Iron Man: Armor Wars Prologue

Bob Layton co-plotted and provided pencils and inks for the 10 issues inside this trade paperback. With that bit of information, I want to go on a slightly off topic tangent. I think it's creepy that as soon as I started reading this book 5 days ago, I began getting inundated with suggestions to make Bob Layton a friend on Facebook. I also got a multitude of posts from others praising his artwork. I started receiving ads from eBay suggesting artwork by Layton as well as other Iron Man back issues. 

Here's the thing, I hadn't put anything on my social media about my reading 'Armor Wars Prologue.' I hadn't taken any pictures, texted, nor sent an email to anybody about this book. I hadn't even mentioned reading it out loud to my wife. I bought this book years ago, and forgot all about it. So how did the Internet know that I was finally reading this book? I'm telling you, this 'coincidence' sure is spooky.

Okay - now about the book...

Tony Stark has pulled himself out of the ashes. Newly sober, Stark is again making a name for himself. Obadiah Stane may have taken Stark Industries away from Tony; but thanks to a lengthy court battle, the billionaire playboy regained his wealth and has started up a new company: Stark Enterprises. Only it's not a smooth transition for Tony.

His new orbiting space station has been rendered unusable by AIM. A beloved member of his inner circle has betrayed him. Rhodey's new helicopter was in reality a malfunctioning transformer that nearly destroyed his company. Now there's a literal ghost in the Stark machine that could cause Stark Enterprises to declare bankruptcy should Tony's new clean energy turbine go bust! Thrown in a handful of B-list villains, the evil industrialist Justin Hammer and the massive headache of California rush hour traffic, it's no wonder that Iron Man will declare war on anyone who steals his technology and there's been a long list of foes who've taken something from Tony Stark and his armored bodyguard.

You know you're getting old when disaster upon disaster faces a beloved protagonist and all you can think of is 'How much did that cost?' For decades, it has seemed that Tony Stark has had a near unlimited bank account. It's actually a little satisfying to actually find the businessman running low on funds. No, I don't secretly want Tony Stark to go broke. But I can't tell you how many issues of The Avengers and Iron Man that I have read where it seemed like Tony had carte blanche to repair any and all damage brought about by his destructive adventures as Iron Man. I just found it a little more relatable having Tony Stark sweating bullets because all of his economic stability rests on a really tricky financial gamble.

I just shelled out a fortune for a new car. Mind you it was used and it seems to be a great car. But I've been on pins and needles, afraid that I purchased a lemon and that's how Tony has been feeling about the new energy tech company he bought with his last line of bank credit. 

I came to this book with the mindset that I was going to sell it afterwards. I also wasn't sure if I wanted to read about the Armor Wars. But after reading, I find that I would be completely open to a complete run of the first Iron Man series of stories and I want to read the follow up to this book. So much for trying to clear some room off my shelf. Writer David Michelinie and Bob Layton did too great of a job to part with this read.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

S.H.I.E.L.D., Vol. 1: Perfect Bullets

I really enjoyed ABC's Agents of SHIELD. Sure, a lot of it has to do with me being a big fan of Nick Fury and the spy elements of the Marvel Universe. Regardless, Agents of SHIELD was a show that got better with age. Ironically, as the series progressed, it strayed further from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That's because it was established that despite Agent Phil Coulson dying at the hands of Loki, everything that happened afterwards followed a slightly different timeline on another universe. So despite what you think about Spider-Man: No Way Home introducing the multiverse to Marvel movie fans, it was Marvel's Agents of SHIELD that did it first.

And before I get into my review of this book, can I just comment on the actor who brought Phil Coulson to life on many occasions? Clark Gregg is just wonderful as the walking Encyclopedia Britannica of superheroes and their adversaries. I may not agree with all of the actor's politics. But I thought he brought such an energy to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the show. I hope he's not truly retired from the role. I'd love to see him interact with Tom Holland's Spider-Man and Cumberbatch 's Sorcerer Supreme.

This series, penned by Mark Waid, was Marvel's attempt to bring the Agents of SHIELD into the Marvel 616 Universe. Waid's been known to make some controversial changes to established DC and Marvel canon. But he did a fantastic job here. 

One of the smartest moves was to essentially have each issue be a team-up with at least one superhero. Coulson, May, Fitz and Simmons conduct missions with the likes of Spidey, Ms. Marvel, The Invisible Woman and many others. The first assignment has Phil Coulson spread extremely thin when creatures from all of the nine realms begin an all out invasion of Midgard. There's literally dozens of comics brightest stars in that story, including Tony Stark who's in his Superior Iron Man stage of life. 

