Essential Avengers, Vol. 3

Volume 3 of Essential Avengers sees yet more roster changes. BIG SHOCK there. The King of Wakanda and the android Vision joins the ranks of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. With that last inclusion, that also means we're introduced to the robotic menace: Ultron!

This volume covers issues that first debuted from 1968-70. I knew that the Vision makes his debut during this period of time. But I thought we were at least 5 years, maybe more, away from Ultron coming into being. So having him pop up was a real surprise. Too bad that Ultron is probably my least favorite Marvel villain of all-time. Here's a character perfectly designed to destroy humanity and yet, Ultron always loses- seemingly destroyed. But no! Ultron keeps coming back in a new, bigger and badder upgraded body. Why won't he just die?! 

The addition of T'Challa adds a touch of royalty along with a heavy hitter to the ranks of the Avengers. Why the Black Panther doesn't use his political clout more during this time period is beyond me. Instead, T'Challa takes on the secret identity of Luke Charles, a inner city school teacher. Towards the end of this volume, we do experience the struggles of the Civil Rights movement through the Panther's eyes when those slimy racist goons of the Serpent Society rear their ugly heads back onto the seen. They're not as scary as the original version of the group seen in the previous volume. Still, it doesn't make their message of hatred and bigotry any less palatable. Beating DC Comics to the punch with relevant comics by almost a full year, I don't know if making the Black Panther the champion of the battle of inner city racism and inequality was Roy Thomas' idea or that of editor Stan Lee. Whomever it was, they were visionaries whose contribution should never be erased from bookshelves!

Another major character undergoes a change; although their metamorphosis is less internal and very much overt! Clint Barton hangs up his purple tights and arrows and takes on Dr. Henry Pym's mantle of Goliath, the giant Avenger. No, Hank hasn't retired from superheroing. But now a married man and operating as the schizophrenic superhero Yellow Jacket, Pym doesn't have time for seeing the sites of the Big Apple from 20 feet in height. After the death of his brother, Barton needs a change. Losing the love of his life, the Black Widow, to her career as a SHIELD operative may have something to do with the change in identity...

Compared to the last volume, there's a lot more of original members Thor and Iron Man as well as Captain America in this book. They're all still on reserve status. But it's nice to see them in action when things look their bleakest like in the alternate reality thriller of Avengers, Annual #2 in which the original Avengers killed off all of the other heroes in order to usher in a Golden Age of Peace and tranquility under the benevolence of the Scarlet Centurion. 

It seems that with the loss of new recruits balanced with the assistance of the Big Three, the more things change for the Avengers, the more things stay the same.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Vision and the Scarlet Witch #12

The second, and so far final, miniseries starring the android Vision and the mutant Scarlet Witch, comes to a close. Wanda finally gives birth to her miracle child. But there's a twist! It's twins!

It's a total family affair in this extra-large finale. Vision's spiritual brother Simon Williams- AKA Wonder Man, is on hand for the joyous occasion. So is recently resurrected from the dead evil brother, the Grim Reaper. Plus, there's the zombified body of the real Simon Williams, who for some reason is decked out like Rambo with the arsenal to boot! Oh, and we can't forget grandpa Magneto, who was recently revealed to be the real father of the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. 

There's essentially 2 stories going on here. Vision is with Wanda, whose delivery has taken some tricky turns. Meanwhile, on the streets below, Wonder Man and Magneto have teamed up to stop the Grim Reaper and the Simon Williams zombie, who are trying to enter the hospital to kill the expectant parents. 

This issue has got to be the most underrated or understated appearance of Doctor Strange in a comic book. The Scarlet Witch chose him to be her OB-GYN. There's not a single act of magic conducted by the Sorcerer Supreme. Unless you consider delivering twins to be magical. Otherwise, the presence of Stephen Strange just seems unnecessary here. 

Though this issue doesn't take place on Mother's Day, I feel like the holiday theme was at play here. Wanda does give birth in the month of May. And you can't get much more motherly than giving birth. So I guess this issue counts as a Mother's Day issue. Though probably only by technicality.

