Marvel Comics Presents #87

Wolverine continues to be ultra-freaked out by the blast from his past, Cyber. I love it!

The Firestar story comes to an explosive end. I enjoyed it!

The Beast story is getting really good. The Daredevil anti-hero, Constrictor and the Fantastic Four villain, The Red Ghost and his trio of super-apes, are added players to this tale of espionage and heart-rending romance. 

Finally, there's a single issue story starring The Shroud. His appearances in Spider-Woman or She-Hulk or maybe both, I didn't like them. I think I felt that he was a poorly crafted clone of Daredevil; what with him being a blind superhero. But this character's appearances in MCP have really impressed me. And again, this story that delves more into The Shroud's origin and explains more of his plan to act like a gang leader but really be a front for being a crime fighter made me a little more interested in the character.

And don't think that The Shroud is a poorly crafted clone of Green Hornet. As his gang has some heavy hitters like the Werewolf by Night and the West Coast Avenger, Mockingbird, Green Hornet isn't even in the league of the Shroud.

Another perfect issue. Two in a row. I'm getting a little spoiled.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #85

A new Wolverine story begins in this issue. Big surprise there. Actually, I have mixed feelings about this. And the negative I have isn't really about Wolverine. It's about the cover artist.

For roughly 85 issues, there was a different cover artist. That all changes here as Sam Keith becomes the permanent cover artist. I am a fan of Keith due to his creation The Maxx. Both the comic book and the animated series that appeared as part of the MTV series Oddities. (I'll admit; before researching just a few moments ago, I thought The Maxx was on Liquid Television. Oops!) Anyways. So I like Sam Keith. But I am not digging his take on Wolverine. 

Okay. Let me retract slightly. This cover and the next couple are decent. But as I've been looking ahead on what's to come, there are some real stinkers. I'll be pointing them out as we come to them.

Now what I am liking about this new Wolverine tale is the story itself. Wolverine is back in Madripoor. That's a plus for me. He's in a relationship with Tyger Tiger. Another plus. And penciler Sam Keith is making her look really alluring. Another plus. But the thing that I am liking about this story is the antagonist, a mutant called Cyber.

This is Cyber's first ever appearance. But in the story, he's got a history with Wolverine. Right now, it's not revealed. But apparently, just the mention of his name is enough to make Wolverine put his tail between his legs and fall into a cold sweat.

Finally, after years of being this little wise-ass who can't be beat, there's someone who makes Wolverine feel like a defenseless child. Yes. I know we just sat through 12 chapters+ of a Weapon X story that saw Logan suffer terrible torture under the guise of laboratory experiments. But deep down, Logan was still fighting his oppressors, even if most of it was subconscious. Here, Wolverine is rattled deep to his core. And I love it!

Meanwhile, the Firestar story continues with nothing really new happening. A new multi-parter starring X-Man, the Beast, attending a symposium in Europe and facing a deep, dark secret from his past. Finally, Scott Lobdell and Ron Wilson craft a fun Speedball story. Once again, my interest in the New Mutant character is whetted by the talent of MCP. I may have to find some back issues or a trade because I am really enjoying these stories.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #84

The Weapon X origin story comes to an end with this issue. I just don't understand why this story is so beloved. It's got to be just the association with Wolverine. He remains to this day a popular character.

Don't get me wrong. The story is one of those guilty pleasure type things because of the level of death and destruction. But all that gore takes place in a VR simulation. I can't quite put on how this story got approved by the Comics Code Authority. It had to be the use of a simulation to get this thing by the censors.

There's only 1 other segment in this issue. Part 3 of the Firestar story has the mutant risking her personal freedom to safe her father. On one side is the White Queen, Emma Frost. On the other, Freedom Force. One looks to enslave Firestar as part of their evil cadre. The other is under orders from the American government to bring the teen hero in by any means necessary.

3 chapters of the Weapon X story. 1 chapter about Firestar. I'm glad that MCP doesn't deviate too often from the 4 8-page segment formula. It just doesn't work when Marvel strays from this and this issue is proof of that.

Sorry, Barry Windsor-Smith. I'm just not a fan.

Not Worth Consuming!

Rating: 3 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #83

Fire seems to be the theme in this issue. 

First off, you've got the cover in which the Weapon X project attempts to destroy Weapon X with a napalm-like chemical. Jump to chapter 11 of the Weapon X origin story and it appears that Logan's ashes can regenerate just as well as a bloodied corpse could.

Then chapter 2 of the Firestar story continues with Angelica Jones risking her personal freedom to save the life of her dad.

There's an 8-pager starring Johnny Storm. His opponent is an all new character called Moth who has the ability to absorb flame. Let's just say that the story was explosive with a somewhat sad ending...

Only the one-and-done starring Hawkeye is the only story in this issue that appears to be fireproof. So, yeah with 3 out of 4 stories utilizing fire, I would have to say that this is indeed a fire themed issue of Marvel Comics Presents and the results for this whole issue was en fuego!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #82

A multi-parter featuring Firestar (Angelica Jones) begins in this issue. I remember the heroine as the fire half of Peter Parker's Fire and Ice powered allies from NBC's Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. I knew that when the cartoon debuted in 1981, Firestar was created specially for the show. Apparently Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, wasn't available due to licensing rights. Plus, NBC wanted to add a female hero to appeal to girl viewers. What I did not know was that Firestar ever debuted in comics later on.

The character's comic book debut was in a 1985 issue of The Uncanny X-Men. Later on, Firestar got the miniseries treatment. But this issue was my first print encounter with a character I've known since I was in Pre-K. And to experience this was so cool!

In this opening chapter, Angelica Jones is laying low as her father is terrified for her safety. He's convinced that should the US government uncover her whereabouts, Angelica will be submitted to harsh medical testing as Firestar is a mutant! 

Honestly, I didn't know this! I just figured Firestar was bitten by a radioactive bonfire. Okay. Not really. But you could have knocked me over with a feather when it was revealed that this character has the X gene.

Also appearing in this story is the Freedom Force. The Marvel Comics version of the Suicide Squad; this is a clandestine team of mutants lead by Mystique with the promise of pardon upon successful completion of their government sponsored missions. 

It appears that Papa Jones was right. Angelica uses her powers against dad's wishes and this sends Freedom Force after her. But also on Firestar's trail is the White Queen, Emma Frost, who wishes to turn Firestar into a disciple of evil. If only she had listened to daddy...

A good chapter with a great reminder from my youth. The Weapon X story continues to be gory. But I also know that it's all part of a VR simulation. Iron Man and Luke Cage also appear in this book. I read these stories a while back- I'm catching up on a lot of reviews- and I just can't recall either. So, if you balance things out, this just isn't a great overall issue despite a very solid opening chapter starring Firestar and some dastardly mutants.

Not Worth Consuming!

Rating: 3 out of 10 stars.