Uncanny Origins #14

 Here it is, the final issue of Uncanny Origins. The subject of this closing chapter is the martial artist Iron Fist. The hero might seem an odd choice to star in the last issue but at the time of this issue's publishing, Marvel had just come out with a new Heroes for Hire series in which Iron Fist was the star. Unfortunately, like Uncanny Origins, that series didn't last very long either with only 20 issues produced. 

   The Iron Fist featured in this issue is the 70s version of Danny Rand. Filled with anger over the murder of his father and later tragic death of his mother, young Danny sought vengeance when he was taken in by the kung-fu mastering monks of K'un-Lun. While I don't mind this version of Iron Fist, I must say that I prefer the more zen-like Danny Rand whose been occupying the Marvel Universe for the past 15 years. 

   This was a good issue with a flawless story and that's all because it's written by 70's comic master Len Wein who returns to character he co-created. The art by M.C. Wyman was quite good too and I liked his work on this series a lot more than Marc Campos whose style was very 90s and by that, I mean that the proportions were all wrong. But I would have liked to have Dave Hoover, this series first artist, back to do an animated style take on the kung-fu hero.

   Regardless of any of my nitpicking, this issue did something that is a mark of great comic book crafting in general- it got me interested in collecting and reading the 90s Heroes for Hire series as well as possibly delving into the original 70s series that later fused Iron Fist with Luke Cage, Powerman in one of the collect buddy cop comics of all-time. 
   
   Sweet Holy Christmas!

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #13

Daredevil is one of those characters that I didn't like at first. But after reading Mark Waid’s epic run on the Man Without Fear over the past couple of years, I've become a big fan. Why if I had Netflix, I'd be all over that show. And I must admit, I loved the Affleck Daredevil picture, though my admiration had more to do with the eye candy that is Jennifer Garner’s Electra more than anything else…

  This issue of Uncanny Origins uncovers the origin of Daredevil. Though to be honest, this is more Matt Murdock's story than a legend of the Hero of Hell's Kitchen. But that's more than OK with me. Bob Budiansky (Sleepwalker) does an excellent job crafting a tale that gives living props to Stan Lee and company. And the artwork by M.C. Wyman, a former artist on Daredevil was a great choice. He rendered all of those great Silver Age characters that comprised Matt's normal life: Battlin’ Jack Murdock, Foggy Nelson, and Karen Page.

   Oh, how I miss Karen Page. Such a sad story but man was she a ray of sunshine in the oft too tragic life of Daredevil.

   If you only could choose one issue of this series to read, I would recommend this one! It's that good and it's got that spirit of the original Marvel bullpen that's been missing for way too long.

 Worth Consuming.

 Rating: 10 out of 10 stars. Who am I kidding? This one goes to 11!

Uncanny Origins #12

I had said that I had decided to read this series to get pumped up for the upcoming Captain America: Civil War. Little did I know that I would be getting a primer for this November's Doctor Strange feature starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock.)

   With many of the silver age characters, I am pretty versed in their origins. (Thanks in very, very large part to the epic MARVEL SAGA series published from 1985-87.) The same goes for the Sorcerer Supreme. But there were some things that I didn't know, like the strained relationship between Stephen and his money hungry father and how it impacts the medical career of Doctor Strange. ( I had always wondered what made him so cold hearted towards his patients.)

  Another thing I had always questioned doesn't involve Stephen but his master, the Ancient One. I couldn't figure out why he would allow Baron Mordo to continue learning in the Ancient One’s Himalayan refuge if the teacher knew that his pupil was so evil. The strategy behind that decision is finally explored here and I was quite pleased with the answer.

   I really liked this issue. I had been on the fence about going to see Doctor Strange in theaters as he's not been my favorite character. I'm not very big on characters that deal with the occult. Monsters and Ghosts are one thing but witchcraft stories have to be more light-hearted like Shadowpact or Harry Potter. But I'll be there in theaters this fall thanks in very large part to the amazing story contained within this issue. The only thing missing is the awesome animated series style art of Dave Hoover that started off this series.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #11

  Up until the publication of this issue in 1997-98, there were 3 people to carry the mantle of the Black Knight in the Marvel Universe. The first was Percival from King Arthur's Court, who bore a sword forged by Merlin that could only be defeated by one that wielded this sword’s counterpart. (OK, stop right there! Why create a powerful tool only to give it an equally powerful way to stop it? Seems stupid to me. Or is this like Batman having some kryptonite to keep Superman in check?)

Anyways, centuries later, a curse was bonded to the sword in which if anyone kills with it, even accidentally, it turns the killer evil. A biologist named Nathan Garrett becomes possessed by the blade and becomes the villainous Black Knight. But Garrett's reign of terror is short-lived and he is killed.