This was an enjoyable series. Having the holiday themed issues, which except for the Thanksgiving issue, was unexpected by me, was a delight. Steve Englehart crafted a fun maxi-series and having completed it now makes me want to watch WandaVision. Sadly, I know the truth about Wanda's children and I am more than aware of the tragedies that befall the Marvel Universe as a part of that eventual revelation. Avengers: Disassembled and House of M both have their origins here. Required Marvel reading. I just wish things would have ended positively for the starred married couple.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Vision and the Scarlet Witch #11

The holiday theme returns in this penultimate issue of Vision and the Scarlet Witch. Okay- is Tax Day really a holiday? I guess so. It's just not one that anyone who isn't a politician or IRS auditor enjoys. 

It's April 15th and Peter Parker has got one heck of a tax bill. In order to pay it off, he takes a magazine gig photographing the beautiful new home of the Vision and Scarlet Witch. Wanda is just days away from giving birth and has been placed on bed rest. So it's up to the Vision to take Peter around the home which has been targeted once again by the dastardly Toad! Enter your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man wearing his iconic black costume to help the former Avenger protect his wife and unborn child from the clutches of the evil mutant lackey.

Hey! Where'd that Parker kid run off to?

The Toad's contribution to this series comes to an end with this issue. Vision has been keeping the Toad's obsession with the Scarlet Witch quiet in order to not stress the expectant mommy out. With this latest round, there's nothing the android hubby can do to keep Wanda out of this affair. Man, does the Toad get really petty when he comes across the very, VERY pregnant Scarlet Witch. To the point he's sickened by her large size and the Toad has never been what you'd consider a looker. In return, high on hormones and motherly instinct, Wanda Maximoff really lets the Toad have it laying on insults that should have killed the mutant by the sheer tones of her rejection. 

Don't mess with Mama!

By the way, a comic book being set during Tax Day isn't quite as unusual as you might think. In fact, I've got a Tax Day holiday issue in my collection starring Tick and Arthur. So I guess you can count April 15th as a holiday but again, why would you???

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10

Vision and the Scarlet Witch #10

The holiday theme is scrapped for some high tension drama on the moon with Quicksilver and the Inhumans.

Pietro's wife Crystal has been carrying on an affair with Norman Webster, the realtor who sold Vision and the Scarlet Witch their home. As pollution has made the air on Earth deadly to Inhumans, Crystal has been taking a powerful medicine in order to make her carnal dalliances. But something during this liaison went wrong and Crystal fell into a coma.

Angered by his wife's betrayal, Quicksilver gathers his militia men to enact his revenge against Norman who happens to be in the Inhumans' lunar compound. He was with Crystal when she collapsed and called emergency services. Things go from bad to extremely worse with King Blackbolt banishing Pietro from his kingdom and the mutant speedster running amok on the moon in a huge tantrum!

A child of divorce, I'm on Quicksilver's side. I hate infidelity. I understand Pietro getting pissed. Though I do think it's extreme to use the entire might of the Inhuman military force to kill the guy who is boinking your wife. Those sorts of crimes of passion should be a mano a mano sort of affair. 

I understand that there's not really a March holiday that covers family issues. Being part Irish, maybe it's safe to say that the whole Crystal and Pietro drama is suited for St. Patty's Day. It's definitely a stereotype that I wouldn't make if I wasn't a partial descendant of the Emerald Isle or if it just wasn't true. Lord knows my family, both the European and Native American sides were pieces of work on par with the domestic squabbles in this book.

I know that I'm making light of things. But the subject matter really hit home. I hope Pietro and Crystal can work things out. But further research on the Marvel Wiki reveals that won't be the case. And there's a child involved. Fiction comic book or not, divorce is not an easy subject for me.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Vision and the Scarlet Witch #9

This issue is a team-up. But not of superheroes. It's a joining of 2 holidays! The main holiday event is Mardi Gras, which in itself is a rarity in comics. I don't have such an issue in my collection and I can't even recall a single Mardi Gras special ever being published. Vision and Wanda's new neighbors, the professional magician duo of Illusion and Glamour, have invited the former Avengers to accompany them to the Big Easy where they are scheduled to perform during the Fat Tuesday festivities. This vacation doubles for the expectant parents as a pre-baby romantic getaway as Valentine's Day is happening at the same time as Mardi Gras. 

