Uncanny Avengers 8 AND 8

[bobc]

Uhhhhh not sure if this needs its own thread--but for those of you who think I lost my mind on the uncanny Avengers 8 thread by posting that "UA is out and is infected by the Bendis virus," since we'd already been discussing that issue, I just realized something. There are TWO Uncanny Avengers #8 out right now--the one with Sunfire on the cover (this issue was good IMO), AND an UA#8 with Kang on the cover. They are not just variant covers--they are different comics. The first is credited to Remender, and the second Remender/Duggan. Can anyone explain this?

This new comic has Havoc getting cut literally in half, and Rogue stabbed through the chest, and suddenly Bendis' Ultron/Wolverine went back in time and killed Pym crap in it. So in other words, it seems to have radically veered from the comic we were all enjoying into Benid Land.

What is going on?

[Shiryu]

It's because of the Age of Ultron event. All the tie-ins keep the regular numbering but add AU next to the issue number (bottom right corner), and feature a story related to the event. So for Uncanny Avengers we have #8 and #8 AU, and the same for the other titles.

With a couple of exceptions, the tie-in lasts one issue only, and then we are back to were we were before. So far, most of this special issues have dealed with Ultron taking over the world and haven't had any impact on the original book (assuming Ultron's conquest will be dealt with by the end of the event). Uncanny here seems to be a little different because we have Kang and the Apoc twins travelling to the alternate reality created by Wolverine and Sue Storm, so they will probably retain the experience.

Still, this is probably one to skip unless one cares to find out more about the twins' past and personalities.

[bobc]

Thanks, Shir! I thought I was going crazy until I actually pulled both comics out and saw that they were both numbered the same way. I saw the AU but thought maybe that meant August or something.

My other reason for talking about this is what I saw as needless gore (in this new issue) which we had talked about on another thread--the lack of honor and nobility combined with what seems like gratuitous, over-the-top violence. Rogue's killing of the Grim Reaper just a couple of issues ago was, to me, accidental and she seemed traumatized by it. I'm okay with that completely. But this new issue, especially when Havoc was chopped in two, seemed ridiculously in your face and cheap.

I was looking forward to the repercussions for Rogue regarding her killing GR, but suddenly the book seemed to just veer away and now I know why.

[Marvel Boy]

May 30, 2013 16:59:02 GMT -5 Shiryu said:

Still, this is probably one to skip unless one cares to find out more about the twins' past and personalities.

Yeah, from every solicit I've seen of this issue, that is the main point of it, to gain insight into the Twins' history. Tie-in issues like this can be disconcerting but a good writer can turn this to his advantage by using it to build another aspect of his current story, which is what it appears Remender does here.

(I haven't read it yet. I won't be able to go to my local LCS for about another week or so)

Remender had an interview on CBR about UA in which he had several interesting comments. One was exactly how was Rogue able to kill Reaper. Apparently, the magic Wanda used to revive both Simon and Reaper made them both nigh-impossible to kill again. But because Rogue siphoned Simon's energy, that power was what enabled her to kill Reaper....or something like that. ;D

Another was exactly how did Thor's axe end up in the tomb of Baron Mordo? Remender said the story of how and why Thor loses his axe will be covered by Aaron in Thor's monthly book. (Of course, till I read that issue, didn't even know Mordo was dead)

[starfoxxx]

Yeah, how confusing is the numbering situation here? Just plain dumb.

Also, how about how Marvel numbers current series with 3-digit numbering? (example Uncanny Avengers #008).

Do they really think there's any hope for a new series to make it to #100 before being rebooted again and again?

[spiderwasp]

Jun 1, 2013 14:44:52 GMT -5 starfoxxx said:

Yeah, how confusing is the numbering situation here? Just plain dumb.

I'm really mad with Marvel about this. I bought several titles without realizing what was going on. Had I realized they were Bendis tie-ins that weren't even part of the regular series I've been buying, I never would have bought them. I really resent being tricked.

[bobc]

It's like every time we think we are free of Bendis, he is back like a bad dream. Let's hope this issue is the end. And maybe, just maybe, we can get back to the Grim Reaper storyline. I know Marvel must be panicking that old school Avengers readers actually have a book we love, but come on. Throw us a bone here.

[starfoxxx]

I just read the FEARLESS DEFENDERS Age of Ultron crossover, #4AU, and it was really well done.
It fused the Age of Ultron plotline with the ongoing Fearless Defenders story very well, IMO.
Fearless Defenders is actually a pretty good comic; it lapses into goofiness, but it has the vibe of the original Defenders title, with an all-female cast. Great art, too.

[Marvel Boy]

I know, I'm behind.

But finally read this issue. Good issue, excellent insight into Kang and the Twins. This may have been an AOU tie-in but Remender uses it well to expand his own storylines.

The death of Havok was a touch extreme for my tastes. The attack on Rogue was handled a little better, with the shadows indicating what had happened.

My only quibble is Kang's apparent lack of concern over the changing of the timeline. He just seemed to take what had happened in stride, as if he was fine that this was the new norm or that those wretched heroes would fix it all so why bother showing concern? Just found it odd.....