Crypt of Shadows #1 (2024)

This is the third Halloween annual from Marvel based on the short-lived horror anthology from the 70s. Only this time the Crypt of Shadows, Vol. 3 issue #1 doesn't take place in the Crypt of Shadows. Nor is the anthology hosted by Doctor Strange's deranged brother Victor. This time around, Agatha Harkness, sitting in her intergalactic residence on the planet Amanna, is our hostess and she's spying on several characters of the Marvel Universe.

First up is Agatha's former pupil, the Scarlet Witch. When a magic door appears in her kitchen, Wanda Maximoff finds herself lured into a trap. An innocent nibble on the back of the Man-Thing unleashes a plague into the murky domain of the Sub-Mariner. Finally, the Werewolf by Night, Jack Russell finds himself the latest prey at the hands of Kraven the Hunter. Thankfully old friend, Blade is on hand to make it a fair fight.

First of all, that regular cover. How I wouldn't line up at my favorite LCS to pre-order a supernatural themed title with that lineup. Having Scarlet Witch, Vision, Prince Namor, the Man-Thing, Werewolf by Night, Blade and Kraven the Hunter on the same team fighting some kind of magical threat? I'd be all over that series in a heartbeat.

The stories were pretty good. I didn't exactly like that the Scarlet Witch story was a lead up to upcoming events in the pages of her solo book. I understand that specials like these are paid for advertising for fledgling titles. At least it wasn't a cliffhanger that requires me to buy her book.

I also don't quite understand the changes with the host. There wasn't anything wrong with having Victor Strange as the host. Plus if you're going to call it the Crypt of Shadows, then it should at least take place in the Crypt of Shadows.

I do know that some of the changes were done to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For decades, Agatha Harkness has been either this ancient spindly old crone or dead. With a younger Harkness appearing in WandaVision, Marvel has once again changed the looks of a comic book character to reflect the live action version. I'm not too upset with that. Plus with the character's new Disney+ series Agatha All Along debuting now, I understand that Marvel Comics wants to cash in on that connection and is using their Halloween annual book to do it. I don't like it. But I understand the reasoning behind changing a great formula. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Crypt of Shadows #1 (2023)

For the second year in a row, Marvel releases a horror themed one-shot under the legacy banner of Crypt of Shadows. Unlike last year's offering, none of these stories seem to be set around Halloween. Also unlike last year's offering, every story was actually quite good!

Once again Victor Strange, the vampiric brother of Doctor Strange is our host. Trapped in that mirror somewhere in Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum, Victor regales readers with creepy stories set in the Marvel universe while scheming to escape from his shadow realm prison. The main theme of most of these stories are team-ups involving classic 1970s Marvel horror characters.

Deadpool is hired to kill a priestess who seeks to rule both the world and underworld. But he's got to get through N'Kantu, the Living Mummy in order to obtain his bounty. Daredevil is nearly ripped to shreds by the ninja clan known as the Hand. Coming to his aid is the Man-Thing, whose touch results in death in those who know fear. Good thing Matt Murdock is the Man Without Fear. Then the Hulk is assisted by the Werewolf by Night from an all-out assault by Kraven the Hunter. 

The only story to not feature a team-up stars the Scarlet Witch. She fights a demonic force called Bricklayer. It's the villain's first appearance and it's a pretty darn good one. Years ago, this haunted house was destroyed. Only one of the bricks from the possessed domicile lodged itself into the chest of a vagrant. Now the vagrant continues the destroyed home's reign of terror by killing innocents as the super-strong and extremely evil Bricklayer. This was a villain I very much want to see more off and the tagline at the end of the story promises more of the character. Though I expect Bricklayer's legacy to be taken up by a new host body.

Fans are also promised more of Victor Strange in the pages of Doctor Strange. I'm excited for this prospect as well. It might actually persuade me to buy the books new when Marvel finally pits brother against brother once more. 

