What If? Dark Avengers

I really think What If?, the alternate reality series from Marvel Comics, works better the more you're familiar with the subject content. There are 6 issues reprinted in this collection. Of those 6, the stories I liked the most was a switcheroo in which Tony Stark becomes the roommate of the dreaded Victor Von Doom instead of Reed Richards and a bloody romp in which Deadpool becomes the host of the symbiote Venom. Stories involving Spider-Man succumbing to some weird spider curse and Norman Osborn's reign of terror that comes about with the leader of SWORD conquering Asgard were my least favorite stories because I haven't read Grim Hunt or Reign. (Okay- who am I kidding, the Spider-Man: Grim Hunt one-shot was hot garbage.)

The remaining 2 stories were fair reads. Mostly because I am quite familiar with the characters and have a passing knowledge of the original stories. Wolverine: Father explores what would happen if Logan raised his illegitimate son Daken. This wasn't a story based on an established story. Instead, this truly was a What If? story that explores the conflict of nature vs. nurture. Tale #6 has Hawkeye succeeding in killing Norman Osborn preventing the madman from taking over the super-spy agency SHIELD and preventing the Dark Reign of super heroes from happening. This story was a thrilling manhunt as the superheroing world has to undo the damage Clint Barton caused and that means having to take down one of their own!

I want to own all of the What If? stories. But cost is something that is keeping me from owning some of those stories as individual first run issues. Thank goodness for collections such as these. That Deadpool/Venom issue is not cheap. I think the most affordable copies I have seen are being listed for $200 each. I got this traced paperback used for less than $10. I'll take affordability over authenticity any day!

This volume reprints what is considered the 200th overall What If issue printed over the Marvel properties vast print runs since it first debuted in 1977. That anniversary issue has a bunch of cool extras like a story that ponders what if the Watcher killed Galactus?, a reprint of a Daredevil story from the first series and overview of all 200 issues published from 1977-2011 (when this collection was first print). That database was actually a big help with some missing gaps in my collection.

I would assume that the quality of 5 of the 6 stories was really good. I just wasn't familiar with everything in order to get the most enjoyment of this read. That's okay. I saved a ton of cash on that Deadpool story. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Team-Up #127

It appears that it's going to be a nice, quiet Christmas for Peter Parker. That is until he's visited by Uatu The Watcher! Now, Spider-Man must race the clock to save a young woman whose managed to get in way over her head.

THIS IS THE TYPE OF CHRISTMAS SPECIAL I WANT! 

Last night, I reviewed DC's latest holiday offering. It was far from superior. Here's a book from 1983 and it blows Tis The Season To Be Freezin' out of the water- even with the Paul Dini penned Batman story included. 

There was so much talent involved in this book. JM DeMatteis (Justice League) wrote the story. Al Milgrom (Marvel Fanfare) illustrated the cover along with Ed Hannigan. Glynis Wein was the colorist. And my Candy Crush buddy, Tom DeFalco, was the editor. Oh- and don't forget! The Editor-In-Chief was Giant Jim Shooter! 

Man, this was a great line-up!

When it came to it's portrayal of social norms; the book was far from perfect. Sure, there were drugs, domestic violence and other types of debauchery. But this story entertained. And it had a happy ending. I'd rather have comics that are flawed (and maybe a pinch outdated) compared to the guilt-tripping modern drivel that is disguised as a Christmas comic. Holiday books are all about the feels and this special issue of Marvel Team-Up is a feel good treat!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #17

A new X-Man headlines this anthology series. Team leader Cyclops heads to Muir island to visit Moira McTaggert and Banshee. While at the research station Cyclops observes Moira in a sort of trance. Clearly, something odd is afoot.

But the story that really got my attention stars Uatu the Watcher. It's a holiday set story that has The Watcher waxing poetic with an allegory of the Nativity story. Only it's set with aliens. Okay- this story was a little goofy. But I don't care. It's an unexpected Christmas tale from the house of ideas!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

What If...Annihilation (...Reached Earth?)

   Maybe this should have been part of my Annihilation Week event, but, to be honest, I didn't even remember I had this until a couple of days ago. In this alternate earth tale, Annihilus and his Annihilation Wave reach our planet because Drax failed in freeing Galactus and the Silver Surfer from his clutches.

    The invasion fleet arrives during the events of Civil War right when it appears that Captain America is about to kill Tony Stark. So when a giant bug crashes into the Empire State Building, the two opposing forces must put aside their past differences and fight together with Nova to save the planet and the rest of the universe from total destruction.

    Featuring a cast of hundreds (many of which die a gruesome death being swarmed by massively huge bugs), the real stars of this 'What If...' one-shot are the Inhumans and the Watcher, two players that don't even factor into either Annihilation or Civil War.

    The art was amazing and stunning. The story itself was just as good if not in some ways a little better than the last couple of issues of the actual Annihilation miniseries. About the only part of this book I didn't enjoy was the last couple of pages which seems to leave the story tragically open-ended. However, knowing Marvel's history of turning stories from 'What If...' into Universe-616 canon, I would be pleasantly surprised if someone one day turned XXXXXXXXXX into the next Nova. It would make for an exciting new story or even series.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out 10 stars