Marvel Comics Presents #175

This is it! The final issue of Marvel Comics Presents!

There are 4 segments and they are all 8-pagers. Obviously. 

2 segments continue stories that I thought were over. You know how at the end of a scary movie, the monster does a jump scare before actually dying off? Well, that's what happens here with Vengeance as Diabolique returns! Man, I hate that scary ass white kid...

I also had thought that Lunatik's story with Silver Surfer was completed last issue. But the two titans have decided once again to go toe-to-toe. 

The other half of this issue involves characters from the epic 150th issue. There's a group of kids known as NewGenX. They've all been turned into living weapons thanks to the geneticists of The Fortress. That's the research compound that kidnapped Typhoid Mary during that massive issue. Well, these kids appeared in like 1 panel then and this issue is the chance to tell their story. As this is their only full appearance in over 80 years of Marvel Comics, apparently 16-pages was enough paper in which to tell it. Did I say 16-pages? That's because the mercenary Steel Raven saves the kids from The Fortress in her 8-page segment.

I never thought I'd finish this series. It had a few highs but a whole heck of a lot of lows. There was a bunch of Ghost Rider. Too much Wolverine. And not enough quality. This finale didn't do anything to end this on a high note.

Not Worth Consuming!

Rating: 4 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #174

With the penultimate issue, a few loose ends are wrapped up before the epic finale.

For instance, Michael Badilino gets vengeance against Diabolique for the death of one of the members of his meta-human task force. 

Then the courses of Lunatik and the Silver Surfer finally converge on a no-holds barred battle. The stakes- the lives of a tribe of peaceful inhabitants of some random planet and the Surfer's surf board.

Nick Fury and his Agents of SHIELD are back in action for the third straight issue. This time around, A.I.M. has gotten its hands on a Shi'ar spacecraft. Should Advanced Idea Mechanics uncover the secrets of this ship, it could very well tilt the balance to A.I.M. against SHIELD in the battle for global freedom. So it's up to Fury to steal the ship or destroy the whole base. Or both! You know, a normal Sunday afternoon for the good Colonel. 

Lastly, it's a mixed up time caper with Excalibur, Moon Boy, Devil Dinosaur and those extra-dimensional bounty hunters from Technet! 

This issue was a lot of fun. The Lunatik story ended up being some sort of ersatz trilogy. It was good to finally see evil like Diabolique get what was coming to her. The Nick Fury story was 24 pages of action and adventure crammed into 8 little pages. And once again, the Excalibur crew play fast and loose with space-time!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #173

There are 4 one-shot stories in this, the third from last issue of MCP.

Lunatik is back for another run. This time around, he's been hired to assassinate an entire tribe of dimwitted natives as part of some big business scheme. But with the Silver Surfer involved and a heavy dose of hero worship, the bounty hunter just might have a change of heart.

In the Vengeance story, the demonic moppet Diabolique and her Plaything have returned. A major character dies! And I'm having nightmares again.

Nick Fury and SHIELD are back too! With Dum Dum Dugan helping out, the team is testing out yet another LMD with predictably disastrous effects.

Finally, the Avenger reservist Stingray is exploring the Pacific Ocean's Ring of Fire when he's attacked by Lava Men!

This was a great issue. Well, sorta. I mean, I didn't like that Diabolique killed off a pretty likable character. That's a death that is going to haunt Michael Badilino for years to come. 

I never complain when Nick Fury is around. I'll take a series of one-and-done stories if that's the only way to get more SHIELD into this book. The Stingray story had some amazing artwork by Mark McKenna (G.I. Joe: Order of Battle). And I thought the Lunatik story was funny. But I also feel like this was a Lobo story over at DC once before. 

Speaking of Lobo. Look at this cover by Simon Bisley, Jeff Moore and Tim Dzon. It's got Lunatik on the cover; but doesn't it look like something you'd see on a Lobo cover? That's because Simon Bisley did a whole bunch of covers for Lobo. With Keith Giffen at the helm!

