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Mighty Avengers, Vol. 3: Secret Invasion, Book 1 (v. 3)

Brian Michael Bendis

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Issue clarification 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I just wanted to clarify that this book DOES NOT contain issues 12 through 19 as Amazon's description states. It only contains issues 12 through 15 which is a big difference in terms of content amount. Issues 16 though 20 will be in Book 2 released in January. Likewise, New Avengers Secret Invasion Book 1 also contains less issues than Amazon is stating although in this case it is only missing issue 43. Again, this will be in the corresponding book 2 released in Jauary.

The "not so secret" side of Secret Invasion 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Like New Avengers, Mighty Avengers shifts gears into revealing additional aspects of what's going on as Secret Invasion runs it's course, and also like New Avengers, what you find in these Secret Invasion-based issues is pretty compelling material that fills in some gaps and fleshes out the overall backstory of Brian Michael Bendis' massive tale. This hardcover collection begins with revealing just what Nick Fury has been up to lately, staying in the shadows and in disguise (love the Sam Jackson-looking in-joke) as he formulates a strategy against the Skrulls, as well as forming his own team to combat them. Following that, we witness a tale of The Sentry that spells a bit on his place during this mega Marvel event, and finishes with the revelation of just how Hank Pym became replaced by one of the shape-shifting aliens. There's solid artwork throughout by frequent Bendis collaborator Alex Maleev, as well as Khoi Pham and the great John Romita Jr., with this book's only drawback being that it is way too short. Collecting only four issues, it seems Marvel's storyarcs and TPB's are getting shorter and shorter for the same list price. That aside though, there's much to admire here as Bendis fills out some gaps in the overall Secret Invasion saga, as well as planting seeds for future events to follow as well.

Editorial Review:

Where has Nick Fury been, and who are the new Howling Commandos? It's the debut of all-new characters and some surprising revelations about some classic ones as Nick starts to put his plan to stop the Invasion together. But will it be enough? Collects Mighty Avengers #12-19.

The Boys Vol. 2: Get Some (v. 2)

Garth Ennis

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

3.5 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I really loved the first Boys collection. I found it fresh, originally and at times shocking. But most of all, I found the writing to be really good backed with tremendous art. Get Some has it's shocking moments for sure, but the story seemed lacking for me. Also the fill in artist for the last two issues really took the momentum out of the story. It was passable art, but nowhere near the quality of Robertson. I am also getting a bit distracted with all of the British slang. It's not bad, and it is realistic since many of the characters are British, but sometimes it stops the flow of the story for me. I will pick up the 3rd volume. I hope it will get my interest back.

Editorial Review:

The second volume of Garth Ennis and Darick Roberston's acclaimed series The Boys is here! BIGGER! THICKER! UNCUT! (not that Garth would ever allow this gang of idiots to cut anything!) Get Some collects issues 7-14 of the critically acclaimed series and is an excellent companion to Dynamite's best-selling Volume I trade "The Name of the Game! These issues feature the legend the story of the Tek-Knight and the team's journey to frozen Russia!

Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 20: Ultimate Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (v. 20)

Brian Michael Bendis

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Is this series ever going to slow down? 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Every time I read an Ultimate Spider-Man collection, I think the series must have hit it's peak. But the stories so constantly entertaining -- intense without being bleak, emotional without being sappy.
This is the first full collection with new artist Stuart Immonen after years of Mark Bagley as sole artist. Mr. Bagly defined the look and feel of the series, but Mr. Immonen steps in with his own excellent take on Spider-Man's world. It was sad to see Mr. Bagley go, but I'm looking forward to more from Mr. Bagley.

One of the best aspect of USM is seeing Peter Parker's personal life. This volume furthers the relationship with Mary Jane (just a bit) and gives us more of ex-girlfriend (and X-Man) Kitty Pride. The writing is so good that the conversations in the high school hall are just as exciting as the battle with the Goblin.

This is a great read and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Editorial Review:

"Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends!" Things are changing in the young life of Peter Parker: Johnny Storm of the Fantastic Four is now his buddy - and the hot-headed super hero has taken a liking to Peter's classmate, Liz Allen! But something is horribly wrong with Liz - something that will soon affect the life of every student at Midtown High - including Peter's ex-girlfriend, Kitty Pryde! Collects Ultimate Spider-Man #118-123.