Marvel managed to make a Halloween special that was relevant and yet not preachy. Comics can tackle tricky subjects while still being fun. Finally, after several years of feeling like I was being targeted by the House of Ideas, it seems that the publisher finally understands that fans want to be entertained, not talked down too. If I wanted to spend my hard earned cash being made to feel like the source of all humanities problems, I'd enroll in an ethics course in college. When I buy comic books, I want to enjoy it and I actually enjoyed this horror comic.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Crypt of Shadows #1

I've gotta hand it to Marvel. I really thought that they skipped producing a horror special just in time for Halloween once again. However, I was wrong. Crypt of Shadows is based on Marvel's Infinite Comics (in other words, web comic) of the same name. But for an established fan of horror comics, the title goes back even further with Crypt of Shadows being one of Marvel's first horror anthologies to come after the loosened restrictions on stories about monsters by the Comics Code Authority. 

I don't recall that the original series from 1973-75 had a host. But the third volume of the title does! The host is Victor Strange, younger brother of Doctor Strange who is trapped in a pocket universe inside a mirror down in the Crypt of Shadows section of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Victor hosts 5 stories in total with 3 of them definitely set during Halloween. 

• Bloodline, the Daughter of Blade, inspects reports of a vampire terrorizing the streets of Atlanta only to find a pair of ghost hunters with unsavory intentions.
• Morbius, the Living Vampire, is tormented by a swarm of demonic bugs that only he can see and hear.
• Young Werewolf by Night, Jake Gomez, is invited to what is supposed to be the hottest Halloween Party in the Big Apple. Only when he arrives, Jake learns that he's the only guest on scene. But he's not the only werewolf!
• Elsa Bloodstone and Johnny Storm trudge through the sewers of New York seeking a horrible monster made up of a mutated Spider-Man Man-Spider monster! Yes- Spidey has multiple arms and 8 eyes once again!
• The Laura Kinney Wolverine and Man-Thing do endless battle in the Infinite Swamp. In a twist I don't think anyone saw coming, Man-Thing's pheromones meet Laura go full berserker mode and her rage makes Man-Thing keep producing more natural chemicals keeping the two brawlers battling through all time.

I'm not as up-to-date on modern Marvel as I am on current DC Comics. I did not know that the vampire hunter Blade had a daughter named Bloodline. I also was not aware that Jack Russell had been replaced by teenager Jake Gomez. I have no complaints about either. I just wasn't familiar with these two.

I felt that the Morbius story was the creepiest. That ending which was inspired by such films as the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers really got under my skin. The Wolverine and Man-Thing battle was also very good. Though a couple of the pages had intentionally blurry artwork and with the psychedelic palette and unpanelled artwork, the beginning was a little vertigo inducing. 

With 3 of the 5 stories being set during Halloween and host Victor Strange mentioning that it's All Hallow's Eve at the beginning of this one-shot, I'm going to declare that this is indeed a Halloween special. But I am also going to say that I feel cheated by Marvel. 

Victor Strange tells viewers to follow his adventures over at Marvel Unlimited for exclusive digital content. I know that Marvel has been releasing holiday specials annually through the Infinite Comics Imprint. But they've also been doing Halloween stuff too? Unfair! Really, Unfair!

I know Marvel wants to release their stuff digitally as a way of covering costs. But come on- release this stuff as a floppie as well! I will buy it. I know others that are print only and they are devoted to holiday specials! House of Ideas, at least consider releasing your holiday books as a trade or hardcover!

Sadly, the digital only stuff is the new nature of the beast. It's like how TV and film have gone to streaming only. It's just that companies like Disney/Marvel and Warner/DC have got to understand that a large chunk of their customer base are die hard devotees to traditional mediums and both have got to continue to market to those customers if they want to stay out of the red ink!

A good Halloween horror anthology. Only it could have been better had Marvel dug deep into its digital archives. Those stories seem more enjoyable and fun- and more TRADITIONAL TOO!- and that's the kind of stuff a reader like myself wants. Make the material that captures the spirit of vintage Marvel available in print and take the more legacy related stuff like Bloodline and Jake Gomez and have their stuff be digital as that's where the younger readers are going to get their comics. I think if Marvel would switch things around to have the more modern edgy stuff being online and the stuff that recalls the days of Stan Lee, Roy Thomas and Jim Shooter go into print, they'd see a rise in sales.