6 different artists pencil an issue in this book. My favorite was Alan Davis' work in the Spider-Man story that takes place in Doctor Stranger's Sanctum Sanctorum. He evoked a mix of Steve Ditko and Steve Englehart's tenures on the good doctor's title. 

The book concludes with an odd little segment of comic strips about Agent Fitz and his new artificial intelligence program H.E.N.R.Y., which takes the holographic form of a green Capuchin monkey. I felt like there were clues or maybe some Easter eggs that were hinting to what will occur in Volume 2. However, if that's the case, I was a really bad detective.

I really enjoyed this volume. Too bad, I don't have the next volume immediately on hand. But I've got trade credit and a hole burning in my pocket. So maybe I'll continue these adventures real soon.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Superior Iron Man, Vol. 1: Infamous

This is an example of how to not judge a book by its cover. I've been sitting on this book for probably 5 years now. It came in a Comic Book Bento Box as a gift from my bride. (Remember CBBB? They're were a graphic novel grab bag subscription service that was so fun to get in the mail each month. Now defunct. Long may it rest...) I had just finished a volume of Iron Man where Tony's brother Arno Stark was set to take on the mantle of Iron Man, when I received this book. I wasn't all that thrilled with Arno and thinking this book was chronicling his adventures, I waited to read it.

I couldn't have been more wrong in my assessment.

Superior Iron Man, Volume 1 takes place immediately after the events of AXIS. For those of you not familiar with Marvel's 2014's crossover event, AXIS was the Freaky Friday storyline where good guys became villains and villains became heroes due to the meddling of the Red Skull. When everybody went back to their normal selves, something went wrong with Tony Stark, screwing up his moral compass. 

So imagine what the billionaire playboy would have become if he never got injured from a land mine and had his life saved by Professor Yinsen. What we have at the beginning of Superior Iron Man is a hedonistic, unrepentant alcoholic Tony Stark intent on imposing his own personal Utopia upon the world. To change the world in his own image, Tony has set up base in San Francisco. He just released his latest version of Extremis as an app which turns users into Kardashian-like versions of themselves. There's a hitch to this however. Tony offered Extremis 3.0 as a trial. Now reverted back to their imperfect selves, the citizens of San Francisco must pay an exorbitant fee daily to feed their addiction to perfection.

I really loved this book. I devoured it in about an hour. Add Daredevil, She-Hulk, Pepper Potts and an all-new villain to the mix and I was hooked. Amoral Tony Stark. It's a brilliant experiment that left me reeling because I don't have volume 2!

I'm going to rate this book with a perfect score. However there was a continuity error that just stuck in my crawl. Towards the beginning of the book, Stark hosts this big event for Extremis 3.0 on Castro Street. However an issue later, Matt Murdock, fully into his internal dialogue says that the event happened on Canton Street. Just so you know, I researched and there isn't a Canton Street in the City by the Bay.

Castro Street in San Francisco is a historic area known for Harvey Milk and the fight for gay rights. Could writer Tom Taylor have received some flak from fans for setting that scene at such an iconic locale, that Marvel had to retcon things? If so, why didn't they change the name of the scene for this trade? I can see where having Tony Stark offer the people of San Francisco a way to change themselves into what they've always dreamed of being set on Castro Street as being perceived insensitive to the struggle of the LGBT+ community. I'm just flummoxed over the nit and I want to know more about the mistake.

The artwork by Yildiray Cinar and Laura Braga was amazing. One of the best sets of Iron Man armor ever!

Be on the lookout for the Full House Easter egg tribute! So clever!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Avengers, Vol. 1: World Trust

Washington D.C. has disappeared. So has dozens of other world capitals, which appear to have disappeared off the face of the earth. The planet is in crisis. The United Nations is operating under a skeleton crew. Once again, Earth's mightiest heroes are called upon to save the day. Only this time, the Avengers aren't defending us from a colossal menace like Kang or Galactus. Instead, they're acting as the de facto leaders of the world under special commission from the UN.

The first half of this book sees very little action. What we get from Geoff Johns is a political Armageddon story on par with Tom Clancy. Seeing Captain America acting as motivational leader of the world with She-Hulk as his political law adviser and Iron Man acting as the head of the World Bank was a welcome change from super hero stories full of fisticuffs and violence. There's a ton of political intrigue as many of the Avengers have trouble trusting the intentions of both T'Challa and the Sub-Mariner, both world leaders, who have joined the team recently. Nobody trusts Henry Peter Gyrich, the Avengers former liaison who oversaw a dramatic retooling of the superhero team in the 1980s. But, Gyrich is about the only government man from D.C. left on the planet and he knows how to play the political game.

