Continuing our first two part Marvel Preview Review. Let’s look in and see if Lee is any happier.
SQUADRON SUPREME #4 Written by HOWARD CHAYKINPenciled by MARCO TURINICover by GREG LANDDistant rumblings in the Mojave Desert signal a new age is at hand, as more and more superhumans emerge…and begin to do battle. As Ultimate Nick Fury assembles his new Squadron Supreme, the four mutated Icarus One astronauts go to…Las Vegas? Meanwhile, even as the mystery of the disappearance of the original team deepens, teen misfit Arachnophilia comes face-to-face with one of the missing Squadron members… 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99
Lee: Since I don’t really review floppies, I’ll use this forum to ask a question… why call it Squadron Supreme if you aren’t going to use the SS characters? This has nothing to do with SS and may as well be an elseworlds story. That would be more interesting. 
SQUADRON SUPREME #4 Written by HOWARD CHAYKINPenciled by MARCO TURINICover by GREG LANDDistant rumblings in the Mojave Desert signal a new age is at hand, as more and more superhumans emerge…and begin to do battle. As Ultimate Nick Fury assembles his new Squadron Supreme, the four mutated Icarus One astronauts go to…Las Vegas? Meanwhile, even as the mystery of the disappearance of the original team deepens, teen misfit Arachnophilia comes face-to-face with one of the missing Squadron members… 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99Jim: I have yet to read issue #2, but I’m guessing that I will be dropping this title as it appears it has nothing to do with the group I wanted to read about.
THOR: THE TRUTH OF HISTORY #1 Script, Pencils and Cover by ALAN DAVISLegendary 
writer-artist Alan Davis sends Thor on one of his most epic adventures in history! The God of Thunder and his fellow Asgardians visit Midgard’s ancient Egypt…and leave behind a startling legacy that will change our world forever in this one-shot!48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Lee: Alan Davis does Thor. ‘Nuff said. I’m in.
writer-artist Alan Davis sends Thor on one of his most epic adventures in history! The God of Thunder and his fellow Asgardians visit Midgard’s ancient Egypt…and leave behind a startling legacy that will change our world forever in this one-shot!48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99Jim: Why is Alan Davis just doing almost random projects with Marvel, did he sign an exclusive or something. Alan Davis is a great artist and has the fluid style that I love, this guy should be on some high profile job like Secret Invasions instead of some Thor one-shot.
X-MEN: ORIGINAL SIN #1 Written by MIKE CAREY & DANIEL WAYPenciled by MIKE DEODATO & SCOT EATON Cover by MIKE DEODATO & RICHARD ISANOVE"ORIGINAL SIN" PART 1WHAT IS THE SECRET REASON WOLVERINE JOINED THE X-MEN?The X-Men event of the fall begins in this one-shot! For years, Logan has been a man without a past, whose memories existed only as conflicting fragments. And Charles Xavier has been a master of his own mind and others. Now the tables are turned, and as WOLVERINE struggles to rescue his son, DAKEN, from the evil and darkness that have consumed him, PROFESSOR X comes face-to-face with the most terrifying secret of all! 48 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99WOLVERINE: ORIGINS #29 Written by DANIEL WAY, Pencils by MIKE DEODATOCover by MIKE DEODATO & RICHARD ISANOVEZombie Variant by MIKE DEODATO“ORIGINAL SIN” PART 3Continued from X-MEN LEGACY 217! It’s WOLVERINE versus the HELLFIRE CLUB as he seeks his missing son, DAKEN! The bodies will fly and the blood will run as PROFESSOR X learns the secret of Wolverine’s early days with the original new X-MEN! Things were not as they seemed--but who was deceiving whom? And is there time to save Daken’s soul?32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99
Lee: Question, what’s the best way to screw the fanboy? If you guessed run a three part crossover in three different books then you guessed correctly. I can’t wait to see how they collect this into a trade. Actually, I can wait because I won’t be buying it. So, on top of the ridiculous cross over aspect they add yet another ret-con “why Wolverine joined the X-men”. Can anyone explain ALL of Wolverine’s back story anymore? Anyone?Jim: Thank god Wolverine has his memories back because the rest of us don’t. What ticks me off is that I have actually been enjoying X-Men Legacy and I’m now pissed that I have to buy Wolverine Origins which I tried for about 10 issues and could not take it anymore.