What have you got to lose, Marvel and Disney? It's worth a shot to appropriately market to the correct demographics!

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #167

After spending the past few issues trying to kill each other, Michael Badilino and Sam Buchanan find themselves both on the NYPD's paranormal task. Add to the fact that both Badilino and Buchanan have the hots for teammate Rebecca Taylor, you know that things are going to run smoothly for the two. 

In the first chapter of the newest Ghost Rider epic, a seedy televangelist is rising public fervor against the demonically powered Vengeance. But on the flip side, a new gang of rowdies that are devoted to the Spirit of Vengeance, called the Revengers, have taken to the streets of the Big Apple. Dressed as the Ghost Rider, these guys enact their own form of vengeance against those who wronged others.

The Man-Thing story comes to an end. After several very good Marvel Horror style chapters, the last chapter got really philosophical. There's a lot of symbolism in this finale and I am sure that a lot of it is the author Simon Jowett's (Black Axe) way of journaling some of his insecurities and fears as a creator of words. At least I understood most of the ending...

The Turbo story also comes to a close. It was only a 2-parter. But it was such an entertaining two-parter that was very wacky. I would've been okay if this story had continued for another couple of chapters. 

Lastly, the Julia Carpenter Spider-Woman is dealing with a stalker who is taking her rejections out on the populace through a series of sniper attacks. Now Carpenter's daughter (and subsequent school) have been named as the next planned assault and Spider-Woman and her Force Works allies must race to find the killer and save her child!

Every story was engrossing enough to have something that I enjoyed. After a very rocky start, I keep finding the character of Vengeance and especially alter-ego Michael Badilino to just keep getting better and better. The Man-Thing story had that gothic antebellum edge that makes me a fan of the character. I'm just not real big on symbolism. The New Warrior Turbo romp could have extended for several more issues. But man, what a fun ride. As for the Spider-Woman story. It's a great psychological thriller. However, being a teacher, I'm finding that the subject matter of mass shootings and potential school violence hitting a little too close to home.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #166

4 very thrilling chapters comprise this issue. 

First up, Ted Sallis is getting the chance to live the life he would have lived had he not been tragically transformed into the Man-Thing. Meanwhile, the Man-Thing, now completely devoid of any humanity, wanders aimlessly through a creepy Southern mansion, killing indiscriminately. 

The tag-team duo of Mike Jeffries and Mickey Musashi, who together make up one member of the New Warriors, Turbo, are back. This time, it's Mike's turn to wear the Torpedo costume. A band of alien warriors have come to earth to claim the costume. Too bad it's Mickey who's the brawn of the outfit and nowhere near this super-powered outfit...

In another opening segment, the Julia Carpenter Spider-Woman is the main star. On a brief respite from Force Works, Carpenter has obtained a stalker who promises to do something drastic if the heroine doesn't promise to become his lover.

Lastly, it's a showdown between Vengeance, Psiphon and Sam Buchanan in the closing segment of this Ghost Rider tale. There's an unexpected shift in allegiances here. One that promises to make Badilino's time on the Paranormal Law Enforcement Team hellish for issues to come. 

The Man-Thing story is extremely meta. It's the sort of thing I'd expect of Grant Morrison or Alan Moore. But this is Marvel and not Vertigo. The Turbo story is hilarious. But it could really use some Slapstick. I thought the Vengeance story was a thrill a minute. Those stories have gotten better now that they seem to focus a little bit more on Vengeance's alter-ego, Michael Badilino. 

As for the Spider-Woman tale, its source material of a deranged admirer willing to turn sniper at a local shopping center is just too realistic for 2022 audiences. In 1994, this was still fairly far-fetched stuff even though Mark David Chapman and John Hinckley Jr. were only 15 years prior. Sadly, nowadays, this sort of stuff seems like a daily occurrence. And as a school teacher, it just hits too close to home.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #165

A lot of stuff is happening in this issue. 