As for Valentines Day set comics, they're rarer than a Halloween or Christmas special. But compared to Mardi Gras books, I've got a glut of them in my collection.

While Vision and the Scarlet Witch enjoy the oddities of Mardi Gras, it's revealed that Illusion and Glamour are not just traveling magicians, but super-powered cat burglars who fund their luxurious lifestyle with thefts planned around their touring schedule. They're in New Orleans in hopes of pulling a heist involving a valuable jewel.

Also with their eyes set on the jewel is the Norse villainess, the Enchantress. She somehow manages to pull the Vision under her thrall with the task of stealing the jewel for her. Now why the Enchantress couldn't steal the bauble herself, what with her Asgardian powers is about as beyond me as to how can an android man become the love slave of the Enchantress? She mentions something about pheromones influencing the Vision and well, how can androids be influenced by human chemical compounds when they also comment in this book how they don't need to eat or drink? Well, both head scratchers do occur in this book and by stories end, there's a scene where Vizh in in between both his wife and new love and the two ladies are becoming at him like a pair of masters trying to prove who is the true owner of a stray dog. 

The main story had some implausibles. Really, the addition of the Enchantress to this double holiday themed story was unnecessary based on how she could just steal the jewel herself. This plot issue is irregardless of the fact that her powers of seduction are useless over the female owner of the stone. Are you telling me that Enchantress lacks the ability to magically break into a safe?

I thought the revelation that Illusion and Glamour are traveling thieves under the guise of famous show biz magicians was the best part of this book. I wonder how this reveal is gonna be handled through the last 4 issues of this miniseries. Will it even be addressed? I'm really interested in learning more about these 2 characters because thing just got interesting!!!

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Vision and the Scarlet Witch #7

So I take a little over a month off from reading the second Vision and the Scarlet Witch miniseries, to read a bunch of Christmas themed comic books to come back and read a Christmas themed issue!

I shouldn't have been surprised. Just about every issue is set during a holiday. The last issue was Thanksgiving. The month before that was Halloween. 

In this issue, we learn that the Inhuman Crystal has been spending a lot of time on Earth. It's been under the guise of helping Wanda get ready for the birth of her miracle baby. Only, Crystal has been going off on her own, conducting an affair with a human behind the back of her husband, the mutant Quicksilver.

Meanwhile, Vision has been following up on the robotic attack by the Toad's version of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants from the last issue. Vision catches up with the evil mutant lackey who has recently become powerful thanks to a raid on the armory of the Stranger. Toad has long pined after the Scarlet Witch when she and her brother were unwilling members of Magneto's band of villains. Now that he's got some fire power, Toad wishes to finally make Wanda Maximoff his bride. But first, Toad has to kill Wanda's husband and the Vision is not about to go quietly!

A good chapter that has some decent fight scenes while the Scarlet Witch enjoys Christmas, aloof of the battle between her husband and Toad. I could have done without the soap opera theatrics of Crystal cheating on Pietro. It's been a long time coming as Quicksilver has been more devoted to training the Inhumans' militia than being a doting husband and father. Still it's an element of this book I could have done without.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars. 

Vision and the Scarlet Witch #6

This is the issue I've been hinting at since I began reading the Vision and Scarlet Witch minis. I was originally going to read these comics earlier in the year as part of my annual reading challenge. I think I needed to read an Avengers book or something like that. When I was looking things over, I discovered that this issue was set during Thanksgiving. As I don't have very many books set during Turkey Day, I decided to hold off on reading these until November. Imagine my surprise as two issues have been set during Halloween. It's been an unexpected holiday extravaganza!

So what is this issue about? Wanda and her husband decide to host Thanksgiving at their new house. Members of the Avengers, Wanda's physician Doctor Strange, brother Pietro and family and friends are all invited. That includes papa Magneto. The former villain is treated to a chilly reception as Magneto has burned a lot of bridges. This leads Magneto to leave early. Only he doubles back when he discovers that a group of foes are hiding in the former Avengers' back yard awaiting to strike. It's the original lineup of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. But wait, how can there be 2 Magnetos and 2 Quicksilvers?!