I was disappointed when the story shifted over to the menace behind the chaos. On one hand, I like the villain and his reasons for his treachery kinda ties in nicely with the baddie's M.O.. But there was a component of a new player who is more on par with Doctor Strange matching wits with, as opposed to the Avengers. Okay- I admit it! Scarlet Witch and her chaotic hex powers does make her a perfect protagonist to take on one half of the extinction level foes unleashed by the story's main villain. I just hated to see this amazing story devolve back into typical comic book theatrics.

World Trust was another example of why I like the Avengers. They've never really disappointed me. I think one reason they work so well is because of how much they distrust each other.

Great additions of Jack of Hearts and the Scott Lang Ant-Man to this story. They added a distrustful tension to the story which each other really hating the other guy's guts. Plus, both have such tragic story lines going on at this point, that their inclusion in this adventures added a ton of heart. 

Definitely a keeper in my Avengers collection of reads. I just wish there was more crisis-level drama than over-the-top superheroing in this grouping of issue.

Oh, and the back-up story was awesome. If you ever wondered what the Avengers would look and act like if they existed in the Simpsons universe, here's your chance. Simpsons Comics' Bill Morrison crafts a wacky tale in which Loki seeks to regain the title of God of Mischief by playing a bunch of sophomoric pranks on the Avengers. It's another fun tale that was so unusual and extremely refreshing to read that I want to see more of!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

What If? Dark Avengers

I really think What If?, the alternate reality series from Marvel Comics, works better the more you're familiar with the subject content. There are 6 issues reprinted in this collection. Of those 6, the stories I liked the most was a switcheroo in which Tony Stark becomes the roommate of the dreaded Victor Von Doom instead of Reed Richards and a bloody romp in which Deadpool becomes the host of the symbiote Venom. Stories involving Spider-Man succumbing to some weird spider curse and Norman Osborn's reign of terror that comes about with the leader of SWORD conquering Asgard were my least favorite stories because I haven't read Grim Hunt or Reign. (Okay- who am I kidding, the Spider-Man: Grim Hunt one-shot was hot garbage.)

The remaining 2 stories were fair reads. Mostly because I am quite familiar with the characters and have a passing knowledge of the original stories. Wolverine: Father explores what would happen if Logan raised his illegitimate son Daken. This wasn't a story based on an established story. Instead, this truly was a What If? story that explores the conflict of nature vs. nurture. Tale #6 has Hawkeye succeeding in killing Norman Osborn preventing the madman from taking over the super-spy agency SHIELD and preventing the Dark Reign of super heroes from happening. This story was a thrilling manhunt as the superheroing world has to undo the damage Clint Barton caused and that means having to take down one of their own!

I want to own all of the What If? stories. But cost is something that is keeping me from owning some of those stories as individual first run issues. Thank goodness for collections such as these. That Deadpool/Venom issue is not cheap. I think the most affordable copies I have seen are being listed for $200 each. I got this traced paperback used for less than $10. I'll take affordability over authenticity any day!

This volume reprints what is considered the 200th overall What If issue printed over the Marvel properties vast print runs since it first debuted in 1977. That anniversary issue has a bunch of cool extras like a story that ponders what if the Watcher killed Galactus?, a reprint of a Daredevil story from the first series and overview of all 200 issues published from 1977-2011 (when this collection was first print). That database was actually a big help with some missing gaps in my collection.

I would assume that the quality of 5 of the 6 stories was really good. I just wasn't familiar with everything in order to get the most enjoyment of this read. That's okay. I saved a ton of cash on that Deadpool story. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #132

A new multi-parter starring Wolverine begins in this issue and I'm really excited about it for once. That's because Cyber, the one villain that actually scares the crap outta Logan, has returned! The X-Man is vacationing on an island paradise where he comes across a beautiful native being pursued by a blood cult! Not one to see a girl in distress, Wolvie attempts to play Superman and ends up in dank pit with his worst enemy- Cyber!

I really can't figure out the Ghost Rider/Cage team-up. On the surface, it's a crime noir mystery with Luke Cage trying to find the madman who killed an ex-flame of his. As we dig deeper into the onion, we find that Ghost Rider is trying to stop the demonic entity that is behind the motives of the serial killer. A being powered not by hate but love!

In the single issue story, Iron Man takes on an armored villain. Big surprise there...