Things get metaphysical with the Man-Thing story when the character arrives at a desolate chateau called The Writer's Mansion. By some sort of magic, Ted Sallis has been separated from his mindless form. Now Sallis lives the life he was meant to enjoy while the Man-Thing entity wanders the corridors of the decrepit home running into characters that might have been created by the mysterious 'Writer'.

Vengeance has got his work cut out for him as both demon hunter Sam Buchanan and the energy-sucking mutant Psiphon work together to bring the latest Ghost Rider down!

In the one-and-done story, Mr. Fantastic is dickering around in the Negative Zone again when the crazed despot Blastaar seeks out revenge on Reed Richards for all the trouble he and the rest of the Fantastic Four has caused over the years. 

The Tigra story comes to an end and it takes a very dark turn. See, the reason all those people were kidnapped is that they were to become the harem of a really, really large sultan from some made up Middle Eastern nation. At least Tigra gets some sweet revenge on the scum bag. 

Another quality issue full of action and excitement.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #164

3 all-new segments either start or appear in this issue. 

The ever-lovin' Blue Eyed Thing, Ben Grimm, gets in an altercation on the streets of the Big Apple. One of the victims is a young boy's rabbit that escapes its cage and flees into the NYC subway system. Leave it to the founding member of the Fantastic Four to begrudgingly track the little fella all the way through many a rat infested tunnel...

Then for the first time since a one-shot appearance in MCP #29 and the first time headlining a multiparter since all the way back in issues 1-12, Man-Thing returns. The first segment isn't really action-packed. It also stars Ted Sallis' former lover Ellen Brandt and is more of a refresher of the Man-Thing's origin story than anything else.

Rounding things out on the debut front is another Vengeance story. This one involves two blasts from Michael Badilino's past. First is the energy-absorbing mutant, Psiphon. Next is the former special forces member and demon hunter/hater, Samson Buchanan who now possesses a more deadlier version of the famed Exorcist gun from some previous MCP story that I can't quite recall. I think it was during the Midnight Sons story line...

The only continuing segment involves the sometime Avenger, Tigra. She's gone on the hunt for some slavers who have captured members of an indigenous Australian tribe that Tigra has taken refuge with. Needless to say, she's pissed.

The Thing's story was sweet and enduring. Another reason to love the members of Marvel's First Family. The Man-Thing story is an origin story. If you kinda know the story, then things are mostly yesterday's news. If anything has been rebooted, I'm not that familiar with the character to have picked through the changes. The Vengeabnce story promises to be another exciting tale that wisely focuses on Badilino's police force career as much as his time as a Ghost Rider. As for the Tigra story, the level of excitement is getting higher as this is the penultimate chapter. But the real winner here again is John Czop's amazing artwork.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #12

The Man-Thing story ends in gory fashion. 11 chapters with a total of maybe 11 images of the Man-Thing is culminated in 8 pages of Man-Thing rampage. Ironically, this was the worst chapter of the entire storyline. 

With the Colossus story- Peter Rasputin learns that he's got an ally in the group that wants to kill him and a small Midwestern family. 

The two stand alone stories star Hercules and Namorita. Once again, the son of Zeus finds himself being tested by Big Daddy. As for the cousin of Prince Namor, she's about to return to visit her people when she's drawn into a dispute between the police and a villain whom might not be as villainous as they seem.

A pretty weak offering. But that retro-looking cover by Ron Franz (The Amazing Spider-Man) and Joe Sinnott (Apache Kid) was fantastic!

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #11

Colossus takes over the temporary starring role of this title which pits the X-Man with an American family who accidentally saw the wrong thing at the wrong time. It will take more than the mutant's metal skin and incalculable strength to prevent a Midwestern version of The Punisher from occurring.

In the one-and-done segments of this title, we get a fun story starring the Scott Lang Ant-Man and a gritty story starring one of the Wolfpack, Slag. The Scott Lang story was beautifully illustrated by Iron Man's Bob Layton. It has Lang shrinking down to retrieve a family heirloom that daughter Cassie dropped down the bathroom drain. You never knew the sewers were so dangerous! And I wished this fun tale wouldn't have ended.

As for Slag- I'm not really familiar with him. I've got a few Wolfpack issues. But since I don't have the complete mini, I've not read it yet. Can't really say that what I read has made me go out and find those missing chapters compared to other recent readings of things. 

