Wolverine & The Black Cat: Claws

Man is supposed to be the most deadly game there is to hunt. If that's true, then what do you call it when the prey is no other than the mutant Wolverine? The X-Man finds himself on a deserted island and locked in a cage. It seems that Arcade, the wonder-kind behind such deadly projects as Murderworld, has arranged it so that a bunch of rich jerks can go on the hunt of a lifetime.

Added to the mix is Felicia Hardy- AKA The Black Cat. How she got mixed up in the mess is beyond her comprehension. And don't bother asking Wolverine about this. He doesn't even know who Felicia Hardy is. 

One is a gruff Canadian cigar chomping beer-swigging mutant. The other is a socialite thief with the ability to change a probability field to her odds and a taste for champagne. Despite the fact that Wolverine and Black Cat are one of the most unlikely pairs to ever team-up in the Marvel Universe, there's one thing linking the both of them: they're both mad as hell at this deadly situation and ready for payback! Oh! And they both have claws! Sharp claws ready to draw the first blood!

Jimmy Palmiotti (Harley Quinn/Gossamer Special) crafts a fun read full of action, adventure and mischief. Arcade is at his murderous best. Though, I really liked the inclusion of his girlfriend. There's a real Harley Quinn quality to her and they play off each other with such a banter of the likes of Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn or Hepburn and Cary Grant! 

(Oooh! Oooh! I just had a thought. Wouldn't a team-up of Arcade and The Riddler be rich?! I'd play good money for such!)

The artwork is by Joseph Michael Linsner (Red Sonja). His illustrations of the Black Cat and Arcade's gal pal are ultra sultry. But the way he's drawn Wolverine is kinda feral. But not like a wild animal. More like a furry kitten. I'm sorry but Felicia Hardy's face looks more deadly and dangerous than that of Logan's. At least Arcade and the murderous 'proud boys' look pretty dastardly.

Too bad that they never made a sequel to this Marvel Knights tale! WAITAMINUTE!!!! They made a sequel!?! That's immediately going on my wishlist!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Deathlok: The Demolisher

Deathlok is a lot like the DC Comics character The Demon. Stylistically, he's a pretty awesome character with really great abilities. But unlike the Jack Kirby creation, Deathlok has undergone a ton of complex and often confusing retools. He still looks freakin' amazing. But his backstory is about as jumbled as the memories left in his cybernetically enhanced brain.

This Marvel Knights adaptation of Deathlok takes place in the near future. The corrupt corporation Roxxon owns just about everything to the point that squabbles over water rights and borders are fought in televised battles sponsored by the megacorporation. The bravest and most daring of soldiers are used to sell everything from cola to the newest weapons seen on the battlefield. 

An up-and-coming warrior named Travers is about to make squad leader when his CO Luther Manning kills him for disobeying orders. In hopes to still cash in on this profitable character, Roxxon develops a series of clones that just aren't up to par as there's not enough viable tissues remaining. In response, a super solider is created of the remaining Travers stock along what's left of Manning's brain. 

At first it looks like Roxxon has created the ultimate solider known as Deathlok. However, it becomes quickly clear that Deathlok is unwilling to become a pawn of the corporate machine. Desperate to find Manning's wife and son, the combined mental forces of Travers and Manning make kindling of Roxxon's military might while subconsciously the duo fight off viruses and other cybernetic stimuli created to destroy Deathlok's brain.

This book was a mixed bag. I really enjoyed the opening chapter and the ending was really good. There were some kick-ass fight scenes spread throughout. But the scenes involving Roxxon trying to control Deathlok were really confusing and quite dull. There's a lot of techno-babble that went a bit over my head and those scenes really slowed the pace of this story down to a tortoise pace. 

The metaphysical parts of Manning and Travers working together as the hive mind of Deathlok were also some really interesting segments. I could have done with more of that and a lot less of Roxxon's scientists giving their maniacal ubiquitous monologues on how to kill Deathlok.

This story was also a parody of celebrity culture, especially in how the lines of realism in reality television and the news media are often blurred for the sake of ratings. There's definite nods to several other films about the role of sport and violence in dystopian societies such as The Running Man, Rollerball, and Death Race 2000. Plus, I'd be in serious denial if I didn't mention that the Universal Solider films seem to have played a large part in the plot's inspiration as well.

 For the most, writer Charlie Huston's (Moon Knight) vision is quite gritty while border-lining on the absurd. Yet, everyday, I am stunned even more by how much reality television and pro-sports is looking a lot like the Saturday night wars in this book. So maybe it's not too weird after all.