Lastly, that horrible Iron Fist Vs. Hydra story comes to a close. This was an adventure that had a lot of promise. Yet poor use of back-up characters and really implausible plotting of Danny Rand made this an absolutely awful story that I couldn't wait for to end! Most people lament not wanting a story to end. How many people actually want something they read to conclude?

The Wolverine story has a lot of promise. The Ghost Rider/Cage story is interesting but also something I can't quite figure out. The Iron Man story was cliched. And finally, I can put to rest that Iron Fist tale. I'm going to rate this book a tad higher than I normally would if just for the mercy killing of that clunker of a kung-fu yarn.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Avengers Spotlight #29

The 'Acts of Vengeance' have come to a close. In the aftermath, Hawkeye is tasked to rescue the madcap anti-hero Madcap from a group of thugs seeking payback with Daredevil. Meanwhile, back at the Vault, as the prisoners start piling in, Iron Man completes the training of the security force with some new Stark powered armor and tech.

It's interesting seeing Madcap before he became a thorn in the side of Deadpool. Compared to how the character is now, this 30 year old plus version is way less powerful and nowhere near as nutty.

I loved how the story about the Vault takes the Acts of Vengeance full circle. Dwayne McDuffie started that huge story line in the humble pages of this Avengers spin-off. And the first issue was almost 100% contained within the walls of this super villain prison. And I loved how the story closed. True, the ending was very similar to stories of police violence that we're seeing way too much these days. But I think only McDuffie could pull it off. 

Dwayne McDuffie was a black man and so his views on how the police operate is a completely different view from mine. The ending to this story is one that we the reader roots for as it's a good guy getting revenge on a baddie. But, when you think more about this, you realize that a prison guard getting their own personal form of justice and blaming the injury of the prisoner of being clumsy, is still an action of injustice. No matter how much the villain might deserve what he's got coming to him. 

A great issue with a poignant layer hidden deep under the superheroing and zany antics.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars. 

Marvel Comics Presents #79

In the Crimes Against Comics Dept., the Howling Commandos/Dracula team-up comes to a close. After a mere 3 tiny 8-page segments!

A very bloody World War II story that goes to show that Vlad Dracul will overlook personal blood lust when it involves Nazis rampaging his beloved Romanian haunts.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #58

The mystery behind the alternate Wolverine is finally revealed. It's a satisfying reveal and it's a blast from the past!

The Werewolf by Night story is getting even more crazier by the minute. We've got an immoral clan of lycantropes with a thing for hedonism on one side. Then we've got a religious nut who thinks all werewolves are instruments of Satan. Poor Jack Russel is caught in the middle with 2 targets on his back. 

I really love the Namor story. The banter between him and Sandra Rains, the director of the underwater documentary crew, is epic. It ranks up there with Sam & Diane, Maddie & David, Kate Hepburn & Cary Grant. Yes- I am implying that there's a little sexual tension here.

The Iron Man one-shot tale is the weakest of the bunch. It's yet another story of somebody stealing Tony Stark's tech. I'm getting kinda tired of that old tale. It's not like other characters in comicdom don't have the same repeated plot. But when it comes to Batman and the Joker, Captain America and the Red Skull, The Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, there's a thread of originality running through. Not when it comes to somebody trying to become an armored warrior by robbing Tony Stark. The only thing that changes is the serial number of the suit being targeted.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 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.

Marvel Comics Presents #43

 Another very good issue. 

We start learning more about the origin of the Black/White entity that is terrorizing Hong Kong. Tragic backstory about a poor mutant that becomes lab rat fodder. If they had started with this in the story, I probably would've been a fan of this entire story. At least this story has been improving over the past couple of issues.

Iron Man makes 2 appearances. He's still working with members of the Avengers to free Wonder Man from the enchantments of the Enchantress. Then in a single issue story, Tony Stark must dive into his company's newest AI when a baddie long thought dead imparts himself as part of the tech.

The last story was my favorite. It too was a single issue story; starring the daughter of X-Man Banshee. Theresa Cassidy is on Muir Island home alone when a group of mutant villains storm the house looking for poppa. Called the Kinsmen, these antagonists don't seem to realize that the child of a mutant might too have special powers. Using not just her inherited vocal mutant powers, but some ingenuity and martial arts training, Siryn plays the role of Kevin McAllister in this mighty Marvel take on Home Alone.

