Marvel Comics August Preview Review

Jim: Marvel’s listing are not wowing me this month, but I think they have hurt their line with the Civil War thing. Still Marvel does have some diversity in their line with the Classic Illustrated material, Dark Tower and the Dabel Brothers. So let’s see what they want us to buy in August.
Lee: I must be in a bad mood this month because it seems like the look ahead is doing nothing but making me mad. Still there is plenty to look forward to… and plenty to make fun of.

CIVIL WAR CHRONICLES #2 Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI & MARK MILLAR Penciled by RON GARNEY & STEVE MCNIVEN This issue reprints CIVIL WAR #2 and AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #532 AND 533.
Lee: Ya gotta love the Marvel Marketing machine. Civil War is barely done, all the trades barely released, and they start reprinting the whole thing all over again. God Bless greed and commercialism.
Jim: Lee, Lee, Lee – you are being so cynical (and that’s my job). Marvel is simply giving everyone a chance to buy the entire sage in nice easy parts. Really it is a gift to the people they haven’t bankrupted before with the endless tie-ins and meaning less central series.

ULTIMATE POWER #7 (of 9) Written by JEPH LOEB Pencils and Cover by GREG LANDThe battle reaches its crescendo as scripter Jeph Loeb (WOLVERINE, ONSLAUGHT REBORN) joins the creative team for the final three issues!
Lee: Sometimes you have to wonder if it’s hype or plain old lies. For example, in this case, Jeph Loeb joins the creative team. Well, since the previous creator, Mike Straczynski, is no where to be seen it’s kinda a stretch to say “join”. How about some truth in advertising with “Jeph Loeb takes over a troubled series that is already three months late.” That I would believe. Don’t believe it’s three months??? Issue Six was solicited for May.
Jim: God and I hate to do this (defend Marvel), but Marvel long ago solicited this title as three different writers each handling three issues, so Bendis did #1-#3, JMS #4-#6 and Loeb wrapping it up. That being said this series begs to be read as a trade only.

SPIDER-MAN/RED SONJA #1 (of 5) Written by MICHAEL AVON OEMING Penciled by MEL RUBIThe wise-cracking Wall-Crawler collides with the She-Devil with a Sword!
Lee: Of all the ridiculous, pointless miniseries, this has got to take the cake. Five issues of Red Sonja and Spiderman???? FIVE??? How about one-n-done. I grew up reading Marvel Team Up so I understand the pointless crossover but still… FIVE ISSUES????
Jim: This just cracked me up when I read the solicitation. Lee is absolutely right. A one shot, hell make it a two part story, all comic fans enjoy a pointless cross-over on occasion, but five parts? Watch me avoid this sucker and wait to buy the trade (if it is any good) on a 50% off sale in the future.

ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST - STAR-LORD #2 (of 4) Written by KEITH GIFFEN Penciled by TIMOTHY GREEN II
Lee: Hee hee. Rocket Raccoon. Hee Hee. On the cover… AND CURSING!!! Hee hee. This is awesome.
Jim: So first you give me crap for monkeys and now a Raccoon makes you giddy! Still it is fun to see an oddball character like Rocket Raccoon being revived.

SPIDER-MAN FAMILY #4 Written by JEFF PARKER & CHRIS GIARRUSSOPenciled by LEONARD KIRK & CHRIS GIARRUSSOPeter Parker has a wonderful evening lined up for Mary Jane that starts with a horse carriage ride to a popular Broadway show. But then the stage magic becomes terrifyingly real and it's Spider-Man who has a date- with the secret super team known as The Agents of Atlas! Also, an all-new Mini Marvel tale, and classic Spider-Man tales!
Lee:I have picked this twice the past couple of months. Jeff Parker is a solid writer. Leonard Kirk is a solid artist. An Agents of Atlas cross over (Look Jim… Monkeys!). Is this the best Spiderman book on the stands??? Could be.
Jim: Ooohh monkeys – I want it, I want it. No seriously I want it. I love the Agents of Atlas and enjoy that Jeff Parker is fitting it in when ever and where ever he can.