This holiday set story was worth the wait. I knew with this being a superhero story that this wasn't going to be a total love feast. I knew that there was going to be some action and excitement. But there was enough turkey and trimmings to make this story festive enough for my liking.

Plus somebody must really like me because I learned at the end of this tale that issue #7 is set during Christmas!  It's a holiday miracle! I normally wait until the day after Thanksgiving to start reading Christmas comics. But as this issue ends on a cliffhanger, I'm gonna treat myself with an early Christmas present and read the follow up early.

You don't have to read the 9 previous issues that lead up to this giving of thanks. But it helps. I understand why this book is consistently included in lists of the best Thanksgiving comics of all-time and it's not because of how few Turkey Day reads there are in comicdom.

A true classic!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Vision and the Scarlet Witch #5

At the end of the last issue, I saw that this story was going to be set at Halloween! And I actually cheered! Yes, I like to read my holiday themed comics during the season in which the action takes place. But as the next issue is why I waited until now to read the two Vision and the Scarlet Witch minis, I decided to just enjoy the ride!

In this issue, it's Halloween night and Wanda is about to perform a ritual in order to communicate with her deceased mentor, Agatha Harkness. However, as Wanda's powers are currently tied-up with producing a miracle baby from her mutant DNA and Vision's synthetic material, the expelling of magic opens the Scarlet Witch up to attack from those who wish to siphon her powers- from beyond the grave!

Meanwhile, Vision, who has left Wanda at home to conduct her seance, enjoys a night out on the town. He's the special guest of his new friends Glamour and Illusion, who are putting on a special Halloween magic show. During the presentation, Vision experiences what can only be a disturbance in the Force. Agatha Harkness makes contact with the former Avenger, warning him of supernatural threats to Wanda and her unborn child. For a once thought vanquished foe from Wanda and Vision's earliest days on Leonia, New Jersey seeks to make the child a new vessel of their evil in hopes of once again conquering the earth.

If you're a regular reader of my blog, which is also my reading journal, then you'll know that while I like stories about the supernatural, I have a limitation on how much magic and arcane spirits a story can have. This Halloween issue almost crossed that line. Not a fan of seances or making contacts with the dead. Demons are definitely not my thing. I hate things that are possessed. I think if the Scarlet Witch hadn't defeated the foe when she had, I might have had to throw this book away. 

The story and art have quality. It's the quantity of the contents that put me off. I enjoyed the holiday themed and the parts with the Vision were quite good. It was just a bit too occultish for my taste.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Vision and the Scarlet Witch #4

After a hoo-hum issue, Steve Englehart redeems himself with this story about prejudice and greed.

In between the last issue of the first miniseries and issue #1 of this maxi-series, Vision and the Scarlet Witch saw their dream home being burned down by townsfolk who didn't want muties or heroes living in their quiet little burg. Despite the loss, Wanda and Vizh aren't done with Leonia, New Jersey just yet and they've bought another home.

Feeling like the former Avengers haven't gotten the message yet, those same citizens plan another assault on Vision and his wife. Thankfully, the couple have a pair of guardian angels who are secretly super-powered mutants as well. Living in Leonia as a husband/wife magician act known as Glamour and Illusion, one can manipulate matter while the other can become intangible. Pretty good abilities for a pair of illusionists and the newest members of the Vision and Scarlet Witch family.

Actually, scratch that. The newest member of the title family is Wanda's fetus in which Doctor Strange has just confirmed that the Scarlet Witch is pregnant! 

A much, much better issue that introduces a pair of new characters that I like. Plus, a bunch of bigots get a comeuppance in some spectacular ways that only a mutant with magical hex would be able to pull off. Plus an appearance by Doctor Strange.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Vision and the Scarlet Witch #3

A character from the Marvel Universe dies in this issue. I wouldn't say that it's a major character. More on par with maybe your Wyatt Wingfoot or Foggy Nelson. More powerful than a Dum Dum Dugan or Sharon Carter, but not as steeped in Marvel lore. Though I will say that this is a major character in the Scarlet Witch back story. 

Anyways, this character's grandchildren aren't satisfied with the magic they have absorbed from their relative. Now they're after Wanda for her powers too. 

