I've really enjoyed them nevertheless. I suppose it's because I do have a personal interest in German mythology and the Siegfried's adventures, and also I don't have to wait months to see what happens with the Eternals, but it's shaping up to be one of my favourite arcs yet.
They say that decompressed storylines are necessary to print TPBs, but sagas like the Eternals' make fine volumes and still have a lot happening in each individual issue.
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Post by starfoxxx on May 5, 2011 15:22:01 GMT -5
Gage is so good, I wish he would write more. I would love to see him write an X-men title. I would buy it, and I haven't read anything X-related in forever. Just thought I'd follow up on MY OWN Quote. I just saw that Gage IS writing an X-book, Astonishing X-men #2, as a matter of fact. I'll be picking it up, but I'm a bit weirded out that the solicit said it was a "Part 2" , and Gage is NOT the writer on "Part 1". Hmmmmm......  |
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Post by Shiryu on May 5, 2011 17:41:39 GMT -5
Talking of head-ups, just in case not everybody knows, besides Academy 13, a special Giant Size Avengers Academy is coming out this week.
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Post by starfoxxx on May 7, 2011 16:02:30 GMT -5
Talking of head-ups, just in case not everybody knows, besides Academy 13, a special Giant Size Avengers Academy is coming out this week. I just got back from my LCS with #13, GREAT COVER!, and I can't wait to review it, as soon as I get a chance to read it. I almost picked up the Giant-Size, too, but the $7.99 price stopped me. I leafed through, and it looks like an Academy/YoungAllies team-up, with so-so art, and a still-teenage Reptyl.....(I'm wondering how this fits into Academy continuity....) Anyway, I can't support 8-dollar comics. I realize the logistics of page count, but it's just too much. I already plunked down $5 for Annihilators, but that's mainly for the Rocket Racoon/Groot story. The Annihilators has been reminicent of Bendis' New Avengers---great line-up and plot, (they're on Galador  , w/SpaceKnights and a tease of ROM's return  ); but the characterizations and art are pretty bad. Still, hardly worth $5 for a meh story and a good back-up. I'll do a review when the series wraps up next month. But it seems these over-priced issues (esp. the one's that are mostly reprint material) just stay on the rack, waiting for me to pick them up for cheap (usually a buck) in a year or two. |
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Post by humanbelly on May 7, 2011 16:49:21 GMT -5
Talking of head-ups, just in case not everybody knows, besides Academy 13, a special Giant Size Avengers Academy is coming out this week. I just got back from my LCS with #13, GREAT COVER!, and I can't wait to review it, as soon as I get a chance to read it. I almost picked up the Giant-Size, too, but the $7.99 price stopped me. I leafed through, and it looks like an Academy/YoungAllies team-up, with so-so art, and a still-teenage Reptyl.....(I'm wondering how this fits into Academy continuity....) Anyway, I can't support 8-dollar comics. I realize the logistics of page count, but it's just too much. I already plunked down $5 for Annihilators, but that's mainly for the Rocket Racoon/Groot story. The Annihilators has been reminicent of Bendis' New Avengers---great line-up and plot, (they're on Galador , w/SpaceKnights and a tease of ROM's return ); but the characterizations and art are pretty bad. Still, hardly worth $5 for a meh story and a good back-up. I'll do a review when the series wraps up next month. But it seems these over-priced issues (esp. the one's that are mostly reprint material) just stay on the rack, waiting for me to pick them up for cheap (usually a buck) in a year or two. Eight dollars?? Eight DOLLARS??!!?? Oh my god-- EIGHT DOLLARS???!!!!!?Are you freaking kidding me? There is NO justification for that kind of price gouging! And on a title that I hear is struggling, no less! My god-- do you suppose the economic theory at work here is that, "well, if we charge twice the (already outrageous) standard price, then we only have to sell half as many issues, and we'll still be sittin' pretty!"--? Heck, why not just charge $1,000 per issue, then they'll only have to sell, like, 150 copies! Or just print ONE super-dooper collector's item issue, and sell it for about $150, 000--- and everyone can call it a day-! They have given up. They have completely and cynically thrown in the towel on even making a pretense of trying to grow their readership. Clearly, they're viewing this as a doomed medium, and simply want to suck as many dollars out of it in the short term as they possibly can before it implodes completely. Gads, I could not be more appalled-- give me back the old newsprint pages and primitive coloring processes, if that's what it takes to keep the comics medium alive. Y'know, Gene Colan, John Buscema, Neal Adams and a host of other folks seemed to be able to create works of wonder and amazement under those conditions. . . (this was a bit of an off-the-cuff rant, as I'm sure was evident. . . ) HB |
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Post by owene on May 8, 2011 4:12:26 GMT -5
It's hard to disagree really.
I don't know what the story page count is on an 80 pager, I guess you probably are getting about 3 issues worth of stuff and that three regular issues would be more than 7.99 but for some reason that doesn't really change it. It's just too much, and while the bigger issues should actually be better value for money they tend to be packed full of filler stories and creators you've never seen before.
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Post by spiderwasp on May 8, 2011 8:09:26 GMT -5
Wow. When I read that there was a special issue, I was happy. There are so few comics that I actually want to buy these days but I may have to refrain from this one on principle alone. Every issue that is sold at that price just sends a message to Marvel that we zombies will pay whatever they charge. Maybe I'll find it in a cheap bin someday and can buy it then. What a shame.
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Post by Shiryu on May 8, 2011 17:22:13 GMT -5
I've glanced at it and it's not particularly good either, although Arcade is there which makes it somewhat interesting in the sense that it's unusual. The price does more or less fit the size, but it's quite a lot to pay in one go, so I don't think I'll buy it for the moment.
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Post by starfoxxx on May 9, 2011 14:40:02 GMT -5
Oh BTW, Gage didn't write the Giant-Size.
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, w/SpaceKnights 
); but the characterizations and art are pretty bad. Still, hardly worth $5 for a meh story and a good back-up.