WOLVERINE: MANIFEST DESTINY #1 (of 4) Written by Jason Aaron, Penciled by Stephen
Segovia, Cover by DAVE WILKINSThe X-Men have arrived in San Francisco--but Wolverine finds he’s left more than his heart there! Something happened in Chinatown more than 50 years ago…something that the people there still have not forgotten. And now Logan finds himself a marked man, pursued by fighters from every dojo in town--not to mention the mystical warriors of the criminal Triad and their merciless leader…who just happens to be Logan's ex-girlfriend. Guess you shoulda stayed in New York, huh bub? 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99
Lee: What a can of worms Wolverines memory has become. Seriously, they have made the character a joke. In the past 6 months we learned about Wolverine in WWII, with Mystique during Prohibition, and now in the 1950’s. I’m waiting for Wolverine vs. Julius Ceaser with the fate of the Roman Empire at stake. DUM DUM DUM. That’s supposed to be the drum beat and not my feelings about the story. Although dumb dumb dumb sorta sums it all up.
Jim: That Wolverine in Rome story sounds great, where did you hear about that one Lee? Seriously a long time ago someone should have written a bible on his back story. The one plus this mini-series has going for it is Jason Aaron is writing it.
X-FORCE #8 Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE Pencils & Cover by MIKE CHOI “OLD GHOSTS” The Vanisher now possesses the one thing that can kill every mutant on the planet. Guess who just made X-Force’s hit list? The hunt begins in Japan, but Wolverine and his team aren't the only ones after him. And in an attempt to make peace with the blood on his hands, Warpath goes to visit his brother’s grave...but what he finds when he arrives means the killing has just begun. Part 2 (OF 4) 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99
Lee: Can someone explain why the Vanisher suddenly has tattoos all over him? I agree his original green fan head costume was bad but someone explain to me how covering him in tattoos is supposed to make it better! I understand that comics just reflect society’s current style trends but I missed when people started getting tattoos all over their face.
Jim: It’s not a tattoo its face paint! He’s just got home from the Kiss Revival tour. Tattoos are silly. Face paint is cool. (Odd I must have blacked out as I do not remember making this comment.)
X-MEN: MANIFEST DESTINY #2 (of 4) Written by MIKE
CAREY & CHRIS YOST Penciled by MICHAEL RYAN & VARIOUSCover by HUMBERTO RAMOS Mike Carey’s Iceman saga continues as things take a dark turn for Bobby Drake with the emergence of an old, deadly foe of the X-Men. Will this spell disaster for our hero or a new chapter in the history of this original X-Man? Also, Emma Frost as you’ve never seen her before. And find out what Boom Boom has been up to since NEXTWAVE!48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Lee: OOOHHHH does Mike Carey have his work cut out for him here! Boom Boom was awesome in Nextwave but Ellis did a number on her character. I don’t understand why they want to bring her back. I really don’t know what personality they are going to use, the Ellis Nextwave one or her standard X-men one.
Jim: How many X-books can they crank out? I think it was last year when DC was churning out more books then god and now Marvel seems to have the swamp the market mentality kicked into high gear.
SECRET WARS OMNIBUS HC Written by JIM SHOOTER, TOM DEFALCO, DAN SLOTT, DANNY FINGEROTH & JAY FAERBERPenciled by MIKE ZECK, BOB LAYTON, RON FRENZ, PAUL PELLETIER, MARK BAGLEY & GREGG SCHIGIEL “SECRET WARS is one of only a handful of books that truly distil the essence of Marvel comics.” -- Comicsbulletin.com Collecting SECRET WARS #1-12 -- plus THOR #383, SHE-HULK (2004) #10, and WHAT IF? (1989) #4 and #114.384 PGS./All Ages …$99.99Trim size: oversized
Lee: Did you read the quote from ComicsBulletin???? Did the reviewer read the series???? Is he/she kidding me? Secret Wars distills the essence of Marvel Comics? OMG, this explains why Marvel is so messed up. Let’s not even discuss how ridiculous $100 for a Secret Wars HC is!