4 solid chapters. I think 8 pages was enough for the Iron Man story. But I would have liked Siryn's story to maybe have been a two-parter. It was very funny. I think doing 3 segments (or more) wouldn't have worked. But I think you could have done one cliffhanger with a Home Alone type booby-trap saving the day at the beginning of part 2. A missed opportunity but still a very good issue of MCP.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #41

The one-and-done story involves a corner of the Marvel mutant universe that I wasn't aware of: Freedom Force. Mystique along with several members of Magneto's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants agree to work deadly missions for the government in exchange for pardons of their past sins. 

I'm assuming this was the House of Ideas' answer to DC's Suicide Squad. Still, I liked it. 

When a Senator is kidnapped by another group of rogue mutant baddies, Freedom Force is called to the rescue. But will these reformed villains carry through with the extraction when they discover their mission is to save the strongly anti-mutant Sen. Robert Kelly?!

The Hercules story wraps up. It took the final chapter to get good as there is an assassination attempt on the life of both Herc and his progeny. 

Wonder Man's story continues to amuse. Hank McCoy, the Beast, is out of action (and in traction) thanks to the events of the last issue. So stepping up to stop the Avenger actor on a rampage next is Iron Man himself- Tony Stark.

Still can't really get into the Wolverine story. He's hanging around a group of Hong Kong pirates that are on the hunt for an entity that is killing indiscriminately. It's some kind of negative and positively charged being. Only it operates at the same time. The action is good. I'm lost with the backstory plot. 

A better offering after a couple of previous issue duds. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #8

The Shang-Chi story comics to a merciful end in this issue. Of course, it finally gets good right when everything ends. I truly think that if this story was set in the 1970s, when kung-fu ruled instead of the karate 80s, this would have been a much better story. But what do I know? I've only been reading comic books since I was 3...

The Man-Thing story still continues to be the best story of the 4 features. But it did have some competition with the Master of Kung-Fu conclusion.

I really don't feel very much connection to the Wolverine tale. At least when it comes to the hero. The sexy villainess, Sapphire Styx, is alluring but deadly. The mercenary Razorfist is pretty cool looking. But a bad guy who has his hands replaced with retractable swords makes very little sense. I mean, when it comes to the bathroom how does he wipe? How does he get his pants back up? How does he aim without becoming a soprano? 

Truly, the mind boggles at these mysteries.

The one-and-done story stars Iron Man. It's written by one of my favorite writers, Sholly Fisch (Scooby-Doo Team-Up). While it involves Tony Stark's battle with the bottle, it's got that nostalgic positive slant that is prevalent in all of Fisch's stories. 

Overall, this was an enjoyable chapter in the early days of this anthology series. The past couple of issues had been duds, as the stories had been 80s era downers. Great to see things perk up a bit.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Avengers: Season One

The purpose behind Marvel’s Season One was to update the origins of many of the publisher’s most popular super heroes in order to A) help appeal to a newer audience and B) put the origins more in line with the various film properties of the Marvel Universe.

But with Avengers: Season One, you don’t get a reboot of their origin. What you do get is an awesome “lost tale” of the early days of Earth’s mightiest heroes. Angered by his exile at the hands of the Avengers, Loki works his magic pitting Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America in myriad of suspicious happenings while the trio hunts for the Hulk.

Peter David is such a brilliant writer and he works his magic with the awesome tale. There’s also a preview of Avengers Assemble. I loved what I read and hated that the preview ended as quick as it did.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Avengers: Endgame

Endgame is in my opinion, the second most anticipated film of 2019. With nearly 40 years of wait for the ninth Star Wars film, I think 'Rise of Skywalker' beats the Avengers if only for the length of wait time. All that being said, with the number of people wanting to see this film and how 10 years and 21 Marvel movies comes to a close; I'm going to have to do my review a lot differently. 

ABSOLUTELY NO SPOILERS!

If you have been following the speculation behind Endgame, some fans hit the plot right on the head. While this is the story of how the Avengers fight back against Thanos and seek a way to reverse the universal-wide mass murder; above all Endgame is a 3-hour thank you to the millions of fans. 

There are literal tons of Easter eggs in this movie. While not every character that ever appeared in a Marvel film is in this movie, there's quite a few cameos. I'm not going to list who's who. Instead, let's focus on the Jar Jar Binks of the Marvel Universe: Carol Danvers.

Brie Larson's portrayal of Captain Marvel and the very silly way usually gruff Nick Fury comes across was a big put off for some fans. Well, if you are not wanting to see Endgame because you think it's going to be a giant love fest to the modern feminist icon, you can sleep well at night. Danvers is barely in this movie. She's so underused here that it's a bit of a head-scratcher as to why invite her to the party at all.