I wasn't a big fan of this issue. There's a lot of talking and yet with it, nobody says anything. It's like Steve Englehart tried to be Shakespeare. Only this is no Macbeth or any other of Shakespeare's plays that had witches and magic in it. 

I could have done without this issue. Other than Vision and Scarlet Witch deciding to have a baby (thanks to the use of magic), it all just felt unnecessary. I mean I don't even see a reason for that character to have died. If Marvel was needing an excuse to make this a 12-issue maxi-series, they found a sure way to milk a cash cow. 

Not Worth Consuming!

Rating: 3 out of 10 stars.

Vision and the Scarlet Witch #2

In West Coast Avengers #2, Ultron kidnapped his 'father', Dr. Hank Pym. Then as the Scarlet Witch joined up with the Avengers of the Pacific in their quinjet, Ultron unleashed an assault on the plane and it's going down!

Now in Vision and the Scarlet Witch #2, as the plane is crashing, Hawkeye is contacted by his wife, Mockingbird who has been away from the team, assisting SHIELD in a mission. This is fortuitous because when Grim Reaper's minions kidnap the crash's survivors, it's Mockingbird who saves the day.

Look, this book is over 30 years old. If you haven't read it now, you're probably not going to read it later. Although, if you're wanting to read the inspirations behind Disney+'s WandaVision, maybe you will read this book. Don't worry, I've not really spoiled anything. If anything, the big revelations that could spoil this issue involve Vision, Wonder Man and Grim Reaper. Let's just say that what transpires explains a lot of the villain's motives and why Simon Williams went from being Baron Zemo's lackey to an Avenger. However, I think in the past 30 years of Avengers stories, what happens to the trio has been retconned and distorted to the point that any spoiler I were to reveal wouldn't have any long-term repercussions to your knowledge of this corner of the Marvel universe.

A bit of a mess. Steve Englehart does manage to keep me from being lost in the material that was covered in the West Coast Avengers issue I've not read. Nor own. A lot of the action on the Quinjet seemed unnecessary. It's almost like Englehart needed to add that scene as filler in order for this issue of Vision and the Scarlet Witch to meet minimum page count requirements.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Vision and the Scarlet Witch #4

The first miniseries to star Vision and the Scarlet Witch comes to a close on the lunar sanctuary of the Inhumans. Vision's mind has been restored after the events that took place in issue #2, thanks to fellow hero, Wonder Man. Now the former Avenger needs to have his arm replaced and Attilan has the advanced technology to do it.

The biggest impact this issue has to the Marvel universe doesn't even involve Vision. In this issue, Wanda and her brother Pietro learn the identity of their real father. That's right issue #4 is the one that confirms Magneto is the biological father of Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch!

A key issue for fans of the Maximoffs or Magneto. Maybe also for fans of the Inhumans as Magneto meets his grandchild, the son of Quicksilver and Crystal. But if you are hoping for a lot of the Vision in this book, he's a secondary player in his own miniseries closure at best.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10. 

Vision and the Scarlet Witch #3

While an attack on the life of Nuklo resulted in the mutant being cured of his radioactivity, the results of last issue's battle have let the family of Wanda Maximoff and the Vision in tatters. Robert Frank, the Whizzer, is dead while Vision is left mangled, minus an arm and in a sort of coma. As the Vision's brain patterns were taken from that of Wonder Man, the Hollywood Avenger is called to the Big Apple to help restore the synthezoid hero's mind.

This was a trippy issue as the majority of the story takes place in the mind of the Vision. The level of action is upped by the addition of the Grim Reaper who blames both Viz and Wonder Man for the death of Simon Williams, which confuses me because I thought Wonder Man was Simon Williams. Internally, both Vision and Wonder Man must battle Ultron, as a small part of the Vision's creator still lingers in the Avenger's brain and has been trying to kill him ever since the hero rejected the influence of his creator!

I've figured out the theme of this miniseries. It's family and its many facets on people. Family sometimes is who you are born into. Other times, family is who you care about the most. It's that latter version of family that is sometimes the closest and the most meaniful. 

