Sunday, September 25, 2022

Marvel Comics Presents #168

The Revengers: a cult-like gang that dresses as the spirit of vengeance, Vengeance. They've spread throughout the Big Apple like a virus, issuing their own warped sense of justice not just on criminals but their victims as well.

These guys kinda remind me of those vigilante followers of Batman in 2008's The Dark Knight. I wonder if this Vengeance story was in some way an inspiration for those guys to director Christopher Nolan. Regardless if that was the case or not, I'm liking the Revengers inclusion in this Vengeance heavy story that also stars War Machine!

The Julia Carpenter Spider-Woman story comes to a close in this issue and I'm very glad. The plot of a deranged paramour threatening to shoot up the school in which Julia's daughter attends should Spider-Woman reject him is just something that hits way too close to home. Just to clarify, the part about a school shooting is what triggers me. Not the part about having a stalker.

There are 2 one-shot stories that complete this issue's line-up. The Inhuman Blackbolt must choose between the safety of his people or whether to take the life of a group of humans that threaten to disrupt the relative anonymity of the Great Refuge. 

The other 8-pager stars the Asgardian Valkyrie, Brunnhilde. For some reason, Valkyrie has gone the Dr. Bruce Banner route and is wandering around the world. Well it's a good thing she is as the Asgardian warrior stumbles upon a Chinese village being held captive by a despot wielding a set of mystic gems that control the very elements of the earth!

I really didn't feel much of a connection to the 2 short stories. The Inhumans tale was wonderfully illustrated by Jeff Moore (Avengers). But it seemed like a plot that could have been solved much more differently and with much less stress. I honestly don't remember anything about Valkyrie's story. I had to look it up just to do this review. 

The Vengeance story is great. I feel like War Machine's presence is really uncalled for. But the love triangle and terse working environment between Badilino, Sam Buchanan and Rebecca Taylor is worth the price I paid for this issue. 

And yes, I am thankful that the Spider-Woman story came to an end. However, I feel like Marvel should have framed this more as a Force Works story than a Spider-Woman story. It's like the opposite of the New Warriors story that only starred one member of the team. What the heck was going on with the editing team during this stage of MCP's run?

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

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