If you are a fan of the original 6- Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow and the Hulk, then this is the film you've been waiting for. They all play a major role here. Plus you've got the added elements of Ant-Man, Rocket, Nebula and War Monger and this makes for the ultimate superhero flick!

Endgame is 3 hours long. And yet not a single minute was wasted. The first 2/3 of the film is filled with exciting twists and turns. And then you've got that third and final act. Wow. Just, wow. And the finale for one of my all-time favorite characters- it was perfect!

This feels like a vague review. But with almost a billion dollars in ticket sales and more to follow, I don't want to risk any sort of plot slip. This was the perfect Marvel film. So perfect that I am going to give Endgame a rating that I hardly ever give-

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 11 out of 10 stars!

Marvel Action: Avengers #1 (Family Comic Friday)

Welcome to the very last Family Comic Friday of 2018! We’re going to wrap up the year with a title that has been long awaited for many months and it’s sure to make some of you dear readers heads spin. It’s Marvel Action: Avengers #1 by IDW Publishing!

Marvel Action:  Avengers #1
Written by Matthew K. Manning
Art by Jon Sommariva
Colors by PROTOBUNKER
Published by IDW Publishing

Now, I am sure many of you are wondering: ‘Why is IDW Publishing doing an Avengers series?’ That’s a very good question. There’s the official answer and there’s the answer that many fans are speculating about and feel that Disney doesn’t have the courage to confirm. Officially, Marvel is out-letting a series of all-ages Marvel titles as the publisher is mega-swamped with it’s vast line of teen, teen plus and mature titles. But from fan reports on social media, many believe the reason why Dark Horse and IDW are receiving the rights to do all-ages Marvel, Star Wars and Disney Comics is because the House of Mouse is really unhappy with the quality of comic book being put out by the House of Ideas at the moment.

I like to think that it’s a little of both. Marvel Comics has countless books being produced every month. Plus, 2018 was not a great year for Marvel with a number of titles being cancelled due to poor sales. Also, Disney has a strict code for how they want their family friendly properties to be crafted. Reportedly, Marvel has refused to adopt these standards in many of their all-ages books. As a result, 2017's controversial firing of EIC Axel Alonso, and the equally controversial hiring of C.B. Cebulski have not helped matters much either.

Marvel Comics is really hoping for a great 2019. There’s plans to retool the history of the entire Marvel Universe. Plus, thanks to the upcoming slate of Marvel films and Star Wars IX, the publisher has extensive plans to release a tidal wave of new comics based on heroes and villains such as Captain Marvel and Kylo Ren. Thus outsourcing some material to other publishers should help Marvel refocus and hopefully, re-invigorate, their flagship titles which have seen better days.

Marvel Adventures: Avengers #1 was proof that the all-ages look at the Marvel Universe is in good hands. The story by Matthew K. Manning (Batman/ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures) was very well crafted. Agents of A.I.M. seek a way to steal Tony Stark’s Iron Man armor while Captain America leads a team against Madame Masque and her henchmen.

But it was the banter between characters that really won me over. Tony Stark sounded so much like Disney XD’s Avengers voice actor Adrian Pasdar. Then there was the over-exuberance of Thor and how he delights in combat.

The only thing missing was Hulk egging the Norse god on. Speaking of which, where is Greenie anyways? He was on the cover and several variants! But he’s noticeably absent here! Maybe Hulk will pop up in issue #2.

The artwork of Jon Sommariva (Star Wars Adventures) was also very good. Each Avenger has his own individual look and style. Okay, those eyes are goofy looking. But those action scenes are so fluid. There’s no cookie-cutter artwork in this book; that is for sure!

I mentioned earlier issue #2. That’s what you are going to have to pick up to find out what happens next as issue #1 ends in a cliffhanger. That aspect right there is pretty much the only thing IDW did wrong with this all-ages title. I’ve said it again and again- if publishers want the next generation of comic book readers, they have got to stop doing multi-part story arcs.

Young readers don’t always have the chance to go to the comic book store every week, much less a regular monthly basis. So, if you release a book that requires 4 weeks of waiting to find out what happens, you are going to lose readers. Some won’t be able to make it in when the next issue drops. And some readers are going to forget and lose interest. At least by having a self-contained story in one issue, you give a young reader a satisfying ending. It will also help to build a rapport with readers that all-in-one excitement awaits them the next time they get to frequent a comics shop.

Another thing that is going to hurt sales with this book is it’s lack of presence on digital platforms. As of press time for this book, I cannot find Marvel Action: Avengers on any digital comics site. That doesn’t mean that it will not show up. But for now, this title is available only in print. So fans will have to either make a trip to their LCS or order a copy online from IDW or another comics website.