Then we've got that Man-Thing story that doesn't have the Man-Thing in it. Well, it's chapter 11 (out of 12) and Man-Thing finally shows up for more than one or two panels. Things get really odd and while a little bit of the Drugs-Devil Worship-Iran Contra connection isn't clear; it still makes for a great read. 

Overall 3 out of 4 stories were really well done. #4 was forgettable. Literally. Still, this was an enjoyable read!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #10

I love the Fastball Special coming my way from Mike Harris (Marvel Team-Up). It signifies the end of the Wolverine/Tyger Tiger epic, which ran about 2 chapters too long and the beginning of Colossus' solo epic, 'God's Country"; a story that I've reread at least twice so far and I like it more each time.

The Man-Thing story that isn't a Man-Thing story is hitting the home stretch and it's getting weird. Good weird. 

Then we've got a one-and-done starring Machine Man. According to the title, M.M. will meet the F.F. Only it's not the Fantastic Four. Nor is it the the First Family of Marvel's rotating line-up of arch foes, The Fearsome Four. No, this is a bunch of odd balls called the Failure Five. If it wasn't for the fact that the creative team behind this story consists of greats Steve Ditko and Dave Cockrum, it would have sucked major rocks. 

An uneven issue. But when you've got 4 chapters of 4 different stories going into completely off-the-wall directions, I guess this is the best you can ask for. 

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #9

There's 2 one-and-done stories in this issue. The first has Cloak, from Cloak and Dagger, on a solo adventure. A youngster has disappeared in a cave and the reason for the disappearance has sinister origins. Or does it? Mole Man's Moloids are behind the kidnapping. When it comes to many of their actions, its often due to a sort of culture clash kinda confusion and almost always comical... Not here! 

Writer Marcus McLaurin (The Punisher) has this what should be lighthearted adventure go quite dark.  It just wasn't necessary. Yet, that's the gritty late 80s Marvel for you. DC went light and offbeat. The House of Ideas wanted to be more mature with a social relevance slant. With a story like this, it just doesn't work.

Thankfully, in story #2, the writers do go light! X-Men's Scott Lobdell, who is known for having a bit of a funny bone, spins a yarn about a Marvel superhero so obscure, I've never even heard of him. The Spaniard El Aguila, is a mix of Zorro, Captain America and The Tick. In Lobdell's story, El Aguila returns to his home town, only to find it overrun by a mutant crime lord whose powers are derived from contact with the earth. El Aguila, despite being a mutant himself, is grossly outmatched. But the hero is far from outwitted. This was such a great story. I hated to see it end. I hate even more to find out that Lobdell and El Aguila never got a chance to reteam in some sort of humor action comedy series. 

That's the gritty 80s Marvel for you!

No real changes occur in the very interesting Man-Thing story (that has very little Man-Thing). There's only 1 chapter left in the Wolverine story. Can't wait for something new to take it's place. But I love the cover from Brian Murray. 

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.

Marvel Comics Presents #7

The best story thus far is a very convoluted tale involving Iran-Contra, drug dealers and devil worshipers. Oh, and Man-Thing. But he's nowhere to be found. 

It's almost like somebody at Marvel wanted to do a story based on the Ollie North/Reagan Administration scandal and got the okay to do it. But in order to do it (and not get hit with a lawsuit), the creative team were told to add a Marvel character to the story. Man-Thing got selected. But in order to keep the nature of the story as in tact as possible, Man-Thing's presence is minimal. Ultra minimal!

The Master of Kung-Fu story also has an Iran Contra type scandal in the mix. But it's the reverse of the Man-Thing story as the political espionage is minuscule and Shang Chi's presence is rather large. Yet, this tale is rather lame. The Master of Kung-Fu was a great series during the 1970s, when it reflected the hugely popular trend of kung-fu movies. Now in the late 80s, with the trend being ninjas and karate, this story just doesn't resonate so very well.