Jim: So you aren’t getting this! $100 for this series, I don’t think so.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ATLAS ERA JOURNEY INTO
MYSTERY VOL. 1 HC Written by STAN LEE & VARIOUSPenciled by GENE COLAN, RUSS HEATH, JOHN ROMITA, JERRY ROBINSON, DICK AYERS, JOE MANEELY, TONY DiPRETA, ED WINIARSKI, JACK ABEL, PAUL REINMAN, JOHN FORTE, MORT LAWRENCE, SAM KWESKIN, CAL MASSEY, MAC PAKULA, VICCARRABOTTA, JAY SCOTT PIKE, HOWARD POST, CARL HUBBELL, DICK BRIEFER, ED GOLDFARB, BILL BENULIS, AL LUSTER, C.A. WINTER & VARIOUSCover by RUSS HEATHCollecting JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #1-10.272 PGS./All Ages …$59.99
Lee: The artists in this collection are fantastic. I’m getting it for Maneely’s art alone. The rest are just gravy for me.
Jim: I’m getting it because Journey Into Mystery abbreviated spells JIM, awesome. I’m such a sucker for this stuff. I will have to quit collecting in a few years just so I can read everything I have in trade and hard cover.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE X-MEN VOL. 7 HC Written by STEVE ENGLEHART, GERRY CONWAY,STAN LEE & ARCHIE GOODWINPenciled by TOM SUTTON, GIL KANE, HERB TRIMPE,BOB BROWN, MARIE SEVERIN & JIM STARLINCover by GIL KANEAMAZING ADVENTURES #11-17, INCREDIBLE HULK #150 and 161, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #92, MARVEL TEAM-UP #4, and the rare X-MEN #67-80 and ANNUAL covers, this volume is a must-have for every mutant madman.240 PGS./All Ages …$54.99
Lee: If you’re going to get picky about which Masterworks you’re getting this is probably a good one to skip. But, if you’re a die hard Marvel bronze fan like me then there’s no way you can skip this. I am very happy that Marvel is into the bronze age material because I love it all.
Jim: I was iffy on this one, but the Beast series had its moments. I’m still worried as we are getting into the timeframe when Marvel books did not all age well.
CIVIL WAR HC Written by MARK MILLARPenciled by STEVE
MCNIVENCovers by STEVE MCNIVEN & MICHAEL TURNER The landscape of the Marvel Universe is changing, and it's time to choose: Whose side are you on? A conflict has been brewing from more than a year, threatening to pit friend against friend, brother against brother -- and all it will take is a single misstep to cost thousands their lives and ignite the fuse! As the war claims its first victims, no one is safe as teams, friendships and families begin to fall apart. The crossover that rewrites the rules, Civil War stars Spider-Man, the New Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and the entirety of the Marvel pantheon! Collecting CIVIL WAR #1-7, MARVEL SPOTLIGHT: CIVIL WAR and CIVIL WAR SCRIPT BOOK.512 PGS./Rated T+ …$39.99, Trim size: oversized
Lee: I didn’t read Civil War but if I remember correctly this wasn’t even close to being self contained. Which means… an omnibus (which this is) of just the main title really won’t tell you the whole story. Am I wrong on this?
Jim: This is the main title and it really does not hold together as a story in and of itself.
SKY DOLL PREMIERE HC Written by BARBARA CANEPA & ALESSANDRO BARBUCCIStory by BARBARA CANEPA & ALESSANDRO BARBUCCIArt and Cover by ALESSANDRO BARBUCCI & BARBARA CANEPA English Adaptation by C.B. CEBULSKI The internationally acclaimed best-seller, collected in hardcover for the first time in English! Meet Noa, a so-called Sky Doll; a life-like female android without rights, who exists only to serve the State's needs and desires. But when Noa meets two so-called "missionaries" who aid in her escape from her tyrannical master, all hell breaks loose for our cyborg siren as she uncovers clues that she may be much more than just a robotic toy. The first release in a new partnership between Marvel and cutting-edge French publisher Soleil! Collecting SKY DOLL #1-3.152 PGS./Mature …$24.99
Lee: I love that this is getting the HC treatment. I was worried that Marvel might skip doing hc’s for their Euro books. I’m sold!