A great read with amazing art, Marvel Action: Avengers is sure to thrill just as companion titles Spider-Man and Black Panther (both dropping in January) are sure to do. But in order to fully reach young readers, stories need to be contained to just one issue. And as much as I hate to say it, these titles need to readily be accessed online.

Marvel Action Avengers #1 debuted in print on December 26th, 2018.

Worth Consuming:

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Spider-Man Homecoming

Finally, I saw Spider-Man: Homecoming. I must say, Marvel and Sony did the right thing having Spidey join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film takes place roughly about a year after Peter Parker gets his spider powers and about 3-4 months after Captain America: Civil War.

After Peter’s experience in Munich assisting Iron Man apprehend fugitives of the Superhero Registration Act, the teen thinks he will be called upon daily to help the Avengers. But that’s just not to be the case as weeks go by without a word from Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Determined not to let his abilities and super sweet suit designed by Tony Stark go to waste, Pater Parker looks for ways to help his community as Spider-Man. However, helping old ladies across the street and rescuing cats stuck in trees just isn’t the same as battling Captain America.

Meanwhile, a lot of stolen alien tech is finding its way into the criminal element of New York City. The person behind this glut of dangerous weapons is a former contractor named Adrian Toomes played by Batman’s Michael Keaton. Toomes was put out of business by SHIELD’s office of Damage Control after the Battle of New York. In order to provide food for the tables of his crew and family, Toomes becomes the aerial scavenger, the Vulture, robbing SHIELD of technology recovered from sites where superheroes and villains have battled.

The paths of Spider-Man and the Vulture cross on one fateful day when Peter witnesses an explosion. When Spidey is nearly killed by the villain, Iron Man saves the youthful hero and warns him to stay away from this new foe, claiming that the Vulture is ‘out of his league.’ Will Peter Parker take Iron Man’s advice and be a normal kid for a change? Or will the pursuit of the next super heroic thrill spend doom for young Parker?

In the last 16 years, we’ve had 3 reboots and 3 different actors to play Spider-Man. It took a while but I think the third time was the charm. Tom Holland has the youthful exuberance that is iconic of Spidey. Hopefully, fans will get to see him under the cowl, crawling up skyscrapers for years to come.

One thing that fans weren’t so much in agreement about was the use of Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark/ Iron Man. Yes, the trailers make it look like this is another Iron Man film, but it really isn’t. Unfortunately, all of Downey’s scenes were already shown in the trailer, so there’s not much surprise as to when he’s going to appear. But Iron Man is in this film 10 minutes tops.

My Cousin Vinny’s Marisa Tomei was a pleasant surprise as Aunt May. Usually, May Parker is a feeble old woman pushing about 105 years of age. But in the Ultimate Universe, May is younger and a little less needy. I have no problem with May being a sex kitten as there are some very funny scenes where people obsess over her and she’s oblivious to it. Still some folks want their Aunt May to be like the comics and they weren’t happy with the casting. Boo-hoo!

One casting that it seems like everyone was in agreement with was that of Keaton as the Vulture! His was a nasty villain with an honorable side. They say the best villains are those that you can sympathize with and I would have to say that is how I view Keaton’s portrayal of Adrian Toomes. Keaton at least deserves an Oscar nod for his work here.

As a kid Spider-Man was one of my all-time favorites and I still have a child-like fondness for him. Homecoming really captured that spirit. It had heart and humor. I really felt like I was watching a comic book come to life. With tons of action and great twists and turns, Spider-Man: Homecoming is a nearly flawless super hero film. Now if Marvel would just bring the Fantastic Four and X-Men into the fold…

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9.5 out of 10 stars.

Iron Man: The Mask in the Iron Man

Years of hard partying, being a superhero, and the stress of losing Stark Industries results in Tony Stark suffering from a massive heart attack. In order to keep the world without an Iron Man, Stark creates an artificial intelligence inside of one of his suits in order to fill the role. But when the Ai becomes sentient (and like went doesn't an Ai do such a thing in comic books), it seeks to rid the world of Tony Stark.

The world of Iron Man is one of those sections of the Marvel Universe where I know the basics and that's about it. If it wasn't for Robert Downey Jr's portrayal of the billionaire playboy Avenger, I probably wouldn't even like Iron Man. He's smug, pretentious, and kinda gets on my nerves how he keeps losing his business and then gets it back like a man might throw a boomerang repeatedly.