NOVA #5 Written by DAN ABNETT & ANDY LANNING, Penciled by SEAN CHEN & BRIAN DENHAMANNIHILATION: CONQUEST continues and - hey, who the blue blazes is that woman on the cover of this issue?
Lee: I think the hype says all you need to know. Who is that woman? They left out the part about “what luck the nova star bursts just happen to fit perfectly on her…” Ah. Life as a fanboy is good.
Jim: Actually they are slightly off, here honey let me adjust those for you. The gender switching of heroes is something comics always enjoy doing, but thank god we haven’t gotten Wonder Man – oh wait we did – never mind.

THE LAST FANTASTIC FOUR STORY Written by STAN LEE Pencils and Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. Legendary writer and Fantastic Four co-creator Stan Lee unites with artist John Romita Jr. to tell his final story of the team that started the Marvel age!
Lee: Ummmm Didn’t Alan Davis do this like two months ago? Maybe this is The End Pt 2.
Jim: Marvel commissioned two versions of this story and this is the one I will probably pass on. Stan can’t write a modern comic and Romita Jr. is over rated.

AVENGERS CLASSIC #3 Written by DWAYNE MCDUFFIECover by ARTHUR ADAMSHULK versus AVENGERS! For the very first time from Avengers #3! Plus, an all new Avengers tale - Iron Man unveils his awesome red and gold armor!
Lee:I’m gonna have to check but I’m pretty sure that the Hulk and Subby fought the Avengers on an uninhabited island so not to hurt any innocent bystanders. Somebody should have mentioned that to Art Adams. I still like the series though.
Jim: It’s been awhile since I have looked at that issue, but part of it was in a tunnel of some sort I believe, so he isn’t as far off as you think. Still a little reseach would not hurt, hell just use the Kirby cover.


WORLD WAR HULK: FRONT LINE #3 & 4 (of 6) Written by PAUL JENKINSPenciled by RAMON BACHS, SHAWN MARTINBROUGH & CHRIS MORENOPlus: two more two-page humor features!
Lee: So let me get this straight… World War Hulk… major crossover event… blood, guts, changing the Marvel Universe for years to come… has not one but *2* two page humor sections???? Wha??? Not to mention the Hulk’s Hit List Cover. Double Wha?? Tigra? Ms. Marvel? Since when are they big leagues????
Jim: Marvel has decided that Ms. Marvel is a major hero in their universe and you will like it. I think Marvel realized they have no Wonder Woman and they are trying like hell to make Ms. Marvel their major leaguer. She runs the Mighty Avengers and has her own book for no apparent reason. The two page humor section seems misplaced in this type of series.

MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #30 Written by PETER DAVID Penciled by POP MHAN
Lee: I mentioned before that Spiderman Family might be the best S-man title on the stands. I was wrong, it’s gotta be this issue. Peter David does a Spiderman one and done, with no crossover or editorial interference. This is worth getting.
Jim: Marvel Adventure books are way too light for me and I don’t read them, but David hmmm

NEW AVENGERS/TRANSFORMERS #2 (of 4) Cover by JASON PEARSON
Lee:I have heard that one of the appeals of Manga is the consistency. No matter who draws the feature, the style guide is strictly enforced and the original artists style is mimicked. Therefore the feature always looks the same. Whereas American comics, every new artist tries to put his or her imprint upon the characters. Both systems have pros and cons. BUT, the American system has one great weakness. If the artist in question is too distinctive then he/she can mutilate a character. In this case, Jason Pearson turns in one of the absolute worst drawings of Wolverine I have ever seen. He looks like one of the ugly dwarves from Wizard of Oz. What a terrible cover.
Jim: HA, HA, HA. That is one ugly Wolverine. Looks like a constipated troll. Really, really bad depiction of Wolverine. But look Transformers – that was from your era, wasn’t it Lee?
Lee:Actually, Transformers was just after me. I never did get them. I don’t care what you say but they either look like cars or cars that have been through the crusher in the junk yard. Robbie (Lost in Space) is still the standard for robots!!!