The Wolverine story is okay. But I'm not really big on the whole 'I'm the best there is at what I do and what I do isn't very nice' 80s mentality of Wolverine. I'm more of a Hugh Jackman Wolverine era fan. But that one-and-done Sub-Mariner story involving Prince Namor and a submarine was rather fun. It reflected that classic 40s and 60s Atlantean anti-hero vibe. Too bad that wasn't a multi-parter...

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #6

If you've ever wondered how Wolverine came to utilize the Patch persona, this story set in Madripoor is the origin story you've been looking for. Having read some of Logan's exploits as his alter ego, it's really cool putting those pieces together with this storyline.

Speaking of alter-egos- the one-and-done fourth story involves the Incredible Hulk as that Vegas tough, Mr. Fixit. I've really wanted to read some of this era of Hulk lore. This story involving a version of the Hulk completely unknown to me was a pleasant surprise. 

The Man-Thing story is still very odd and yet really good. 

The Master of Kung-Fu story is still a bit of a chore to read. But! The cliffhanger has peaked my interest. So hopefully the forthcoming penultimate chapter will not disappoint! Fingers crossed but expectations are low.

Killer wraparound cover utilizing the biological abilities of Man-Thing!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #5

Thanks to an energy vampire, Wolverine is in some of the worst shape I have ever seen the mutant in this side of the live action Logan film.

With Man-Thing, things are getting even more weirder with this cult of Satan worshipers who have accepted the muck monster as a demonic answer to their prayers. Still not sure what they've got to do with selling weapons to fund rebels in South America. But I just can't put these 8 pages down!

I hate, Hate, HATE the Master of Kung-Fu story. An old frienemy of Shang-Chi's has joined forces in hopes of rescuing an old flame. But the kidnapper's overall objective, which involves selling drugs to fund rebels in South America is just too freakin' similar to the Man-Thing story. Why didn't the editors wait on this story until after the Man-Thing saga wraps up?

Lastly, in the 8-page closer, Daredevil comes across a teenager, mangled to a pulp, in an alley. The boy claims that someone is trying to kill him. The Man Without Fear persuades the lad to seek out Matt Murdock for help from the tormentor. But who the lawyer discovers is behind the stalking will shock everyone- including this reader!

Three very solid stories. And then there's the Master of Kung-Fu. Such a disappointment. Especially, considering how much I was looking forward to this tale. But I push on...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #4

Al Milgrom's Fear Eater saga concludes in this issue. After facing the Silver Surfer, Steve Rogers and the ever lovin' blue-eyed Thing, the parasite decides to feast on Thor, The God of Thunder!  point of near-starvation, the Fear Eater must succeed, least he waste away to nothing.

The Fear Eater sidelines the Asgardian with a mild malady while summoning up the foretold Ragnarok. Unable to join his warrior brothers, Thor despairs. It looks like the Fear Eater is finding going to munch on a Marvel Super Hero!

The stories starring Wolverine, The Master of Kung-Fu and Man-Thing continue. All of them are rather good. Logan gets the literal crap slapped out of him with a foe called Razorfist. 

The Shang-Chi story starts to finally build up steam. But with the motive of that stories baddie being tied in with Iran-Contra just as the Man-Thing story, it just seems to me that the editors should have spread things out a little bit. It makes for what is supposed to be a fresh collection of anthology tales feeling a little bit stale. 

And once again- where in the frick is Man-Thing? Never before have I experienced a story where the main character is such a non-entity. Good thing that the 'supporting cast' is so interesting. But, Geez...

Oh- and that twist ending to the Fear Eater story! CLASSIC!!!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #3

Wolverine is reunited with a blast from his past- Jessan Hoan. Only she doesn't remember ever knowing the Canadian mutant.

The confusing web of the political conspiracy in the Man-Thing saga gets even more tangled. Now we've got a pagan priestess involved in matters. 

Shang-Chi agrees to help his old friends to save his old flame. But to do this, he's going to need to call in reinforcements and that means calling on an old foe.

Lastly, the Fear Eater turns to Ben Grimm as his next meal. A recent blast of gamma energy has caused the FF's Thing to mutate further. But it's when the Fear Eater turns Thing back into his human form does Aunt Petunia's favorite nephew start to have doubts.

