Deadpool, Vol. 1: Secret Invasion

The Skrull Empire has infiltrated planet Earth. As the Skrulls can transform into anybody and anyone, nobody can be trusted. Always one to take the winning side, mutant mercenary Deadpool has defected to the Skrull Empire. But can Wade Wilson be trusted? Is this Deadpool a Skrull as well? Why am I asking so many questions?

Having the zany, wacky, CRAZY Deadpool join the side of the Skrulls, a super-serious race with zero funny bones is a lot like Bugs Bunny giving Elmer Fudd or Yosemite Sam fits. Wade Wilson has a reputation of being extremely undependable. And his loyalty is like that of Lobo or Boba Fett- in the hands of the highest bidder. 

Daniel Way (Wolverine: Origins) is the writer behind this chapter of the Secret Invasion. While this was a insane sci-fi adventure tale, it's lacking the level of surrealism that a Deadpool story by Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn would have. And yes- I prefer that take on the Merc with a Mouth much more than Daniel Way's. So this book wasn't bad. It just isn't an edgy enough take on the character. 

One thing that added a lot of enjoyment to this read was the artwork by Paco Medina and Carlo Barberi (Ultimate Comics: X-Men). The scene where a Deadpool convinces a bunch of Skrulls to morph into him was rather hilarious. And the femme fatales that occupy the second half of this book are very alluring. 

I just wish Daniel Way's writing was as thrilling as the artwork.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Spider-Woman: Agent of SWORD (Hardcover Edition; includes motion comic DVD)

  In the aftermath of the Secret Invasion of the Skrulls, Jessica Drew, AKA Spider-Woman, is having trouble finding her place in the world. The Skrull Queen kidnapped the heroine, impersonating her, and nearly enslaving the human race. Restored to humanity and looking very much like the face of the Skrull invaders, Drew has lost friendships, relationships, and her self-esteem. 

   So when a woman with green hair comes around offering Spider-Woman a chance to get revenge on the Skrull race who did her wrong (and make a little money to boot) it's not very hard for her to ask 'Where do I sign?'  Spider-Woman might want to eat those words when her first assignment sends her to the seediest place on earth- Madripoor. 

    This mini-series from 2009 was originally released as a groundbreaking motion comic through iTunes. It was supposed to the be the first in a long line of comics that Marvel would publish in the new digital format for years to come.  But due to a score of delays, numerous burnt-out artists, and a general lack of interest, the Marvel motion comic project fizzled after just a couple of releases. 

   Thankfully, that was not the end of Jessica's story as Agent of SWORD was later released in single issue form a few months later. This volume collects all 6 issues and includes a copy of the comic in the digital form as intended by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Alex Maleev. 

   While Bendis doesn't disappoint with his deft storytelling, it's the art that is what makes this book worth owning. Maleev uses real models and then through the magic of digital paint, he renders the subject into an array of heroes, villains, and everything in-between. His painted covers are a sultry delight as well.

   The coloring of this story was quite dim and it doesn't translate very well online. Maybe the choice of colors was some sort of cameraman's trick to make the special effects pop,  but I just didn't like the motion comic version of this story. I also didn't like the voice actors used. Now, I think the big problem with that was not so much that they weren't talented but since I read the print version before watching the DVD, I had built up the voices in my head, so that what I heard just didn't fit my preconceived notions. 

   I bought this book on discount and I was very excited to own it. Now that I'm done, I feel like I got a really good read out of it and a disappointing cartoon version to boot. To be honest, I'm not going to keep this one. It's going to end up in my pile of books to sell. If you live in the central North Carolina area, keep an eye out as my copy might be popping up on a used bookstore shelf near you.

   Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Franklin Richards, Son of a Genius: Not-So-Secret Invasion #1

I know that the Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius books are geared for kids, but they are funny! Drawn like Calvin and Hobbes, there’s a sort of C&H magic/ banter between Franklin and his robot nanny and bodyguard H.E.R.B.I.E.

In this issue, there are 3 short stories involving the boy and his android. First, the cover tale in which a young Skrull tries to assume Franklin’s persona. But he acts like a perfect gentleman and that makes everybody weary. Then Franklin is summoned to the deep to help his buddy, Squid-boy.  

Finally, another one of Franklin’s attempts to become a super athlete using one of Mr. Fantastic’s inventions goes awry.

All ages fun that has a little something for everyone.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Secret Invasion: Requiem

Janet Van Dyne, AKA The Wasp, has died and now ex-husband and long-time lover Hank Pym finds himself in charge of clearing her estate. Wanting to make amends for her death as well as how poorly he treated her over the years, Pym reflects over his love life in hopes of finding a way to honor the fallen Avenger.

In Requiem, we see the beginning of Pym and Janet’s relationship with the Wasp’s origin, reprinting Tales to Astonish #44 and then we see the end of Hank and Jan’s marriage with his epic court-martial as Yellowjacket in an early 80s reprint of the Avengers.

The two reprints, along with the filler story are superb. I really enjoyed the ending. There’s also a Official Marvel Handbook entry on the life of Janet Van Dyne. Though it’s very extensive, there’s some omissions that I wish were explained further. For instance, her bio sheet lists her as once being known as Doctor Spectrum and the Invisible Woman. I wanted to know how she took up those monikers, but the author doesn’t touch those subjects.

Lastly, it’s said Janet wore about 200 different outfits in her illustrious career and the book closes with a 3-page spread that tries to capture everyone of those costumes.

Great work, Marvel!

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.