Jim: I’m happy about it also, but I’m skipping Sky Doll, but Universe War One is great so far.
DAREDEVIL: CRUEL AND UNUSUAL TPB Written by ED
BRUBAKER & GREG RUCKAPenciled by PAUL AZACETA & MICHAEL LARKCover by MARKO DJURDJEVICMATT MURDOCK TAKES A NEW CASE! Still reeling from the conclusion of his battle with Mr. Fear, an old friend dragsMatt Murdock back into the light of day by bringing him the last-minute appeal of a Marvel villain now sitting on death row. What will Matt do when confronted with a bad guy who is completely innocent of the crime of which he was convicted? Collecting DAREDEVIL #106-110.120 PGS./Rated T+ …$14.99
Lee: Someone explain why they put the Bendis run in those big fancy HC’s but they didn’t do the same for Brubakers run. Brubaker’s run has been very good and would look great in HC. I think Marvel is missing the boat on this one.
Jim: Why are you assuming we won’t see a hardcover down the road? I’m sure it will happen.
SPIDER-MAN: A NEW GOBLIN TPB Written by LEN WEIN Penciled by ROSS ANDRUCover by ROSS ANDRU Peter Parker's proven time and again that you can't keep a good man down, but keeping a BAD one down is even harder! Norman Osborn's supposed to be dead, so who's going bats in the green-and-purple togs now? Whether the latest Green Goblin is an old friend or a new enemy, he's out to conquer the underworld -- so Silvermane wants him dead, whether he kills Spider-Man first or not! Spidey fights both sides of a mob war, but the war's end may come in the form of another Goblin -- if he doesn't take down everyone else! Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #176-180.96 PGS./All Ages …$12.99
Lee: I’ll show my age and say that I like this trade. It’s a good storyline from back in the day. It’s got great art. It’s something I will enjoy and something I can share with my kids. Consider me sold.
Jim: Blechh. I’ll show my age and say I started with Steve Ditko Spider-Man and by this time frame Spider-Man was a pale copy of what he had been.
WEAPON OMEGA TPB Written by RICH KOSLOWSKI, Penciled by ANDREAD DI VITO, Cover
by MIKE CHOIOmega Flight's Michael Pointer (a.k.a. Guardian) faces down demons both internal and external. What is happening to him -- and who is responsible? Featuring U.S.Agent! Collecting MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #1-12 ("Weapon Omega"). Plus the Omega Flight prequel from the CIVIL WAR: THE INITIATIVE One-Shot.112 PGS./Rated T+ …$12.99
Lee: Isn’t that interesting. They are breaking out the stories from Marvel Comics Presents. Which means if I don’t buy the series they will only collect the stories which are good. OR better yet, put in trade the ones I want so I don’t have to wade through all the filler. I understand why they did it but I don’t think it’s good for the sales of the floppie.
Jim: OMG, we finally got to your last selection. Yipee! Yahoo!
Lee: This was an absolutely brutal month full of drivel and trash. I really need to do these reviews after I’ve been drinking for an extended period because I can’t take much more of this.
Jim: Wow not only was Lee tough on Marvel this month (and usually that is my job), but this thing went on forever. Which is why it had to be 2 posts!
Segovia, Cover by DAVE WILKINSThe X-Men have arrived in San Francisco--but Wolverine finds he’s left more than his heart there! Something happened in Chinatown more than 50 years ago…something that the people there still have not forgotten. And now Logan finds himself a marked man, pursued by fighters from every dojo in town--not to mention the mystical warriors of the criminal Triad and their merciless leader…who just happens to be Logan's ex-girlfriend. Guess you shoulda stayed in New York, huh bub? 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99Lee: What a can of worms Wolverines memory has become. Seriously, they have made the character a joke. In the past 6 months we learned about Wolverine in WWII, with Mystique during Prohibition, and now in the 1950’s. I’m waiting for Wolverine vs. Julius Ceaser with the fate of the Roman Empire at stake. DUM DUM DUM. That’s supposed to be the drum beat and not my feelings about the story. Although dumb dumb dumb sorta sums it all up.