Being that so much of this story is based on symbolism and the exploration of the deepest recesses of the psyche, this is the kind of tale that my wife would be a fan of. As for me, it's just a little too metaphysical. Not the worst story. Just not my taste.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

The Vision, Volume 2: Little Better Than a Beast

Things go from bad to worse in the exciting conclusion of 2016's The Vision. Tom King- that guy, I am starting to think he could write the phone book and I would be captivated by it. The Batman/ Elmer Fudd Special writer is just amazing at his craft. I know in the early 2010s, King was getting a lot of flak for writing that was considered uneven and just so far in outfield, that if he was a center-fielder, he be playing in the parking lot across the street. But over these past few months, I'm really warming to his style and thinking most of the hate is by online trolls who wouldn't know good writing from a kids menu at a retirement home.

This volume of the Vision gets as down and dirty as the closing chapter of volume 1 promised. But I love the Nick Fury-esque ending in which a little manipulation of the truth leads to a happy ending, but the uneasiness still lingers. While this series of the vision is complete, the ending gives hope of a second chapter. Though, I am can't imagine how you'd top the second half of this killer series.

The art is second to none. Artist Michael Walsh does such a tremendous job drawing the android Vision family with both a body of cold, hard electronics and a dash of the human spirit. Walsh's talents help make this one of the best Pinocchio-type stories of inorganic being wishing to become real ever created.

This is a series that should not be overlooked!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Vision, Volume 1: Little Worse Than A Man

 

  The android hero the Vision constructs a robot family in order to better understand humanity. Taking a position as the Avengers' liaison to the President, Vision moves his cybernetic wife and children to Alexandria, Virginia. The Avengers enrolls his kids into a top-notch high school and helps his new bride find employment; all in hopes of discovering the American dream. But when a villain from his 'family's' past makes an unscheduled house warming visit, the Vision will learn that life in the suburbs is a complete nightmare.

     I had heard nothing but praise to this 2016 Tom King series. But finding it for cheap if even at all was harder than you might expect. Most comic shops in my area where either sold out or selling the first issue for some crazy prices. I wasn't about to shell out $15-30 bucks for it. So I waited. Wouldn't you know when I finally find the first issue for cheap, I also find this volume for free at my local library!

     This book is creepy. There's something serious wrong with the Vision's wife, Virginia. Plus, the whole dynamic of an android family trying to fit into modern day life is pretty awkward. Don't get me wrong- I liked this book. It's just really eerie- like Stepford Wives eerie. 

     One problem I have with this book is the Vision's desire to understand what human life in suburbia is all about. Wasn't that the premise of the Vision/ Scarlet Witch miniseries in the 80s? Or is that more of an allegory about mixed marriage? 

      Regardless, I feel like the Vision trying to create life in order to better understand his surroundings has been done to death. Ultron created Vision. So technically, that's different. Yet, I tend to lump that whole dynamic in together. That's why I feel like I have a little fatigue when if comes to this type of storyline from the House of Ideas.

     There's at least one more volume to this series. I managed to get my grubby little hands on it the other day and can't wait to read it. The story is really quite enjoyable. I just feel that the plot has been worn out so much that tiny little holes are starting to appear.
  
   Worth Consuming!

     Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Avengers Assemble, Volume 2: Science Bros (Marvel NOW!)

A friendly wager between Tony Stark and Bruce Banner takes the heroes on a global race against time to locate and rescue a missing scientist with Captains Marvel and America playing the role of referees. But this competition is no longer fun and games when the Avengers come face to face with a bio- terrorist whose kinda a big deal. Well, at least in HIS mind…

  Then the Black Widow's past comes back to haunt her when she is summoned by the widow of one of her hits requests that she find her missing daughter. Widow's search joined by Hawkeye and Spider-Woman will lead them to a mysterious sewer lair where the laws of nature have been horribly perverted.

  Quests seem to be the theme of this volume as the final story involves a newly reconstructed Vision who is struggling with his role in a world that passed him by after being disassembled by his ex-wife, the Scarlet Witch. His latest mission is to locate a corporate hero who has recently learned that he's outlived his usefulness to the execs at Roxxon. As the Vision sees how discarded this fellow hero is, it causes the Avenger to reevaluate his own position on a team that he no longer recognizes.