  Enter Dane Whitman, nephew of Garrett. He discovers that his uncle was the Black Knight but he decides to go on the path of good. Tell that to the Avengers as they still think this is the evil version of the Black Knight and mayhem ensues when Dane tries to save them from Magneto and later Kang.

  This all seems pretty straight forward, right? Well somebody forgot to post the memo to issue writer Glenn Herdling, because this was the most convoluted story that I have read in a long time. This book has flashbacks, flash forwards and even a flashback hiccup (that's when you flashback to someone else who then has a flashback in their flashback. Confusing, ain't it?) Another issue is that because of this excessive jumping around in the Marvel timeline, some potholes are left wide open and seemingly forgotten. Only I didn't forget!  (This is also another one of those times where a bibliography would've come in handy, as I have little idea where most of this takes place and I'd like some closure!)

   Along with the plot, the art wasn't all that great either. Dane doesn't look the same one panel to the next. Proportions of characters were all wrong and it looked like someone was trying to copy Rob Liefeld a bit too much.

  This was such a disappointment. I really like the character of the Black Knight- good or bad. But they just don't do him justice. And that my friends is a true crime!

Not Worth Consuming.

Rating: 3 out of 10 stars.

   

Uncanny Origins #10

    Issue #10 gets catty with the origin of the Spider-Man anti-hero the Black Cat. After reading this issue, I've learned that her backstory is something that I had no idea of! Guess this is what happens when pretty much all you've read about Ms. Alicia Hardy is in the pages of Ultimate Spider-Man.

   This was an exciting story but it reads a little too much like the pages of Batman with Black Cat playing the role of Catwoman. Let's look at this a bit. Alicia Hardy learns that her father is a famous burglar. Wanting to follow in his footsteps, Hardy takes on the persona of Black Cat as she aims to become the world's greatest cat burglar. When she learns that her father is dying in prison, Alicia takes it upon herself to hook up with some of the Big Apple's worst in order to bust him out and allow him to die at home. 

   But in her way is Your Neighborhood's Friendly Spider-Man. He seeks to bring her down. She hopes to bag her a superhero. With romance in the wings, Spider-Man must choose whether to defeat her or assist her. 

   See, I told you this was basically Batman...

   Regardless, this was a good read. I enjoyed it but I really couldn't get over the similarities between Black Cat and Catwoman. But I would be willing to read more of the strange dynamic between Black Cat and Spidey. 

   Worth Consuming.

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

   

Uncanny Origins #9

   One thing very interesting about this issue is that it is revealed that Ororo and T’challa ( Black Panther) DID know each other as children. See I kinda thought this relationship was retconned prior to the two getting married in 2006. Knowing this bit of information has got me wanting to read their wedding story soon. (plus, I might have that story in trade form, so I need to check on that.) This leads me to one thing that not only this origins series is missing, but just about all of them are without- sources!

   How awesome would it be if, at the end of this book, the editors gave a list of important issues that these events were covered? This issue was written 9 years before the marriage of T’challa and Storm. So their first meeting had to occur somewhere.  I would appreciate a small checklist of issues or a suggested reading list in order to find that.

  (I know that in this day and age that I could find this info on my phone or laptop. But sometimes when you are binge reading, you don't want to stop and login for the material you're looking for. Call me lazy if you want- I think this is a great idea!)

Worth Consuming

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #8

   The most thrilling mutant of all stars in this issue of Uncanny Origins- the Swashbuckling Nightcrawler! As I've mentioned in earlier posts, Nightcrawler is one of my favorite X-Men. But the series that made me such a fan wasn't Claremont's epic run on the All-New X-Men but his Anglocentric series, Excalibur in which Nightcrawler and Kitty Pryde form a group across the pond when they think that their American teammates have died.

   But this origin story takes place decades for either team has formed with the mutant Mystique on the run from angry villagers who think her blue appearance and yellow eyes are signs that she is a demon. To save her skin, she dumps her baby boy into the river and takes the appearance of a preacher, claiming that he has killed the devil! Wow- mom of the year!

   The child turns out to be Nightcrawler, who in a page from Exodus, is found safely by a gypsy woman who adopts him as her son. Named Kurt, the young mutant grows up living every kid's dream as a member of the circus. This is actually a great thing for Nightcrawler as audiences think that his blue furred appearance is a costume and that his ability to teleport is the result of smoke and mirrors. 