Jim: That Wolverine in Rome story sounds great, where did you hear about that one Lee? Seriously a long time ago someone should have written a bible on his back story. The one plus this mini-series has going for it is Jason Aaron is writing it.
X-FORCE #8 Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE Pencils & Cover by MIKE CHOI “OLD GHOSTS” The Vanisher now possesses the one thing that can kill every mutant on the planet. Guess who just made X-Force’s hit list? The hunt begins in Japan, but Wolverine and his team aren't the only ones after him. And in an attempt to make peace with the blood on his hands, Warpath goes to visit his brother’s grave...but what he finds when he arrives means the killing has just begun. Part 2 (OF 4) 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99Lee: Can someone explain why the Vanisher suddenly has tattoos all over him? I agree his original green fan head costume was bad but someone explain to me how covering him in tattoos is supposed to make it better! I understand that comics just reflect society’s current style trends but I missed when people started getting tattoos all over their face.
Jim: It’s not a tattoo its face paint! He’s just got home from the Kiss Revival tour. Tattoos are silly. Face paint is cool. (Odd I must have blacked out as I do not remember making this comment.)
X-MEN: MANIFEST DESTINY #2 (of 4) Written by MIKE
CAREY & CHRIS YOST Penciled by MICHAEL RYAN & VARIOUSCover by HUMBERTO RAMOS Mike Carey’s Iceman saga continues as things take a dark turn for Bobby Drake with the emergence of an old, deadly foe of the X-Men. Will this spell disaster for our hero or a new chapter in the history of this original X-Man? Also, Emma Frost as you’ve never seen her before. And find out what Boom Boom has been up to since NEXTWAVE!48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99Lee: OOOHHHH does Mike Carey have his work cut out for him here! Boom Boom was awesome in Nextwave but Ellis did a number on her character. I don’t understand why they want to bring her back. I really don’t know what personality they are going to use, the Ellis Nextwave one or her standard X-men one.
Jim: How many X-books can they crank out? I think it was last year when DC was churning out more books then god and now Marvel seems to have the swamp the market mentality kicked into high gear.
SECRET WARS OMNIBUS HC Written by JIM SHOOTER, TOM DEFALCO, DAN SLOTT, DANNY FINGEROTH & JAY FAERBERPenciled by MIKE ZECK, BOB LAYTON, RON FRENZ, PAUL PELLETIER, MARK BAGLEY & GREGG SCHIGIEL “SECRET WARS is one of only a handful of books that truly distil the essence of Marvel comics.” -- Comicsbulletin.com Collecting SECRET WARS #1-12 -- plus THOR #383, SHE-HULK (2004) #10, and WHAT IF? (1989) #4 and #114.384 PGS./All Ages …$99.99Trim size: oversizedLee: Did you read the quote from ComicsBulletin???? Did the reviewer read the series???? Is he/she kidding me? Secret Wars distills the essence of Marvel Comics? OMG, this explains why Marvel is so messed up. Let’s not even discuss how ridiculous $100 for a Secret Wars HC is!
Jim: So you aren’t getting this! $100 for this series, I don’t think so.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ATLAS ERA JOURNEY INTO
MYSTERY VOL. 1 HC Written by STAN LEE & VARIOUSPenciled by GENE COLAN, RUSS HEATH, JOHN ROMITA, JERRY ROBINSON, DICK AYERS, JOE MANEELY, TONY DiPRETA, ED WINIARSKI, JACK ABEL, PAUL REINMAN, JOHN FORTE, MORT LAWRENCE, SAM KWESKIN, CAL MASSEY, MAC PAKULA, VICCARRABOTTA, JAY SCOTT PIKE, HOWARD POST, CARL HUBBELL, DICK BRIEFER, ED GOLDFARB, BILL BENULIS, AL LUSTER, C.A. WINTER & VARIOUSCover by RUSS HEATHCollecting JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #1-10.272 PGS./All Ages …$59.99Lee: The artists in this collection are fantastic. I’m getting it for Maneely’s art alone. The rest are just gravy for me.