As you could probably tell from my earlier comments, I feel like the Ai wanting to be a real person story has been to death. But I enjoyed this book as though the plot has gotten old, the storytelling itself was rather good. Having Tony stranded on deserted island and be forced to survive like Oliver Queen had to prior to becoming Green Arrow was actually a pretty interesting plot twist. And wouldn't you know that the genius behind all this is Joe Q himself, Joe Quesada who wrote this story?! 

Quesada is one of those figures that though I couldn't stand him as the editor of Marvel, the man's got talent and he seems to know his fan base way better than his replacement Axel Alonso ever has. I can't believe I am going to say this but Come Back Joe! Marvel needs you! We need you!

As for the art. Eh... It's very much in that dated late 90s Rob Liefeld clone model. Sean Chen and Alitha Martinez are really winning me over with the artwork. But I actually think that the pencil thin inking and washed out colors are really what makes this book not so visually appealing. 

An interesting story that could have been nothing more than a cliche. Thankfully, Joe Q. keeps it from getting stale. It's not the worst Iron Man story I've ever read but it's not one of the best drawn either. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Avengers by Brian Michael Bendis: The Heroic Age

    

    This massive collection features 3 Avengers stories written by living legend Brian Michael Bendis. Set at the beginning of the Heroic Age, right after the fall of Norman Osborne’s Dark Reign, the Avengers big three- Tony Stark, Thor, and Steve Rogers- are tasked to reform the Avengers and to bring back glory and honor to the privilege of being one of earth’s mightiest heroes. The stories collected in the massive tome are: Avengers (2010-2012) #1-6, New Avengers (2010-2013) #1-6, and the Avengers Prime miniseries. 

Overall ratings:
Avengers: 9 out of 10
Avengers Prime: 7 out of 10
New Avengers: 10 out of 10
Grand Total Rating of Book: 8.7

Captain America: Civil War

   After the devastating events in the Age of Ultron, the world has begun to lose faith it the heroes of the Avengers. As a result, the United Nations issues a set of accords that would place Earth's Mightiest Heroes under their command. Tony Stark is all for the venture while Captain America feels that this loss of autonomy will eventually mean that the Avengers would become puppets of the UN. 

   As representatives from across the globe gather to sign the proclamation into law, a terrorist blows up the proceedings, killing the king of Wakanda. The suspect is reported to be the Winter Soldier and global law enforcement is instructed to kill on sight. Steve Rogers believes that his old buddy Bucky is being framed and risks everything to save the Winter Soldier and clear his name. But it won't be easy as the Black Panther of Wakanda is on Bucky's trail and swears vengeance for the death of his father.

   Captain America: Civil War starts off like Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. There's a great action scene at the beginning and then some talk of diplomacy- a lot of talk about diplomacy. I was getting a bit disappointed as Civil War wasn't starting out as good as Captain America: the First Avenger or Winter Soldier did. I actually was feeling a little ho-hum about the picture until thankfully, someone came to save the day.

   Enter: Spider-Man and welcome to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Web-slinger. Young Peter Parker and his guardian Aunt May actually saved the movie. Both characters, played by Tom Holland and Marisa Tomei, had heart, soul, and humor, something lacking from the first 45-minutes of Civil War- I can't wait to see more of their quirky chemistry in the upcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming feature. 

Paul Rudd's Ant-Man also helps to salvage the film, adding an extra dose of humor, but really the film's savior is Spidey! Billy Elliot's Tom Holland brings something to Spider-Man that's never been done in live-action before- he brings youth. All of the previous actors to play Spidey in live action, including the Electric Company, were well into their 20s. Holland was 18 when filming began and his age brings a level naivete to the character that has been missing from the characters. Plus, Holland's star-struck quality of being on Iron Man's team organized to incarcerate the Winter Soldier and Capt, was perfect. Spider-Man is known for being a wiseacre when he fights villains and this Spidey is just like in the comics and it was about time.

   About just over 2.5 hours, this is a lengthy film. But once Iron Man and Captain America's ranks start filling out, Civil War becomes much more fast paced. Some of this is due to the lightening quick wit of the superheroes (Marvel exceeds at banter!) But, the tempo is also due to much more dynamic action scenes that take place in the last half of the film. 

    Though not my favorite Captain America picture, I did like this film somewhat more than Avengers: Age of Ultron. I honestly have no idea where Marvel is going to take these characters next after everything transpires, but the two bonus scenes during the credits give a good hint at some the fun that awaits. I just hope that the writers lay-off the swears. There were much more in this Marvel film than just about any movie prior and it's just a tad unsettling to this old-school Marvelite to have his beloved heroes talking like sailors on leave.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.