Ex Machina Vol. 7: Ex Cathedra

Brian Vaughan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Issues #30-34 of this excellent Vertigo/DC series 5 out of 5 stars.
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Vaughn and Harris return with a seventh collection of this fine series. Issues #30-33 comprise a four-part story arc centered on Mayor Hundred's visit to the Vatican to meet Pope John Paul II, and the shadowy, ruthless individuals that pursue him. As the title implies, religion is a key theme of this plotline. Issue #34 focuses on Police Commissioner Angiotti and her relationship with Hundred. As in previous volumes, brief intermittent segments reveal more of The Great Machine's superhero career. Fans of the series will not be disappointed by this latest installment.

Read Slowly and Savor This Gem 4 out of 5 stars.
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Ever since getting on board with Ex Machina after its first volume, I literally cannot wait for each new volume to be released. That's why, after months of looking forward to Ex Cathedra, I couldn't help but initially feel a little disappointment. However, after a second reading, my opinion changed drastically. More on that in a moment.

Like I said, because I count down the days until certain books come out, I tend to pick them up as soon as possible and tear right through them. I did that with Ex Cathedra, neglecting to let it sit on my tongue and savor it. I forgot what originally drew me to Ex Machina was the fact that it was really unlike anything else, and so when I first read Ex Cathedra and didn't get it, I thought, "What is this? I waited for this?" It seemed directionless, pointless, and haphazard to me.

But then I decided I read it too fast, and (as much to get my money's worth as anything), I determined I should give it another go.

On the second read, I picked up on a lot of parallels that I missed the first time around. In Ex Cathedra, Mayor Hundred (a former super hero who stopped the destruction of one of the Twin Towers) is invited to the Vatican to visit the Pope before his death. When Hundred arrives, a Father reveals he arranged for Hundred's visit to investigate the origins of Hundred's abilities, even claiming the mayor may be the antichrist. However, the Pope still wants an audience with Hundred, which prompts a Russian conspirator to use Hundred as an assassin by tapping into Hundred's machine-friendly mind. I won't spoil the ending, but let's say that Hundred has some incredible revelations as he tries to resist killing the Pope.

Brian K. Vaughan offers a very brief story (four issues) full of nuance and punch--if read carefully. As usual, Vaughan interrupts the present-day unveiling of the tale with flashbacks to Hundred's The Great Machine days (his super hero identity). In this volume, those flashbacks each deal with a different perspective on religion, which amplifies the main story, the one unfolding in Hundred's here-and-now. This author technique is effective because it continues to give us insight into Mayor Hundred's character, his days as a super hero, and his various reactions to different situations involving religions. This, of course, helps us understand his motives and reactions when meeting the Pope.

Artist Tony Harris continues to rock on Ex Machina. His figures, clothing, architecture, and layouts are charismatic without being distracting. His art works to supplement and progress the story, which is the idea in such a visual medium. Harris, in my opinion, is one of the best in the business and deserves more recognition.

Finally, Vaughan takes the time to help us get to know Commissioner Angotti a little better by giving us some background on her all-the-while moving she and Hundred's professional relationship forward and in a new, less combative direction. While this stand-alone issue has some very serious themes, there's also quite a bit of comic book in-jokes, especially involving another famous hero and Commissioner team.

In Ex Cathedra, I was initially guilty of forgetting what draws me to Ex Machina on a regular basis. I forgot I love this title because it's like nothing else, and once I slowed down and gave it the time it deserved, I really saw it for the gem it is.

Scott William Foley, author of Souls Triumphant

Batman: Haunted Knight

Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 32 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Batman Fights Scarecrow and Mad Hatter 4 out of 5 stars.
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The Scarecrow and Mad Hatter as real Batman villains, the way it should be! Not as filler characters as in other Halloween books like The Long Halloween and Dark Victory. Only problem is they are short stories since there are 3 stories in this book. The last story sucks so much as Bruce Wayne gets visited by spirits of his past a la A Christmas Carol.

Another excellent graphic novel by Jeph Loeb/Tim Sale 5 out of 5 stars.
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Just like Loeb/Sale's "Batman: Long Halloween" and "Batman: Dark Victory", "Batman: Haunted Knight" is another holiday themed graphic novel. It is a trio of short stories which are nothing short of amazing. In the first story, Scarecrow is prowling about Gotham on Halloween night. The second story is based around the Mad Hatter and his obsession with Lewis Carrol's "Alice and Wonderland". Finally, the third story is a batman christmas carrolesque story in which batman learns a life lesson from three spirits who take the form of people who have greatly influenced him throughout his years. ((Note: the final story is clearly meant to be like Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". At the beginning of the graphic novel it says "Ghosts based on a christmas carol"))
The artwork by Sale is amazing and as always, Loeb continues to prove he knows how to tell a great story.