Jim: I’m getting it because Journey Into Mystery abbreviated spells JIM, awesome. I’m such a sucker for this stuff. I will have to quit collecting in a few years just so I can read everything I have in trade and hard cover.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE X-MEN VOL. 7 HC Written by STEVE ENGLEHART, GERRY CONWAY,STAN LEE & ARCHIE GOODWINPenciled by TOM SUTTON, GIL KANE, HERB TRIMPE,BOB BROWN, MARIE SEVERIN & JIM STARLINCover by GIL KANEAMAZING ADVENTURES #11-17, INCREDIBLE HULK #150 and 161, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #92, MARVEL TEAM-UP #4, and the rare X-MEN #67-80 and ANNUAL covers, this volume is a must-have for every mutant madman.240 PGS./All Ages …$54.99Lee: If you’re going to get picky about which Masterworks you’re getting this is probably a good one to skip. But, if you’re a die hard Marvel bronze fan like me then there’s no way you can skip this. I am very happy that Marvel is into the bronze age material because I love it all.
Jim: I was iffy on this one, but the Beast series had its moments. I’m still worried as we are getting into the timeframe when Marvel books did not all age well.
CIVIL WAR HC Written by MARK MILLARPenciled by STEVE
MCNIVENCovers by STEVE MCNIVEN & MICHAEL TURNER The landscape of the Marvel Universe is changing, and it's time to choose: Whose side are you on? A conflict has been brewing from more than a year, threatening to pit friend against friend, brother against brother -- and all it will take is a single misstep to cost thousands their lives and ignite the fuse! As the war claims its first victims, no one is safe as teams, friendships and families begin to fall apart. The crossover that rewrites the rules, Civil War stars Spider-Man, the New Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and the entirety of the Marvel pantheon! Collecting CIVIL WAR #1-7, MARVEL SPOTLIGHT: CIVIL WAR and CIVIL WAR SCRIPT BOOK.512 PGS./Rated T+ …$39.99, Trim size: oversizedLee: I didn’t read Civil War but if I remember correctly this wasn’t even close to being self contained. Which means… an omnibus (which this is) of just the main title really won’t tell you the whole story. Am I wrong on this?
Jim: This is the main title and it really does not hold together as a story in and of itself.
SKY DOLL PREMIERE HC Written by BARBARA CANEPA & ALESSANDRO BARBUCCIStory by BARBARA CANEPA & ALESSANDRO BARBUCCIArt and Cover by ALESSANDRO BARBUCCI & BARBARA CANEPA English Adaptation by C.B. CEBULSKI The internationally acclaimed best-seller, collected in hardcover for the first time in English! Meet Noa, a so-called Sky Doll; a life-like female android without rights, who exists only to serve the State's needs and desires. But when Noa meets two so-called "missionaries" who aid in her escape from her tyrannical master, all hell breaks loose for our cyborg siren as she uncovers clues that she may be much more than just a robotic toy. The first release in a new partnership between Marvel and cutting-edge French publisher Soleil! Collecting SKY DOLL #1-3.152 PGS./Mature …$24.99Lee: I love that this is getting the HC treatment. I was worried that Marvel might skip doing hc’s for their Euro books. I’m sold!
Jim: I’m happy about it also, but I’m skipping Sky Doll, but Universe War One is great so far.
DAREDEVIL: CRUEL AND UNUSUAL TPB Written by ED
BRUBAKER & GREG RUCKAPenciled by PAUL AZACETA & MICHAEL LARKCover by MARKO DJURDJEVICMATT MURDOCK TAKES A NEW CASE! Still reeling from the conclusion of his battle with Mr. Fear, an old friend dragsMatt Murdock back into the light of day by bringing him the last-minute appeal of a Marvel villain now sitting on death row. What will Matt do when confronted with a bad guy who is completely innocent of the crime of which he was convicted? Collecting DAREDEVIL #106-110.120 PGS./Rated T+ …$14.99Lee: Someone explain why they put the Bendis run in those big fancy HC’s but they didn’t do the same for Brubakers run. Brubaker’s run has been very good and would look great in HC. I think Marvel is missing the boat on this one.
