X-Men: Asgardian Wars

Recent posts of some of the artwork done in this collection from Arthur Adams is what persuaded me after all this time to dig it out and finally read it. This trade paperback collects X-Men and Alpha Flight #1-2, New Mutants Special Edition and X-Men Annual #9. The Norse god of mischief, Loki is the villain behind all of these stories. 

In X-Men and Alpha Flight, Loki offers both teams of mutants the chance of a lifetime- to finally be human. Of course, both teams don't realize that it's Loki who's working behind the curtains. So at first, most of the heroes are eager at the chance at being normal; especially characters like Cyclops, Puck and Nightcrawler, whose mutant abilities and appearances make any chance at a normal life impossible. Obviously, Wolverine smells a rat and some of the Alpha Flight team don't want to lose what makes them individuals. Thus, when things don't go perfectly, Loki reveals himself and has a massive hissy fit!

New Mutants Special Edition starts off with the newest generation of gifted mutants enjoying a day at the beach. At this point in time, Storm of the X-Men, has lost her powers. Yet, she valiantly leads the New Mutants with bravery and bravado. This very much intrigues Loki who kidnaps Ororo. While under her spell, Loki offers her all the powers of a god, as long as she'll become his betrothed. 

The New Mutants are dispersed all through Asgard and placed in ideal situations in hopes that the youth will enjoy their new surroundings and forget the whole thing about their teacher getting taken. It seems to work at first. But as memories of their past on earth start breaking through, the teens manage to find themselves. But the collective whole of the New Mutants just isn't enough to take on Loki and his newly juiced up bride-to-be Storm!

The New Mutants story continues in the X-Men annual. Somehow the X-Men have been alerted to Loki's plot and still angry over the Norse deity's actions with Alpha Flight, the mutants are looking for payback.

Chris Claremont penned all 3 stories. They're reflections of his skill as a writer as well as his annoying tendency to turn mutant tales into soap opera fodder. Paul Smith and Bob Wiacek were the artists on the X-Men and Alpha Flight. Adams penciled the New Mutants story and the annual. While Smith and Wiacek's art was good, Art Adams work was light years ahead. Let's face it, Adams is a master and if he only had a body of work that equalled Kirby or Ditko, he'd be a serious contender for Mount Rushmore of Artists contention. 

A good collection of stories. Some of your favorite Asgardians guest stars in these pages. But no appearance from everyone's favorite. That's right; Beta Ray Bill is nowhere in sight. Neither is this golden haired impostor named Thor.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #99

 Wolverine has a very bad night's sleep in a single issue story that features Professor X.

Ghost Rider's 2-parter comes to a close. The last issue was set during the holidays. This chapter seems to have forgotten all that. 

That's pretty typical in comics. One issue is set during Christmas. Ends with a cliffhanger. And boom, next issue, all the decorations and holiday cheer are all gone. I wish I could wrap up my holiday set dressings that quickly.

Love seems to be in the air for the other two 8-pagers. Puck, the other diminutive member of Alpha Flight has his sights set on fellow Alpha Flight member, Heather Hudson. Here is Puck feeling all down on himself saying that Hudson can never love him. I'm thinking it's because he's short. It's actually because really he's like 100 years old and is only making himself look young thanks to his mutant abilities.

Then Peter Parker has trouble getting in touch with Mary Jane. This little tale is actually quirky and not a typical Marvel tale full of fisticuffs. It was an enjoyable capper to a very exciting issue.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #51

The newest Wolverine led story has Logan facing his demons from his days in Alpha Flight. His former Omega Flight apprentice Wild Child has resurfaced after years of being believed long dead. Seeking another chance, Wolverine will pull out all stops to save the floundering mutant. 

Iron Man rejects a UN cease and desist order to conduct a one-man rescue mission for a close person friend being held captive by a Communist Asian nation. Though never mentioned by name, the country is either China, North Korea or Vietnam. My money is on China, with North Korea a distant second. Regardless, Marvel refused to name names least they be boycotted! 

And that infuriates me when companies like Marvel will turn a blind eye to the Chinese government's atrocities all for the sake of profits!

Then the French solider of fortune, Le Perigrine is recruited by the US Navy to help free a vessel from terrorists. I'm wonder if Tom Clancy wrote this one because it's got a military cover-up almost as big as the Red October!

A pleasing trio of stories to balance out the really lame Comet Man story. The only thing about this story that impresses me is that Billy Mumy and Miguel Ferrer wrote this story. Most people remember Mumy from Lost in Space. But I did not know that Robocop's Miguel Ferrer wrote comic books! Now I know why he didn't very many comics...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Wolverine: Season One

I've been a big fan of Marvel's Season One books. They were too expensive for me to buy when they were new in 2012-13. But over the past couple of years affordable copies have come on the market at used book stores and Ollie's of all places. 

Logan/Wolverine's origin has been explored to an Nth degree. There's been Wolverine: Origin, his time as in the Weapon X project in Marvel Comics Presents, and numerous looks at the mutants first days with the X-Men. But finally do I learn of Wolverine's ties to Alpha Flight!

I remember an issue of The Marvel Saga briefly mentioned on Wolverine being a member of that Canadian superhero team. But nothing further was ever explored. So I always wondered about that. For the most part, writers Ben Blacker and Ben Acker (Thrilling Adventure Hour) do an exceptional job with that. 

Though one confusion remains. In both that issue of The Marvel Saga and other books, Wolverine is shown leading heroes such as the hairy but diminutive Puck and the hairy but quite large Sasquatch. But neither character is in this book and this book covers all of Wolverine's time with Alpha Flight. So, was there a retcon? Had to be. It's the only explanation.

Speaking of explanations, I loved the why behind Wolverine's costume change from his first appearance in Hulk 180-181 to what you see in Giant-Size X-Men #1. 

Plus, if you love Wolverine's first appearances with the Hulk, you are going to love this book.

Artist Salva Espin (Deadpool) adds a level of sensuality to this book. It appears that Logan finds himself in love triangles with stuffy team leaders and brainy babes with red hair quite often! Plus that painted cover totally rocks!

This origin story wasn't what I was expecting. However, I've got no complaints as this Season One explores areas of Wolverine's life that I had always pondered. There's still some anachronisms floating around. But a large chunk of my questions into Logan's time with Alpha Flight has been answered.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Fanfare #28

I’ve never really been a fan of Alpha Flight. I know Wolverine was once a member and it takes place in Canada. But, aside from those pluses, I’ve just never really liked this distant cousin of the X-Men.

This Fanfare is devoted to an Alpha Flight story that was meant to become a Marvel Graphic Novel but never saw the green light. It focuses on the checkered past of Northstar. However, it’s about his role as a member of a Canadian terrorist cell and not his controversial lifestyle choice- which I think would've made a much more compelling story.

The art is classic Marvel Graphic Novel quality. Lots of watercolors and straight pen-lines. The cast of extras is spanding and it’s a little hard keeping them straight when their names are A, B, C and 1, 2, 3.

Not the worst thing I ever read. But, just not my thing.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.