Marvel Previews Review for March 2011 Part 1 of 2

Lee: So, how to start the dialogue this month. Should I use the old faithful Jim, "I hate it all!" or try to develop my own voice. How about "I just hate most of it." Yeah, that sounds like me.
Greg: Such a positive, open minded atmosphere here on the blog.

FEAR ITSELF: PROLOGUE
Written by Ed Brubaker Pencils by Scot Eaton
Cover by Marko Djurdjevic
Variant Cover by Joe Quesada
All the Red Skull's terrible secrets and plans are in the hands of his evil daughter, Sin, who's intent on outdoing her father... Now find out about the Skull's most-dangerous World War II mission, that he risked everything for...and how it's going to tear the Marvel Universe apart today. Fear Itself starts here...in the darkest secrets of the past! 32 PGS./ $3.99
Lee: Let's start the bile off right with the latest Marvel cross-over disaster! The best I can do is hurray for Scott Eaton. He's a great guy and an under rated talent in the business. Other than that... I will leave it to Greg to say something nice.
Greg: I still can't get over the fact that Marvel publishes crossovers that aren't X-Men centric. A Cap-Thor based crossover? My inner 13 year old is doing backflips. My outer 27 year old is nervous. Still, its got Scot Eaton and some guy called Ed Brubaker writing it, so its probably worth a look.

VENOM #1
Written by Rick Remender Penciled by Tony Moore
Cover, Sketch Variant Cover by Joe Quesada
Variant Cover by Paulo Siqueira
America...meet your newest Hero! The lethal alien symbiote known as Venom is in the custody of the U.S. military…and with a familiar face from Spider-Man’s world inside the suit, the government’s own personal Spidey is going into action as one of the nation’s top covert agents in hostile territory! 40 PGS./ $3.99
Lee: It seems the king of overexposure, Deadpool, is being challenged by the former king of overexposure, Venom, for the title of most over exposed character. For now, Deadpool remains in the lead with far too many books. But Venom seems to be making a comeback! I am just giddy with excitement at the prospect of over two dozen titles dedicated to just these characters.
Greg: I am always up for a Rick Remender and Tony Moore comic, but even more so when its about a character that can become a monster that eats people.

5 RONIN #1 - # 5
Written by Peter MilliganPenciled by Tomm Coker, Dalibor TalajiC, Laurence Campbell, Goran Parlov & Leandro FernandezCovers by John Cassaday, Mark Brooks, Giuseppe Camuncoli, David Mack, Ed McGuiness & David Aja5 Books, 5 Heroes—1 unforgettable story of heroes pushed to their limits. It is 17th century Japan, a time and place of violent upheaval, wandering Ronin, and mysterious Geisha. Into this strange and dangerous world come Wolverine, Pyslocke, Punisher, Hulk and Deadpool. Five of Marvel’s greatest heroes…as you’ve never seen them before. Each has been wronged by a powerful tyrant. Each has taken a solemn vow…of vengeance! 5 Books, 5 Heroes, 5 Weeks…1 spell-binding story. 32 PGS./ $2.99
Lee: I’m to the point where I enjoy these 5 week events more than anything else. A great writer. A pack of great artists. What’s not to like about this?
Greg: I honestly can't make up my mind if I find this interesting or a dreadfully bad idea. If nothing else, it'll look pretty.

RUSE #1 (of 4)
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Mirco Pierfederici
Cover by Butch Guice & Mike Perkins
Renowned as the Victorian world's greatest detective, Simon Archard is the most intelligent of men. But when he crosses paths with the mysterious and enchanting Emma Bishop, has the smartest man in the world met his equal? 32 PGS./ $2.99
SIGIL #1 (of 4)
Written by Mike Carey
Penciled by Leonard Kirk
Cover by Jelena Kevic-Djurjevic
Lee: It’s good to see these books back even if it is only a miniseries. They were both good books when they were released and I bet they will be good again. I am far more interested in the Ruse book because that was excellent.
Greg: I like what Marvel's doing by bringing back these two Crossgen books. They're not only two of the best things that company was putting out, but they also expand the content of their line. And by divesting them of all that interconnected universe nonsense, it may not fall off the raisl this time around.

EMMA # 1 (of 5)
Written by Nancy Butler
Art & Cover by Janet Lee
Award-winning author Nancy Butler, adapter of Marvel’s best-selling Adaptations, Sense And Sensibility and Pride And Prejudice brings you another Jane Austen classic! Joined with the beautiful illustrations of Janet Lee, Butler brings to life Austen's most precocious heroine, Emma Woodhouse. Discover what has made this story so enduring, as its re-told in the Mighty Marvel manner! 32 PGS./ $3.99
Lee: I picked this so I could point out how messed up Marvel is. Girl is getting to the point where she is reading this type of material. We have worked our way through the Little House on the Prairie Books, we currently working on Anne of the Green Gables. What are the chances she would like a book like this? EXCELLENT. But, $4 for a book that I know is going to be destroyed in less than 10 minutes is just too much. I can buy a Sonic comic for $1 less and she will enjoy it just as much. I wish Marvel could see past the next 10 minutes and actually give me the tools to help them cultivate an audience for the future.
Greg: Well, I think Marvel is really publishing this for a collected edition and putting it out as individual issues to recoup costs. Apparently this makes more money than just a straight up graphic novel, even if it doesn't make as much sense.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #656
Written by Dan Slott Art & Cover by Marcos Martin
Captain America 70th AnniversaryVariant Cover by Joe QuesadaThe debut of the New Spider-Armor! If Spider-Man hopes to find a way to defeat his new nemesis Massacre, he’ll need the help of his all new, all-power costume! But will protecting the people of New York mean that Spider-Man finally takes the last measure-- killing a bloodthirsty madman when there are no other options? (by the way, your first answer is wrong!) 40 PGS./ $3.99
Lee: Spider armor??? Go ahead Greg. Explain to me how this is a good idea because I got nothing.
Greg: A NEW COSTUME FOR A WHOLE STORY ARC! ITS THE END OF COMICS AS WE KNOW IT! SOMEONE BUY ME A PS3 SO I HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH ALL THIS SPARE TIME!!!!! Actually, this book has been strong enough lately that I'll cut it some slack. Also, that armor looks like something that only Marcos Martin is capable of drawing well, so I doubt we'll be seeing too much of it after this story.

The conclusion to this mess tomorrow...