The Pulse #9

  In the Marvel Universe, if you want answers, there's one person you go to- Wolverine. Even if he doesn't know what you're looking for, he's that x-factor (forgive the pun) that will eliminate all other possibilities. He's the mutant embodiment of Sherlock Holmes' famous theory of deduction in which once you have eliminated the impossible options whatever remains is possible. Once Jessica completes her visit with Logan, journalist Ben Ulrich is able to deduce just where Luke Cage is. 

   Featuring a slew of twists and turns, this issue is a who's who of residents of Marvel Knights (Marvel's grittier imprint starring street fighter characters such as Jessica and Luke Cage.) Perhaps the biggest surprise is the appearance of a character that I didn't think remained in the Marvel Universe since their first appearance in a short-lived series of the same name from the 1970s. 

   I know this issue is almost 10-years old. But there are some major spoilers that really would ruin the mystery that has built up over the past 5 or 6 issues. Fantastic writing job by Bendis with killer Marvel Knights style art by Michael Lark.

   This is my favorite issue in the series, thus far.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Pulse #8

   Jessica Jones, in a bid to find Luke Cage after he was kidnapped from his hospital bed, returns to their apartment in hopes of uncovering clues as to his whereabouts. Assisting her is Ben Ulrich, whose been in constant contact with an informant at SHIELD which is in turmoil following the ousting of Nick Fury as its Director head. The superspy's absence has created a power vacuum of which fringe organizations such as Hydra and AIM are more than happy to fill. Will Jessica turn to one of these groups in order to find the answers she is looking for and more importantly, her boyfriend?

   A great issue that reads like a game of cat and mouse or cloak and dagger. Just about every major espionage organization in the Marvel U is represented here. With SHIELD literally impotent without Nick Fury, the representative at Hydra makes a compelling case for filling in the void. Unfortunately, that means that the world would be made free from democracy under the watchful eye of a fascist organization.

   It's scary stuff if you stop to think about it. Leave it to the great Brian Michael Bendis to make comics not just entertaining but thought provoking.


    Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.  

The Pulse #7

Awesome Steranko-like cover.

Assisting Jessica Jones with learning who and why Luke Cage was targeted by a mutant suicide bomber, Ben Ulrich learns just how dire things are at SHIELD. Nick Fury is no longer in charge. Plus, it looks very likely that Congress will enact legislation forcing those with super powers to register with the American government. Also, another suicide bomber attacks the hospital in which Power Man has been treated and if that wasn't bad enough: during the ensuing chaos, somebody has kidnapped Luke Cage from his hospital room.

    A thrilling issue of the Pulse that continues to tie in the Secret War storyline. I had said that having a little bit of back story might help me to better enjoy these tie-in issues and I was right. Not only that, but you really can see the seeds of the Marvel Civil War storyline being sown in this issue. 

    Though Civil War is a couple of years away from when this issue occurs, the hints of a superhero registration act are starting to appear. Plus, with Nick Fury in hiding, the events in this chapter will have ramifications for Marvel's Secret Invasion and Dark Reign story arcs as well. 

    The writing by Bendis is high quality. I just love the mystery he's woven. But now as the plot deepens and Luke Cage goes missing, I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to know what happens more than ever before.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Pulse #5

 

    In the pages of New Avengers, Norman Osborn becomes quite the thorn in the team's side, particularly with Luke Cage and Jessica Jones. This issue is the birth of that feud. 

  If you've wanted to see Osborn get what's coming to him, this (and issue 4) are the issues you've been demanding. Of, course, being like the 3rd richest person in New York means that it won't be easy for the good guys to bring Osborn finally to justice as he'll hide behind lawyers, lackeys, and even his Green Goblin persona to save his slimy hide.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Pulse #4

 

  With evidence mounting, Ben Ulrich gets not only the blessing of the Daily Bugle to go after Terri Kidder's murderer- he's also got Spider-man watching his back too! 

   A great chapter is which one of the biggest baddies (and biggest jerks) in the Marvel Universe finally gets what's coming to him. 

   This story is over 10-years old, but it's got a major spoiler that if you haven't read this by now, you must be really new to comics. I'm not even going to reveal the cover to this issue as what happens here is something that truly devoted fans of Spidey and the Marvel Universe had waited for since the early 60s. 

   I really am enjoying this series. Bendis has done a fantastic job. I'm just a little confused about one thing. The first issue seemed to imply that Jessica Jones was going to be the star of this series. But she's been grossly underused since that premiere issue. In fact, this has been more of the Ben Ulrich show than just about anyone else. Well, the star of this series is really the Daily Bugle. It's got a great ensemble cast feel to it like the TV shows Cheers or ER.

   But why add Jessica Jones to the mix, along with boyfriend and baby-daddy Luke Cage, if their role is nothing more than background scenery? It just doesn't make sense. Maybe Bendis just didn't find a connection between those two characters. But it really isn't like him to just avoid certain characters especially since just about every superhero and villain ever created by Marvel is used by Bendis is some form in the Ultimate comics universe. Maybe the master has something up his sleeve for a later issue in this awesome series...

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars. 

The Pulse #1

  With sales lagging due to the internet and 24-hour news, the Daily Bugle must do something fast or face shutting down. Since stories about superheroes sell papers, The Bugle looks to increase coverage. But readers don't like publisher J. Jonah Jameson's rants against them. So, the editor Robbie Robertson has decided to run a weekly insert devoted to positive stories focusing on the superhero community called the Pulse

    Along with veteran reporter Ben Ulrich, Jameson and Robertson have hired former superhero cum private investigator Jessica Jones as a consultant thanks to her numerous superhero contacts and experience. This sort of thing normally isn't Jones' sort of thing but her client base is near zip and she just found out that she's pregnant with Luke 'Power Man' Cage's baby. And she gonna need the health insurance badly...

     A very good but interesting premiere issue. It's not heavy on action. In fact, except for a couple of flashback panels, there are no superhero vs. supervillain melees here. But if you like a comic that's heavy on plot while focusing on those with amazing abilities, then this is the Marvel comic you've been looking for. Plus, the final page cliffhanger sets you up for a great mystery to be solved in the next issue.

   Marvel writer extraordinaire Brian Michael has done in again with the Pulse and the almost 2 years to collect the entire series (before reading it) was worth the wait. Assisting Mr. Bendis is the awesome Mark Bagley, whose art is just superb and a brilliantly painted style cover by Mike Mayhew.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.