Marvel Comics Presents #91

The main highlight of this series is a team-up between Daredevil and the Impossible Man! It's an 8-page single issue romp. But 8 pages is enough for once. 

The Impossible Man has been either forbidden from or gotten bored with his interactions with the Fantastic Four. That's not really made clear. In search of a new superhero to pal around, Impossible Man pals around Daredevil. Yes, he helps Daredevil fend off an assault from his old enemy, Kingpin. But since Daredevil is blind, he can't be impressed by Impossible Man's shape-shifting talents, it's back to the FF for the lone survivor of Poppup! Lucky them!

As for the other 3 stories, there's nothing really memorable. In the Wolverine story, Tyger Tiger enters negotiations with a rival crime lord. It's about as interesting as the trade embargo segments from that Republic Senate scene in The Phantom Menace. More of Hank McCoy's past is revealed. We know that Professor X erased the memory of an old girlfriend of The Beast's. We still don't find out the how and why. Then in the Ghost Rider/Cable story, the pair of unlikely allies join forces to save a young girl from a cult of undead killers. Mostly just action and adventure. But nothing really in terms of why this cult wants the girl yet.

An insane tale mixed into the middle of 3 stories that basically put the major players into place for what will hopefully be an action packed issue #92.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #89

We've got extensions of the Wolverine/Cyber story and The Beast's European adventure. But the stories that stick out in my mind the most are the pair of one-and-dones.

First up is the British World War II superhero Spitfire. She looks a whole heck of a lot like Firestar. Except for the blonde hair. Being as she made her first appearances in the pages of The Invaders in the late 70s, that's probably why for a very long time I thought Firestar was a mainstay in the Marvel Universe for as long as I did and not just a creation for the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends cartoon series.

Next up is a very fun yarn with Mojo! In need of ratings, Mojo and his production crew try to film the Mojoworld's next best thing. 8 pages was just not enough for this story. But I enjoyed every minute of this parody of home videos and the entertainment industry.

This issue was a jump back in the right direction. All 4 segments were enjoyable. But it was the 8-pager single stories that were the real winners.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #87

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

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

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

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

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

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

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #86

The newest tale that dives into the long and mysterious past of Wolverine continues to impress me. Cyber is a villain that terrifies Logan to his core. I love it!

This entire issue really impresses me, actually. 

The Firestar story really heats up as Angelica Jones plans an assault on the government facility that has captured her father. At the risk of her personal freedom at the hands of both the US government and Emma Frost's Hellfire Club. I'm loving the anti-hero dynamics of Freedom Force- the mutant version of Suicide Squad led by Mystique. I'm lamenting that this team never saw their own personal series or mini.

Hank McCoy becomes embroiled in an international incident during some sort of genetic symposium. We start to see parts of his past along with a developing subplot that will see The Beast becoming an ersatz secret agent. I'm excited about the prospects.

Lastly is another story starring the bounty hunter, Paladin. He takes an assignment to protect the owner of a minor league baseball whose life is threatened. But the assailant has a bomb and so Paladin must save the entire stadium. That is if his client ups his handling fee...

A flawless issue of MCP. A rarity in this series for sure.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars. 

Marvel Comics Presents #85

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #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.

Uncanny Origins #6

   

  Featuring everyone's favorite blue furred mutant, the Beast, this issue of Uncanny Origins is proof that you can do an overall general history of a character and be entertaining, engaging, and still be all encompassing in just 32 pages or so. Writer Michael Higgins (Big Hero 6), does an excellent job of covering just about every aspect of the Beast's life. From the nuclear accident that causes his father to pass on mutated genes to becoming a football star, to his days as an X-Man to Avenger and back again- everything you wanted to know about Hank McCoy is here- including his ever-mutating body image!

    Dave Hoover returns with his animated art style and every page is killer! I'm really starting to become a fan of his...

   Speaking of fandom, I must confess that Beast is probably my favorite of all the X-Men. Yet, when I list favorite characters of all-time, I always overlook him for Nightcrawler and Colossus and I can't put my finger as to why that is. Hank McCoy is smart, funny, daring, and visually when he's all blue and furry, one of the most eye appealing characters of all-time. This is the issue that will help you too fall in love with one of the founding members of the X-Men- even if some of the more glamorous and gritty mutants tend to overshadow him.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Indestructible Hulk, Volume 4: Humanity Bomb (Marvel NOW!)

 

    With the destruction of Attilan, the Inhumans' reserves of terrigen mist have been unleashed upon an unsuspecting populace. Anyone with even the slightest bit of Inhuman DNA is in danger of transforming into an unimaginable assortment of beasts, mutated humans, or even a super-powered hero like the Kamala Kahn Ms. Marvel. Leading the charge for a cure is Bruce Banner and his think tank of scientists at SHIELD. However, when it's revealed that Banner's cure is in the form of yet another bomb, the Avengers have visions of gamma disaster that created the Hulk. In other words, Iron Man, Beast, and Ant-Man typically act before they speak and massive carnage ensues.

   Unfortunately for one of Banner's team, the cure unlocks their latent Inhuman potential and is transformed into a ferocious monster that feeds on anger. How will the Hulk be able to stop the newest member of the Inhuman family when this new foe keeps siphoning away any trace of rage and continuously reverts the Hulk back into a human? For once, Bruce Banner will have to save the day!

   This volume marks the end of the Stan Lee/ Jack Kirby Hulk. Up next are the reality changing events of Secret Wars that reboots the original Marvel Universe in DC Comics Crisis fashion for the first time ever. Unfortunately, the ending left me really confused as the volume ends with a cliffhanger and the promise to be continued in Hulk #1!

   What Hulk #1 is it? Is it Totally Awesome Hulk which star wunderkind Amadeus Cho taking on the role of the Green Goliath? Or is the answers to the end of this series found in one of the many one-shots and miniseries that accompany the Secret Wars storyline? For the sake of spoilers, I've not been able to find out what happens next. (But, folks, if you know- please feel free to spill the beans. Because I have to know what happens next!)

   Another Marvel NOW! triumph by Mark Waid with a cool Bruce Banner/ Tony Stark team-up by Jeff Parker.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.