Post by Van Plexico on Jan 25, 2006 21:08:19 GMT -5
Just read NEW AVENGERS #15, and I have to admit, for all that Bendis utterly leaves me cold (except in ULTIMATE SPIDEY)... this comic book had me literally bouncing up and down with glee, as I read it. It's been a long time since my absolute favorite characters were portrayed in situations that made me this happy.
First off, the cover, which was a big negative, as interesting as it might be in terms of layout and art in general. It's another solo Spider-Woman shot. Another of those comic-shop moments where Van says, "Wait, don't I already have this issue?" Because, y'know, she was also in a solo cover shot last issue. Right off the bat, therefore, I'm ready to tear this comic apart. I open to the first (story) page, prepared to put up with more of Spider-Woman and Her Amazing Boobs, taking over my comic, but instead...
An actual, honest to god FIGHT SCENE in a Bendis comic! I was so excited! And, not just any fight--
WAHOOO!!!!! It's Ms. Marvel vs. Klaw!!!!!!! I just can't be this lucky!!!
And not only that, but she's keeping a Blog to serve as narration for the whole issue. And she even acknowledges her issues involving her super hero name. (Although I've never been one of the fans who say the "Warbird" name "sucks," as she puts it-- I think it's a cool name, maybe for one of Carol's future rogues gallery, maybe from Shi'ar, like "Deathbird"-- I just prefer "Ms. Marvel" for Carol).
So now I get five-plus pages of Carol in action, to start the issue, so you know I'm getting very happy. (Hey now.) I'm not a fan of Cho's art, and I hate the way he draws Carol's costume, especially the lightning bolt, which he makes about three times too big. But he renders her face and hair, and her expressions, beautifully. So I can put up with the gratuituos ass shots and oversized bust in exchange for some very nice portrait panels.
Speaking of oversized busts, now we see Jessica walking around in a tight t-shirt, and it's good to see continuity there: she does indeed have the "DD" implants still in place. Ha.
The personal moments with Carol in the quarters, and especially with Cap, while the antics are going on in the background-- great stuff. Loved it. Wow-- Bendis actually writes very nice character stuff, when he just slows down (crazy as that may sound) and lets stuff happen naturally, rather than trying to force a very, very long conversation unnaturally into a scene that is only very (one "very") long.
And when Carol and Steve are having the conversation... My god, Cho, the renderings there of Carol just make my heart hurt, they're so nice. (Again, hyper-inflation and insignia notwithstanding.)
The Spidey-Jonah bits later on are fun, of course-- that's Bendis in his element, and I think the Spidey parts have been the most consistently well-written parts of the series, thus far.
Great introduction-to-the-public spread. "Avengers Assemble" indeed. And then the twist with Jonah, and Peter says, "See... I can [believe it]." Wonderful.
The Spider-Woman part at the end was both predictable and underwhelming, and frankly, I just don't much care. I guess Bendis loves her, so it's a big deal to him and fans of that character, but I have no stake in it whatsoever. A blah ending to what was, otherwise, a very, very good AVENGERS comic, and one with huge appeal to me, as it featured my two favorite living super-heroes (though Iron Man didn't really get to do much).
If only every issue could be this good. Now I'm definitely anxious to see the new MS. MARVEL!
--VP
First off, the cover, which was a big negative, as interesting as it might be in terms of layout and art in general. It's another solo Spider-Woman shot. Another of those comic-shop moments where Van says, "Wait, don't I already have this issue?" Because, y'know, she was also in a solo cover shot last issue. Right off the bat, therefore, I'm ready to tear this comic apart. I open to the first (story) page, prepared to put up with more of Spider-Woman and Her Amazing Boobs, taking over my comic, but instead...
An actual, honest to god FIGHT SCENE in a Bendis comic! I was so excited! And, not just any fight--
WAHOOO!!!!! It's Ms. Marvel vs. Klaw!!!!!!! I just can't be this lucky!!!
And not only that, but she's keeping a Blog to serve as narration for the whole issue. And she even acknowledges her issues involving her super hero name. (Although I've never been one of the fans who say the "Warbird" name "sucks," as she puts it-- I think it's a cool name, maybe for one of Carol's future rogues gallery, maybe from Shi'ar, like "Deathbird"-- I just prefer "Ms. Marvel" for Carol).
So now I get five-plus pages of Carol in action, to start the issue, so you know I'm getting very happy. (Hey now.) I'm not a fan of Cho's art, and I hate the way he draws Carol's costume, especially the lightning bolt, which he makes about three times too big. But he renders her face and hair, and her expressions, beautifully. So I can put up with the gratuituos ass shots and oversized bust in exchange for some very nice portrait panels.
Speaking of oversized busts, now we see Jessica walking around in a tight t-shirt, and it's good to see continuity there: she does indeed have the "DD" implants still in place. Ha.
The personal moments with Carol in the quarters, and especially with Cap, while the antics are going on in the background-- great stuff. Loved it. Wow-- Bendis actually writes very nice character stuff, when he just slows down (crazy as that may sound) and lets stuff happen naturally, rather than trying to force a very, very long conversation unnaturally into a scene that is only very (one "very") long.
And when Carol and Steve are having the conversation... My god, Cho, the renderings there of Carol just make my heart hurt, they're so nice. (Again, hyper-inflation and insignia notwithstanding.)
The Spidey-Jonah bits later on are fun, of course-- that's Bendis in his element, and I think the Spidey parts have been the most consistently well-written parts of the series, thus far.
Great introduction-to-the-public spread. "Avengers Assemble" indeed. And then the twist with Jonah, and Peter says, "See... I can [believe it]." Wonderful.
The Spider-Woman part at the end was both predictable and underwhelming, and frankly, I just don't much care. I guess Bendis loves her, so it's a big deal to him and fans of that character, but I have no stake in it whatsoever. A blah ending to what was, otherwise, a very, very good AVENGERS comic, and one with huge appeal to me, as it featured my two favorite living super-heroes (though Iron Man didn't really get to do much).
If only every issue could be this good. Now I'm definitely anxious to see the new MS. MARVEL!
--VP