NEW WARRIORS #3 Written by KEVIN GREVIOUX Pencils by PACO MEDINA
Lee: So, the previews still won’t tell me who the characters are but the cover shows me a picture of them. And, judging by costumes alone I am very happy that I didn’t add this to my pull list. Looks, terribly dull.
Jim: This does look really, really bad. I’ll try issue #1, but that may be it.

SHANNA THE SHE-DEVIL: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST #1 (of 4) Written by JUSTIN GRAY & JIMMY PALMIOTTIPencils and Cover by KHARI EVANSJustin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti reunite with super-hot artist Khari Evans (DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON) to bring you the story of modern-day pirates shipwrecked on the Marvel Universe's deadliest island, where only Shanna can protect them from hordes of man-eating monsters!
Lee:I liked Evans art on the first three issues in the Daughters of the Dragon miniseries. It seems liked he got tired and ran out of steam on the last three. But, this is only 4 issues so there is a good chance it will look pretty. Not as good as Cho’s version but what can ya do?
Jim: My question (besides I don’t want this series) is, are Gray and Palmiotti exclusive to DC? Maybe they wrote this before they moved to DC and it took this long to get the artist to be far enough ahead to publish it.

X-MEN #202 Written by MIKE CAREY, Pencils and Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS FEATURING ENDANGERED SPECIES CHAPTER 9 … ENDANGERED SPECIES CHAPTER 8 in New X-men
Lee: And speaking of misshapen heroes. Title says this is an X-men book but I’m not sure I recognize any of the misshapen lumps on the cover. Between this and the dwarfy Wolverine, This must be badly drawn characters month.
Jim: Maybe it is a contest. Guess who you think these characters are and we will give you Colossus as your first one. My gripe is this back up feature being spread across four different titles. Screw that noise, I’ll buy a book for the main title, but not for a back-up story chapter.

TERROR, INC. #1 (of 5) Written by DAVID LAPHAM Penciled by PATRICK ZIRCHER Meet Mr. Terror -- he's dapper, he's charming, he owns and operates his own VERY successful business…and, oh yeah, he's fifteen and a half centuries old and rotting fast.Doomed to decompose for all eternity, Terror forever replaces his festering limbs with fresh parts. The curse keeps him alive, but it's what's left of his twelfth-century sweetheart -- encased in enchanted metal and serving as his right arm -- that keeps him honest.
Lee: Well, it’s close to the original Terror Inc concept. I wonder if they will ever collect that in a trade? I shall be wait until the reviews are out before committing to this. It may be good but there is a better chance it will stink.
Jim:I forget the original Mr. Terror stuff. I’ll try out the regular issues and try to remember to send them on to you. So little new that I want to try is coming out from Marvel I decided to add this to my list.

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 2 HC Written by ROY THOMAS, GARY FRIEDRICH, ARNOLD DRAKE & ARCHIE GOODWINPenciled by GIL KANE, DON HECK, DICK AYERS, JOHN BUSCEMA, GENE COLAN, TOM SUTTON & FRANK SPRINGERCollecting CAPTAIN MARVEL #10-21
Lee: The early issues reprinted here are OK but the later issues are fantastic. Gil Kane draws the premiere of the modern Captain Marvel costume. An excellent couple of issues. It will be interesting to see how many more Captain Marvel volumes there are because they are very close to the classic Starlin run! Very close indeed.
Jim:This material sucks until you get to the Captain Marvel / Rick Jones stuff. Really I have no idea why I’m seeing this stuff prior to Nick Fury Agent of Shield.