   Avengers Assemble starts off with the humor and fun banter that won me over as an Avengers fan. After some pretty heavy plots involving the end of the universe and numerous betrayals, it’s great to finally get some laughs. It just seemed weird to up and forget these horrors that had yet to come to a definite conclusion. It was also a little confusing but I got over it and enjoyed the stories regardless. I figured they'll get back to those crises eventually.

Well…

  See this book is actually a series I haven't gotten into yet. Since Marvel has this unfortunate habit of canceling titles and renumbering them all under the Marvel NOW! Imprint, I accidentally skipped volume 1. Plus, now Marvel has started to carry over different series into the trades instead of issuing them as separate works making for even more confusion. (For example, All-New Hawkeye #1-6 were collected as Hawkeye Volume 5 instead of ANH Volume 1.) So just what exactly did I read?

Avengers Assemble is a series from 2012 meant to reflect the cinematic version of the team. To be a starting point for new readers is all well and good, but Spider- Woman, Captain Marvel, and the Vision don't even appear in the first Avengers movie. But these characters do play heavily into the plots of the 2014 Avengers series that I thought this book was a continuation of. Geez… no wonder I was confused.

  Still, this wasn't a bad read and I'm more than willing to give volume 1 a go. But come on Marvel- get with it. You're giving my wish list fits with your convoluted numbering!

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Mystic Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1

This issue introduced me to yet another Timely character that I had never heard of. Well, actually, I have heard of the Vision, but brother, this isn’t the Vision I grew up with in issues of the Avengers. This Vision is an other-dimensional alien who can enter this world through smoke and flame. He’s powered by those very elements and often appears to his victims but is invisible to the naked eye of other observers. So when a baddie has a grisly demise, it looks like a suicide.

This vigilante hero is very gritty. His modern story was pretty gruesome with visions of rape, mutilations, and gore. I had to remember half way through this story that this is the modern tale, and not the 1940s version. But the 40s story was just about as violent.

I actually liked this issue. It’s definitely not for kids under age 13 though. It’s like Rob Zombie and Quentin Tarantino got together and created a noir supernatural comic book. Very unusual stuff. But who ever said unusual was a bad thing.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

MARVEL FANFARE #48

3 stories- all devoted to She-Hulk. Well, that was the original plan. It seems that John Bryne backed out of penning what was to be the 3rd tale of this all Jennifer “She-Hulk” Waters tribute. So, in order to keep with a theme, editor Al Milgrom commissioned a tale starring fellow Avenger the Vision. (The theme is now supposed to be green super-heroes as the Vision is partially green, but it’s a stretch.)

The She-Hulk tales and subsequent pin-ups are visually stunning and very good stories.

The Vision’s involves a man suffering PTSD and Vision’s attempts to cure him. Let’s just say without revealing spoilers that if Vision tried what he does on a real human, that person would be dead. Good Grief- next time, let’s just kill the guys entire family why don’t we. Really, what were the writer and editor thinking?

2/3 of the issue is great. The last third is a stinker.

Worth Consuming/ Worth Consuming/ Not Worth Consuming.

  Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Fanfare #32

Part 2 of the Captain America/ Yellow Claw story finishes with an explosive finale. When it’s up to a guy named Leapfrog to save you, you’d better have some good contingency plans. Just wait till you see the calvary assembled to come to Capt’s rescue.

The backup feature is a little preachy when Vision of the Avengers decides to avenge a homeless woman murdered in cold blood. It’s a rather touching tale, but it’s also a story with a moral and a view on how to help America’s homeless problem.

Both feature really good storytelling and art.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Marvel Fanfare #14

   It's the Avenger Vision vs. the Fantastic Four as the android hero is manipulated into believing the quartet is hurting the love of his life, Wanda Maximoff. The story goes from fantasy to reality pretty quick with multiple shifts in the Vision’s perception filter. It makes for a hard read with some very conveinent plot devices. I’ve read better.

The second feature has Quicksilver as he learns of another type of mutant prejudice when accused of theft amongst his in-laws, the Inhumans. This story, along with the art is much better. Plus, I like the irony that a race of people subject to prejudice (the Inhumans) are more than willing to dish it out on someone different from themselves. Marvel does such a great job being preachy without being too in your face. That parable is this issues saving grace and prevents it from not being worth consuming.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.