Jim: Why are you assuming we won’t see a hardcover down the road? I’m sure it will happen.
SPIDER-MAN: A NEW GOBLIN TPB Written by LEN WEIN Penciled by ROSS ANDRUCover by ROSS ANDRU Peter Parker's proven time and again that you can't keep a good man down, but keeping a BAD one down is even harder! Norman Osborn's supposed to be dead, so who's going bats in the green-and-purple togs now? Whether the latest Green Goblin is an old friend or a new enemy, he's out to conquer the underworld -- so Silvermane wants him dead, whether he kills Spider-Man first or not! Spidey fights both sides of a mob war, but the war's end may come in the form of another Goblin -- if he doesn't take down everyone else! Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #176-180.96 PGS./All Ages …$12.99Lee: I’ll show my age and say that I like this trade. It’s a good storyline from back in the day. It’s got great art. It’s something I will enjoy and something I can share with my kids. Consider me sold.
Jim: Blechh. I’ll show my age and say I started with Steve Ditko Spider-Man and by this time frame Spider-Man was a pale copy of what he had been.
WEAPON OMEGA TPB Written by RICH KOSLOWSKI, Penciled by ANDREAD DI VITO, Cover
by MIKE CHOIOmega Flight's Michael Pointer (a.k.a. Guardian) faces down demons both internal and external. What is happening to him -- and who is responsible? Featuring U.S.Agent! Collecting MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #1-12 ("Weapon Omega"). Plus the Omega Flight prequel from the CIVIL WAR: THE INITIATIVE One-Shot.112 PGS./Rated T+ …$12.99Lee: Isn’t that interesting. They are breaking out the stories from Marvel Comics Presents. Which means if I don’t buy the series they will only collect the stories which are good. OR better yet, put in trade the ones I want so I don’t have to wade through all the filler. I understand why they did it but I don’t think it’s good for the sales of the floppie.
Jim: OMG, we finally got to your last selection. Yipee! Yahoo!
Lee: This was an absolutely brutal month full of drivel and trash. I really need to do these reviews after I’ve been drinking for an extended period because I can’t take much more of this.
Jim: Wow not only was Lee tough on Marvel this month (and usually that is my job), but this thing went on forever. Which is why it had to be 2 posts!
Lee, hopefully they'll collect Brubaker's run in an Absolute version. Whatever Marvel's version of that is.
ReplyDeleteThat 3-part X-Men crossover is why I stopped reading those issues. They have really managed to screw up the group all over again. They would be better served letting all those books die out and reboot in a few years, but that'll never happen.
I'm really growing fond of one-shots. This week's X-men Origins: Jean Grey comic may win the category of issue of the year! I absolutely loved it. So, Alan Davis on a Thor one-shot is awesome. Even though they're likely to publish it in a HC or trade eventually (especially the Jean Grey story, since there will be more X-men Origin issues coming out), a one-shot is great for the buyer. They get a comic that they like with no other commitment. You don't have to worry (for the most part) that the mini-series you bought will be cheaper collected a few months down the road. You don't have to worry about your on-going series "nuking the fridge" either eventually.
ReplyDeleteI do like the Ross cover for the Secret Wars HC, but it should be in the $75 ($50 Amazon range), not $100. I've got the original and I don't even fondly remember that one. I was searching for the latest Omnibus news on Amazon yesterday and get this...Marvel is also putting out a Secret Wars II Omnibus. I got rid of my original years ago, but on the plus side it will have ALL of the cross-over titles, so it might actually be decent. It's as big as the Spider-man Omni.
I loved your Journey into Mystery comment, Jim! That's why I choose Disney MGM studios to visit in Florida, because of my initials. Of course, they changed the name since then.
I think the Beast Masterworks looks pretty good too, but I'm an Omni guy.
Lee is totally right and Jim is totally WRONG about the "New Goblin" trade. My first issue of Amazing was #172 (intro of the Rocket Racer) and that Goblin storyline is one of my favortes!!! Ross Andru rules!
Trinity was awesome this week (best issue yet) and Booster Gold was really funny as always.