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN AGE SUB-MARINER VOL. 2 HC By BILL EVERETT, CARL PFEUFER, AL GABRIELE, KERMIT JAEDIKER, GUSTAV SCHROTTER, MICKEY SPILLANE, ART GATES & RAY HOULIHANMarvel proudly presents more Golden Age goodness, collecting issues #5-8 of SUB-MARINER COMICS from 1942.
Lee: And for the diehards… Golden Age Submariner. Excellent Bill Everett art but very little of it. Still gonna get it though.
Jim:I with Lee on this one, wish it was more Bill Everett.

AMAZING FANTASY OMNIBUS HC Written by STAN LEE Penciled by STEVE DITKO, JACK KIRBY, DON HECK & PAUL REINMAN Collecting this lynchpin series of Marvel Comics' history for the first time ever, the Amazing Fantasy Omnibus puts AMAZING ADVENTURES #1-6, AMAZING ADULT FANTASY #7-14 and AMAZING FANTASY #15 between two hardcovers 45 years in the making.416 PGS./All Ages …$74.99
Lee: Stan, Jack, & Steve do giant monsters. What could be better? A collection of some of their best stuff. I can’t wait to get this.
Jim: I can not wait for this book either. This material is what I love. Great creators before the super hero craze took over. Plus I’m sure most of this stuff has not seem the light of day for years. I’m signed up for this book without question.

newuniversal VOL. 1: EVERYTHING WENT WHITE PREMIERE HC Written by WARREN ELLIS Penciled by SALVADOR LARROCA Collecting NEWUNIVERSAL #1-6.
Lee: And no matter what Jim thinks… The ENTIRE series has been great. It hasn’t missed a step yet. Another, can’t wait to get it home.
Jim: One I just said #5 was flat, not that the series wasn’t good, sheesh. I’ll pass on this and hope they print a 12 issue hard cover.

ULTIMATE X-MEN ULTIMATE COLLECTION BOOK 2 TPB Written by MARK MILLAR with CHUCK AUSTENPenciled by ADAM KUBERT, CHRIS BACHALO, ESAD RIBIC & KAARE ANDREWSCollecting the second year of Mark Millar's groundbreaking ULTIMATE X-MEN - issues #13-25 - in one colossal trade paperback! 336 PGS...$24.99
Lee: This is a great idea. I don’t want to spend all the money on a HC but I can get 300+ pages for $25. Not bad at all.
Jim: Good price point, uninspired material.

WISDOM: RUDIMENTS OF WISDOM TPB Written by PAUL CORNELL Penciled by TREVOR HAIRSINE & MANUEL GARCIA Collecting WISDOM #1-6.
Lee: The price jump to $22 is interesting but I’ve heard very good things about this. The few people that have read it liked it. I might have to give it a try.
Jim: It has been okay as a series. Not great, but certainly fun. The price jump is annoying.

HEROES FOR HIRE VOL. 2: AHEAD OF THE CURVE TPB Written by JUSTIN GRAY, JIMMY PALMIOTTI & ZEB WELLS Penciled by AL RIO Collecting HEROES FOR HIRE #6-10 Lee: This is the only problem with changing creative teams mid-stream. I really want the Zeb Wells issues… but I could really care less about the issues before that. So I would pay $13 for 2 issues. Huummmm, maybe not.
Jim: Zeb wrapped up the final Gray/Palmiotti story line with issue #7 & 8 and 9 and 10 starts his story, so I think you are buying this one.

D.P.7 CLASSIC VOL.1 TPB Written by MARK GRUENWALD Penciled by PAUL RYANCollecting D.P.7 #1-9.
Lee: And, ending the reviews on a high note… DP7. Need I say more? Probably because it was utter crap but now available in trade format. YEAH!
Jim: Utter crap? Why DP 7 had the character ….., and the story about…. It was a memorable series I think.

Jim: Not a lot of interesting stuff, but I appreciated that Marvel is reprinting the entire silver age and now going back to the Atlas era and pumping it out faster then I get a chance to read it. I wish DC would do more archives.
Lee: Yep, upon reflection, my high hopes for the month were dashed. I made far more fun of ugly characters and pointless story lines than I said “buy this”. Oh well, the indies previews will be out soon and life will be good again.