Also, this is a Marvel Knights book, meaning that it's a little more of an adult comic than most things published by Marvel. It's even got a parental advisory on the back. The language in this book is comically X'd out. But the level of gore is quite disturbing. I haven't seen this much graphic representation of the horrors of war since the opening 20 minutes of Saving Private Ryan. Punisher MAX artist Lan Medina must also be a huge fan of the film Scanners as there's quite a few exploding heads in this book as well. 

Definitely not a book for the kiddies. Nor recommended for those with weak stomachs and an aversion to blood and gore, even if it is just illustrations of it.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Daredevil: Yellow

There was once a time when the Man Without Fear wore yellow. That original look is often ridiculed by fans and mocked by Marvel artists. But I liked the style. It's way better than the time the hero went with full body armor…

   The creative duo of Jeph Loeb explore that fashion faux pas period of Daredevil's career in this offering in their Marvel Color series. When young Matt Murdock is blinded saving a jaywalking elderly man, the kid is doused with chemicals. The radioactive soup gives Matt heightened senses and a powerful radar- like ability to stay out of harm's way.

  It looks like Matt will become a run of the mill defense attorney. That is until mobsters murder Matt's father for refusing to take a dive during a boxing match. Seeking justice when the crooks get off on a technicality, Matt crafts a suit and becomes Daredevil.

  Daredevil is one of those heroes that has grown on me over the years. As a kid, it was unbelievable that a blind person could make their own suit and weapons. But as I got older, I have witnessed the amazing things not just the blind can accomplish but anyone with a disability. In other words, Daredevil is one of the few superheroes that becomes more realistic the older the reader gets…

  Loeb pens yet another awesome script and the deft pencils of Tim Sale ( with beautiful watercolors by Tim Hollingsworth.) I really liked the job that they did on Hulk: Gray and The Long Halloween so much that I am now always on the lookout for anything by Loeb and Sale.

  While this story recalls the origin of Daredevil, this is more of a chronicle of the doomed love affair between Matt and his secretary, Karen Page. Karen was a blonde beauty and her striking gold hair plays on the color motif of the book. Hence, the name of the book, if you didn't get that already...

 Daredevil: Yellow was a delightful read and I highly recommend it. It was published under the more mature Marvel Knights imprint from 1998-2013. But with the exception of the questionable liberties that the Purple Man implies that he took with Mrs. Page in the final chapter, this book was very tame. So I don't think that parents of kids aged 13 would have anything to be upset with. Except maybe for the gaudy yellow costume...

  Worth Consuming.

  Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

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.

Captain America, Volume 1: The New Deal (Marvel Knights)

In this collection of the first six issues of the Marvel Knights Captain America series, Cap is assigned to free a small town from terrorists. The entire town is being held hostage and will only be freed if Captain America dies. Before his infiltration, the Sentinel of Freedom is offered a new type of dog tag that will register if the Avenger is alive or not. It turns red when the wearer's life functions cease.

However, when Cap notices that all of the terrorists are wearing this experimental technology, he smells a rat and goes on a rampage throughout SHIELD headquarters. Thus begins a global trek that will pit the first Avenger against a new foe who represents an age-old terror.

Marvel Knights is supposed to be a grittier PG-13/ R rated version of the Marvel Comics. While the fight scenes are more graphic than most Captain America comics that I have read, there’s very little else objectionable in this series. The language is PG, there’s no sex, no nudity either. As for Captain America, he’s wholesome and stands for his morals and nation without compromise.

I can see elements of the Winter Soldier film in this book. Cap’s uniform is more streamlines and more geared for protection and supply. His mask even conceals a helmet. Also, Steve Rogers’ unease with being lied to by Nick Fury and his SHIELD superiors is similar to the unsettled feeling Chris Evans’ Cap has towards the heli-carrier program.

I was very happy with this book. There are some plot lines left open, especially as to just who is operating behind the scenes of the US government to supply these new dog tags that not only report of a soldier’s health, but can even kill. I’ve got a pretty good understanding as to how SHIELD got a hold of this tech, but there’s still some question as to the morality of the agencies supply line. The New Deal has a definite ending- no “To Be Continued Here.” However, I think volume 2 probably delves more into these loose ends. Hopefully, I will get my hands on that book shortly and see.

Lastly, I want to talk about the art. It’s very clean and the inking is superb. I just love the sketched quality of the pages and the muted color palette. The covers are excellent and look like the patriotic posters of World War II enlistment campaigns. Artist John Cassaday is the perfect Captain America artist.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.