The Wolverine story continues to captivate. The chapter starring the Master of Kung-Fu seemed unneeded. Lots of talk but no meat. The Thing story was okay. But it seems to me as a long time reader of Fantastic Four stories that having the Fear Eater mutate Ben Grimm further would do more to wreck the hero's confidence than reverting him back to human. 

As for this chapter of Man-Thing. I don't know what to tell you. The story is interesting. But I can't understand why the United States government would need devil worshipers to stop Communism in a South American country. 

A mixed bag. Typical for an anthology. But a couple of segments were some hot messes. 

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #2

In the second issue of Marvel Comics Presents, Wolverine survives his first taste of the Madripoor nightlife only to come face-to-face with an old friend. Then in the political saga involving the Man-Thing, we get lots of conspiracy and intrigue but very little-to-no Man-Thing. Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung-Fu, is reunited with a lost love. But things appear complicated with a new mystery man added to the reunite clandestine team's line-up. The fact that the paramour gets kidnapped by thugs doesn't help thing either. 

Lastly, in the lone stand alone story, Al Milgrom brings back the Fear Eater. On the menu today is The Captain. Not Captain America. Just The Captain. But it's still Steve Rogers and with the former World War II non-com comes the baggage of the death of sidekick Bucky Barnes. It's that sort of grief that makes for some tasty vittles for the Fear Eater!

A good second issue. No sophomore slump here. The Wolverine story is that sort of gritty B-movie action flick stuff you'd expect from the late 80s. But it's intriguing. The Shang-Chi story has the titillating edge found with adventure flicks filled with femme fatales. And Al Milgrom's Fear Eater stories are great.

I just can't put my finger on the Man-Thing story. Why is he even in this thing? It's a good story. But with Man-Thing maybe appearing in one or two panels- what's the point of having him in this tale? I think people would have read this minus a main Marvel character's inclusion. But what do I know? I've only been reading comic books my whole life...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Legion of Monsters: Man-Thing (The 160-Character Review Challenge)

Girl stumbles upon cult that feasts on Man-Thing. Simon Garth finds zombie love at city morgue. Two tales= trippy stuff. Worth a consume. 7/10

Adventures of the Thing #3 (of 4)

The reprint mini-series comes to a close with a classic ‘team-up’ of the Thing and the Man-Thing. Technically, they don’t really meet as Ben Grimm, recruited by Nick Fury to test a new SHIELD jet, crashes into the Florida Everglades and is injured and blinded by the destruction. A band of poachers is on the Thing’s trail, thinking him to be a rare orange alligator. Seeing that the Thing can’t defend himself, the Man-Thing runs interference.

Here’s my take on this story. When I first read it, I was engrossed by the drama, fearful for the Thing’s life. But as I write this review, I realize that nothing the poachers have on them would constitute as fatal to Ben Grimm. He’s made of living rock, so nothing short of a grenade launcher is going to kill him. However, the crash did give the Thing a severe concussion, as falls from great heights can break rock. So, the race for SHIELD to find Ben before his injuries kill him is a justified drama. But, I guess having the Man-Thing keep Ben from falling asleep in swamp water isn’t as thrilling as a pair of Deliverance rejects seeking to have the Thing mounted and stuffed.

Again, I am torn about how to rate this book. I had trouble with the plot. Thankfully, the art was okay. As you may know from reading my previews of the first three issues of this series, I was upset that this book didn’t have any new content. Thankfully, I’ve never read this issue before, so there’s a little positivity.

In the end, I think Marvel should give this mini-series another chance. Include the reprinted Marvel Two-In-One story in each issue, but include an all-new team-up in the book as well. You could have the Thing teaming up with the same heroes he does in the reprint or create a sequel to the story with a different hero or even villain. Also, I would like to see the original talent behind those tales reunite for the all new story.

Marvel, if you’re reading this and you use my idea, the only payment I would like is all 4 issues free and a small blurb thanking me for the idea on the title page of each book. I consider that a fair compensation.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Overall series rating: 6.75

Issue reprinted is Marvel Two-In-One #77