   I really enjoyed this issue. It revealed a lot about the hero that I didn't know. It also boasts a very good story. For once, this series crafts an all-encompassing story that spans the years. But instead of just being a whirlwind barrage of facts. This was an actual epic that had a great plot and didn't skimp on the specifics or the small stuff. The guest creative team of Bill Rosemann and Marc Campos did a masterful job, though, in reality, I miss the art of Dave Hoover.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

   
   

Uncanny Origins #7

  The complicated relationship between Eddie Brock and the alien symbiote that turns him into Venom is explored in this issue. From Peter Parker first coming across the parasitic creature in the pages of Secret Wars to later bonding with disgraced reporter Brock after Parker rejects his alien 'suit' to the pair becoming a vigilante type anti-hero who seeks to destroy Spider-Man, all of Venom's history is explored right up to 1997. 

   So here's what confuses me- the cover states that this issue is 'the deadly debut of Spider-Man's Nastiest Nemesis.' Was that a typo? Poor editing? 

   At the point of this issue of Uncanny Origins being published, the Symbiote has been around for over a decade as well as the character of Eddie Brock. Their fusion into Venom occurred about 2 years afterwards. So, again, I ask, how is this the debut of Venom? 

   Oddly enough, I think this is why the issue was so gosh darn hard for me to find. It was the last issue I needed to complete my collection of this series and it cost me almost $10 (compared to spending only about a buck a pop for the rest.) Yes, Venom is a popular character but I think some fans mistakenly think this is the debut of the Spider-Man villain thanks to the cover blurb. 

   Well, folks, I am here to tell you that it's not.

   A good issue with more fantastic art by Dave Hoover. It's definitely worth reading and was worth the search, but it's not a key issue in regards to the character. So, make sure if you seek out this issue that you don't pay an arm and a leg.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 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.

Uncanny Origins #5

Madman Dig Cover!

     Issue #5 examines the ends and outs of the fateful day that Dr. Robert Bruce Banner was exposed to gamma rays and unleashed a Hulk upon the world. Like the last issue, this is more of a story of Hulk's first 24-hours on earth than a who's who in the Hulk mythos. Though I have read this story in the original form of Incredible Hulk #1 almost 100 times, the Uncanny Origins version of Hulk's origin does offer some things that I never knew (and always wondered about) like just how and why did Rick Jones end up on that bombing test range- especially if it's supposed to be on a secure army base!

   The last 2-3 pages give a very good general overview of the Hulk's life story after his first night. Though it's not explained why the Hulk goes from only coming out at night to whenever Dr. Banner gets agitated. Another thing completely glossed over it Hulk's part as a founding member of the Avengers. I know that this is the behemoth's solo story but his whole troubled history with Earth's Mightest Heroes is such an integral part of his history, I am surprised that the creative team doesn't even devote one little panel to it.

   Regardless of my small problems with this issue, it's a very good read. It's very well written by Glenn Greenberg (Dracula: Lord of the Undead) and the art was excellent. For the past 4 issues, Dave Hoover has done an exceptional job transforming the Marvel Universe to look more like the DC cartoon universe. X-Factor's Pablo Raimondi pencils this issue and to be honest, I couldn't really tell that this series had switched artists on me. 

   Killer cover by the way!

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
   

Uncanny Origins #4

Issue #4 stars one of the cosmic stars of the Marvel Universe. OK, Firelord is more of a third tier character, but that last sentence was a pretty good pun you must admit. I am actually at a loss as to why they chose Firelord as this issue's subject. With every issue thus far about mutant characters, I was convinced that Uncanny Origins was an X-men title.

  So why the sudden switch and focus on one of the heralds of Galactus?

  I didn't get my answer until the end of this book where there were a couple of full page tributes to writer/editor Mark Gruenwald, who died suddenly a few weeks before the publication of UC4. Gruenwald was tackling the editing job for this series when he past. As a tribute to him, they chose one of his favorite characters from his epic run on Thor in the 80s- that being Firelord.

  The previous issues have been more of a rough overview of the early life and times of that issue's focus. This issue was mostly an honest to god story, focusing on a cadet of the Nova Corps, named Kril. When his commanding officer is abducted by Galactus, the corpsman makes it his mission to save his superior and friend.

  Years will pass before human and force of nature finally meet. But to uncover the fate of his missing companion, Kril has to make the ultimate sacrifice, giving up his life as a human and becoming the next herald Galactus. Once the transformation is made, the new Firelord will finally get the answer he's long sought. Believe me when I say it's the ultimate twist of irony!

  This is the best issue of the bunch ( so far, of course…) and it's not because this issue doesn't focus on mutants either. The writing by James Felder is quite good. Plus Dave Hoover does another bang up job on the artwork. But I think what made this issue stand out was the dedication of the Marvel bullpen to put out a loving eulogy to their fallen friend Gruenwald in the form of a comic.

  Worth Consuming

  Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #3 (Family Comic Friday)

 

  The third issue of this 1996-97 series features yet another mutant! Big surprise there... 

   The star this time around is one Warren Worthington III- AKA the Angel. Though at the time of this issue's publication, Warren's going around as Archangel, a sort of Angel 2.0, after he is upgraded by the villain Apocalypse. 