Editorial Review:

In the city of the demented villains, Halloween brings out the worst of the lot. This edition collects three of Batman's Halloween adventures in which he takes on some of the most fearsome and twisted foes--The Scarecrow, The Mad Hatter, and The Penguin. Graphic novel format. Available in September.

Incredible Hulk: Planet Hulk

Greg Pak

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 57 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A true Hulk epic 5 out of 5 stars.
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As a child of the '70s, I bought, scrounged for and read pretty much every issue of every Marvel Silver Age title from about 1962 to '79. This included a complete run of "Hulk" books back through the "Tales To Astonish" days, up through the grievously awful, played-out ploddings of the mid-1970s, and by the time of that decade's end, I was pretty much done with the jolly green giant. From time to time I would pick up random issues of old favorite titles, and I was dimly aware of the ponderous pop psychology of the ongoing Banner-Hulk psychodrama, and of the Bruce-was-abused-as-a-child thread, which seemed like a mistake (and which unfortunately made ts way into the Ang Lee film, much to my dismay...)

Anyway, this is all by way of introduction to say that I am an old-school Hulk fan, a kid who grew up and got bored with the whole "Hulk Smash" thing, even during the times when he was hyperarticulate or gray-colored, or whatever. I still look forward to crossovers where Hulk has an opportunity to, say, peel Tony Stark's armor off or give some other deserving do-gooder a good thumping, but for the most part, it takes a lot to draw be back into the Hulk's orbit.

So, it is my pleasure to say that "Planet Hulk" was a big, pleasant surprise -- a long, intense, entertaining super-story. Maybe a little too long, but still pretty involving, this Hulk-in-outer-space-exile saga is in large part a retelling of the classic '60s story where Hulk meets green-skinned Jarella and becomes a hero-king on a subatomic world, only to have his happiness snatched away from him at the last minute. ("Planet Hulk" makes clever reference to that old story... and Hulk gets some nookie again, at last)

Also, this is a very violent story, with Hulk both taking and dishing out plenty of physical punishment. In sort of a (poorly explained) reverse-Superman effect, Hulk isn't as totally invulnerable as he usually is, so although he seems to be unkillable, he can be stabbed and burned, which is an interesting twist. Anyway, he's plenty mad at the end of this story arc, so I guess I gotta go get me some "World War Hulk" books next. Make Mine Marvel! (Joe Sixpack, ReadThatAgain book reviews)

Editorial Review:

Savage alien planet! Oppressed barbarian tribes! Corrupt emperor! Deadly woman warrior! Gladiators and slaves! Battle axes and hand blasters! Monsters and heroes... and the Incredible Hulk! Let the smashing commence! This deluxe hardcover collects the entire "Planet Hulk" saga, plus extras! Collects Incredible Hulk #92-105, Giant-Size Hulk #1, "Mastermind Excello" story from Amazing Fantasy #15, maps, character designs.

Astonishing X-Men, Vol. 2 (v. 2)

Joss Whedon

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Whedon's epic run comes to a close 5 out of 5 stars.
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Serenity creator Joss Whedon's much beloved (and much delayed) run on Astonishing X-Men comes to an end with these two storyarcs, chronicling his second year on the book. In "Torn", we witness Cyclops, Emma Frost, Wolverine, Shadowcat, Colossus, and Beast enjoy some downtime; which naturally doesn't last long as a newly formed Hellfire Club attempts to take them apart by the inside out. Or so you may think. Whedon's twisting scriptwork leads into "Unstoppable", which catapaults the X-Men into space, and where they learn of the X-Man that is destined to bring about the destruction of the Breakworld. Agent Brand, Ord, and Danger are along for the ride as Whedon brings everything he's set up full-circle, bringing things to a spectacular close involving nearly every major hero in the Marvel Universe, and finding that not every member of the X-Men will be making it back home. Loaded with smart and snappy dialogue and fixed with plenty of surprises, Whedon's run has never managed to disappoint, and his characterization of Kitty Pryde remains the best the character has seen possibly since the days of Chris Claremont. Planetary artist John Cassaday provides more spectacular cinematic artwork as well, with some moments that are simply jaw-dropping. All in all, it's definitely sad to see Joss Whedon's run come to an end, but his work can easily be set next to Grant Morrison's prolific run as simply being the best X-Men stories in eons.

Editorial Review:

This deluxe hardcover collects Astonishing X-Men Volume 3: Torn and Astonishing X-Men Volume 4: Unstoppable by the chart-topping super-team of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday, plus extras. In Torn, things go from peculiar to just plain bizarre! Emma Frost's erratic behavior has the X-Men spinning in a non-stop downward spiral. Will an unlikely union be the final straw? After secretly lying in wait for months, the new Hellfire Club makes its move! Plus: The X-Man destined to destroy the Breakworld stands revealed! Who is it, and what will be their fate? And in Unstoppable, the X-Men are off to protect the Earth from its destruction at the hands of the Breakworld. And when it's all over, nothing will ever be the same! No, really, we mean it! Collects Astonishing X-Men #13-24 and Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1

Batman and Son

Grant Morrison

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 27 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Overly Ambitious and Not Entertaining Enough 2 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I can't tell you the thing I disliked most about this story without giving a major spoiler, so I'll just say that from the first time Damien goes after a villian, the Batman I know would have ended this game. It was convoluted and at times boring. There was no reason to change the basic storyline that had been established in "Son of the Demon", but Morrison does it anyway.

The Joker story and the Epilogue story were really just filler, but I liked the Joker story better than the other stuff in the book.

I could really have done without "Batman and Son."

Editorial Review:

Comic legends Grant Morrison (ALL STAR SUPERMAN, SEVEN SOLDIERS) and Andy Kubert (Ultimate X-Men, 1602) join forces to bring you an unforgettable tale of the Dark Knight.

After Batman faces down an army of winged horrors in a no-holds barred, bone-crunching superbrawl among the treasures of London's Pop Art Museum, Batman receives the greatest shock of his life when he discovers that he has a son. Sparks fly when the new addition to the Bat-family is introduced to Batman's adopted son, Robin, the Boy Wonder. Which one will be chosen to carry on the legacy as Gotham's protector?

All Star Superman, Vol. 1

Grant Morrison

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 40 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Man of Steel 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I need to preface this with an explanation of how much I hate Superman. It's a stupid idea for a comic, there's no drama, no worry over whether or not he'll get hurt, admittedly it was invaluable to comics, but it's no longer relevant.
However, this book is one of three series starring Superman that I actually enjoyed (the other two being Superman: Red Son and The Death of Superman). There's a little bit of cliche in it, but this series seems to be a little more adult, more up-to-date.
In otherwords, even if you don't like Superman, this would be one to pick up.

Editorial Review:

Two of the comics industry's top creative talents, writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely, the acclaimed team behind JLA: EARTH 2, reunite to redefine Superman based on the timeless, essential iconic elements that everyone knows about the Man of Steel.

In the first volume, the World's Greatest Super-Hero rescues a doomed group of astronauts on the surface of the sun when he's exposed to massive amounts of solar radiation no one could possibly anticipate how he'll be affected - except Lex Luthor!

Batman: The Man Who Laughs

Ed Brubaker

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

An Odd Collection 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Buy this book to read Ed Brubaker and Doug mahnke excellent redux of the Joker's first encounter with batman. In a shocking turn, DC hires a great artist to do a high profile Batman tale. I only fault this story on being too short.
The Man Who Laughs was orignally published as a 48 page soft cover graphic novel, but deserves the hardcover format. Sadly, the cover graphics are not very well done. The white spine with the ugly blue at the bottom doesn't look good on the book shelf, particularly next to it's natural companion, the recently released Killing Joke hardcover.
As a filler, a Batman/Golden Age Green Lantern story is also randomely reprinted here. This story originally appeared in Detective Comics which Mr. Brubaker wrote for a little over a year. I remember his run as well written (as most of his work is), but laden with poor fill-in art unworthy of his scripts. The artwork by Mike Lilly is just OK, but I fail to see why it was included in this hardcover.
It would have been much better to reprint the Joker's first two appearances from Batman #1, as well as Dennis O'Neal's Legends of the Dark Knight #50, from 1993, which retold the same story of Batman's first encounter with the Joker. Dennis O'Neal wrote a spot on story with some great moments, but the particularly bad art from Brett Blevins is not something which should be seen again. At least the theme of the book would have been consistant.

Editorial Review:

Witness Batman's historic first encounters with his deadliest foe, The Joker, in this hardcover volume featuring two tales written by Ed Brubaker (GOTHAM CENTRAL, Captain America), winner of 2007 Eisner Award for Best Writer.

A mysterious homicidal maniac is murdering prominent citizens of Gotham City, each time leaving a ghastly grin on the victims' lifeless faces. Batman soon tracks down the killer: The Joker!

This volume gives readers new insight into the early encounters between Batman and The Joker that led the Clown Prince of Crime down the path to insanity. Guest-starring original Green Lantern Alan Scott.