   There was lots of new and exciting stuff included in this origin story, including Warren's time as the Avenging Angel prior to becoming an X-Man, along with his first encounter with the group. Of the three issues I have read so far, this is the only one that features to some degree a character's early and later life history. 

   I'm sure that has a lot to do with Angel becoming Archangel as I mentioned prior. However, there was one problem I had with this story. It's explained how Warren's feathery wings were destroyed by fire. Despondent, the mutant hero goes to Apocalypse in an attempt to regain the ability to fly. The evil scientist bonds new metallic wings to Warren's body and the former X-Men became, albeit briefly, an enforcer for Apocalypse. 

   Yet, by the end of this issue, Archangel is again a good guy but while still genetically enhanced, he no longer has the metal wings. They are once more wings made of feathers. But it's never mentioned how Archangel underwent this change! If you are going to present us with a characters history and you make important changes such as the ability to regrow limbs- or wings- you've got to explain it; even if it's just a tiny thought balloon or caption. That's Good Writing 101!

   This series still amazes me with its Batman: The Animated Series style artwork. But there are still some kinks to be worked out in crafting an in-depth origin story that explains all of the vital facts needed to present a concise but accurate origin story. A true bargain bin hidden gem that is perfect for comics fans of all ages!

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #2

 

The second entry in this series focuses on the mutant speedster Quicksilver. From the revelations of his true parentage to life with the gypsy family that adopted him and his sister to life on the run with an eventual team up with the evil mutant Magneto, this comic is as much Quicksilver's story as it is his twin sister’s- the Scarlet Witch. Why Marvel didn't make the siblings the costars of this issue is beyond me, unless the powers that be, in 1996, didn't think they could sell an origins story about two people. Or even more, archaic, with a woman costar!

  This issue was very informative. I knew quite a bit about Quicksilver from reading the Marvel Saga and early issues of X-Men. But there were a few nagging mysteries about the mutant that I had wondered about for quite awhile. Some of the eternal questions that were finally answered here were things such as ‘why did the Golden Age hero, the Whizzer think for a while that he was Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch’s father?’ And ‘ what led to Quicksilver first becoming a baddie?’

   While most of the fastest man alive in the Marvel Universe’s early history is explored, his time with the Avengers and later the Inhumans is grossly ignored. Plus, his redemption from the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants is little more than a blurb at issue's end. I guess they ran out of book…

 A great second act that is at times a little uneven in giving a complete origin story of this issue's subject.

  Worth Consuming

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #1

Now that I have seen Batman V Superman, my anticipation for Captain America: Civil War is beginning to grow. So I decided to spend some time getting to know the members of the Marvel Universe a little better. My choice of reading is Uncanny Origins, a secret Origins type title from the mid-90s.

  Uncanny Origins started in 1996 and lasted about a dozen issues or so. Though not a very common series to find, I was able to get most of my full run in bargain books. I spent no more than a dollar a book, except for issue #7, starring Venom. For some reason, it lists for upwards of $10 and I had to take to eBay to finally securing one and completing my collection.

    This series was written as an all ages primer for mostly young readers though adults could enjoy this title as well. Uncanny Origins was part of Marvel's .99¢ line of books that included a Spider-Man series, at least two X-Men titles, and a reboot of Marvel Fanfare. With the exception of the last title, one of this book's most appealing quality was that the issues were drawn in the art deco style of DC’s Batman: The Animated Series.

   The first subject for the debut issue of Uncanny Origins is the story of Scott Summers, AKA Cyclops, the first X-Man. When aliens attack his family’s plane, Scott and little brother Alex are forced to bail out using only one parachute. This results in severe head injuries for the boys that will eventually impact their latent mutant abilities.

   Separation results in Alex getting a new forever home and lots of additional tragedy for Scott. One day on a trip to visit an eye specialist, Scott's mutant abilities manifest in him uncontrollably shooting laser beams from his eyes. With the FBI aware of a rogue mutant’s existence, Scott goes on the run but runs afoul of other mutants who seek to use the lad for their nefarious schemes. Thankfully there's a very powerful mutant on the side of good whose taken an interest in Scott's case. But can this mystery man get to the young mutant before it's too late?

  I liked this story very much. I had always had trouble with Cyclops' origin because I thought it strange that he would just happen to know that ruby quartz could help him control his laser blasts. But this story does an admirable job explaining how Scott came to be wearing the red sunglasses prior to his latent abilities which would literally explode onto the scene.

  I thought the art was quite good. Artist Dave Hoover does a masterful job though I thought his Professor X looked a little weird. Still, it was the artwork that first sold me on this series but if the stories are as good as this first one, I will be a fan for life.

  Worth Consuming

  Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.