I got a couple other things to say about this cover. One- Skreets is hot. There, I said it. It's not appropriate. But the artists really upped the image rating to a hard PG-13. Then, I must ask why does the previous issue have Silver Surfer on the cover when the character appears in this book? Shouldn't the covers or stories have been switched? Seems like somebody goofed...

A good issue that didn't turn out with 4 happy endings nor the right cover starring Lunatik it so appears.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #172

We're down to the last 4 issues of MCP. Things kick off with the debut of a brand new character called Lunatik. Created by Keith Giffen, Lunatik is hundreds of millions of years old. The last of his race, because he consumed all of his planet's people, animals and resources, Lunatik now travels the galaxy as a mercenary with little scruples and a love of space dolphins. 

Yeah, you heard me. Space Dolphins and if that little clue reminds you of a big bad bastiche from the pages of the Distinguished Competition, then reward yourself with a few credits from petty cash. Keith Giffen created the character of Lobo in the pages of Omega Men #3 (1983) and his origin reads an awful lot like that of Lunatik's. Though Lobo did come first, mind you. 

One thing very different between Lobo and Lunatik is that Lunatik has a sidekick. Skreet is a chaos sprite who acts a little bit like Lunatik's conscience as well as his secretary and bookkeeper. Illustrated by Giffen and inked by Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Skeet is kinda punk and kinda alluring. But for Lunatik, as good intentioned as Skreet is, she's a boil on his backside.

Vengeance appears in a single issue story set in San Francisco. In this episode, Badilino and his task force are responding to reports of a super-powered killer in the City by the Bay. It might just be the extremely misguided vigilante, Foolkiller, behind the murders. Or there could be something even more sinister in the works...

The other two segments are POV stories from members of Force Works. Despite last issue being told that we needed to by the latest issue of Force Works to learn how the team survives the crash of the Pegasus, the stories here pick up immediately after the accident. Miraculously and shamelessly, everyone survives. This leads to U.S. Agent going off on his own, half-cocked of course, to stop the Mandarin while the Scarlet Witch tends to the injured.

While the Force Works stories follow the same formula of one incident told from 2 perspectives, neither is framed from a Point of View like in the last issue. I think omitting such a concept takes away from the unique theme of the Force Works stories.

The Vengeance story was kinda comedic. Though the loose ending scares the pants offa me. I don't really know what to think of the Lunatik story. It's classic Keith Giffen fare. But it also  looks a lot like a Lobo swipe...

A good issue that just has some flaws to it.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars. 

Marvel Comics Presents #171

There are only 5 issues left of Marvel Comics Presents. But I don't really feel like the creators are pulling out all the stops just yet. But that doesn't mean that this wasn't a thrilling issue.

Michael Badilino is undergoing a therapy session with Doc Samson. This happens to take place at a top level facility for mentally ill patients with super powers. A blackout results in one very troubled patient getting free and going rogue. Enlisting the help of Vengeance, Doc Samson has to make one very important house call.

In a one-shot story, one of my all-time favorite characters returns. That's right! It's Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD. In this adventure, he's in Alaska where there are reports of a Hydra base that's doing their very best- and worst- to create their version of a super solider!

The second half of this issue is rather interesting. It's comprised of 2 single issue stories that tell of 1 event but from two points of view. The first POV is that of War Machine. The second is of the Force Works team. Both parties are in Hong Kong fighting the Mandarin and his minions. Rhodey is more directly involved with the villain while Force Works are in the air in their armored transport vehicle, the Hex-Ship Pegasus. The ship has been damaged and it's going down fast and in flames!

I liked the idea of having 1 battle told from 2 points of view. I would have rather liked to have seen the Mandarin's take on this battle instead of Force Works. Plus, I am irked because that segment ends with readers having to grab the next issue of Force Works in order to find out what happened to the Pegasus crew.

Having Badilino going to therapy and having Vengeance have to help Doc Samson was pretty cool. I had a feeling this was going to happen last issue. So, I wasn't quite surprised. But really, was anybody shocked when the Ghost Rider popped up to help save the day?

Lastly, I loved the Nick Fury story. But once again, he's squandered to just 8 pages. Why can SHIELD have a lengthy multi-parter in the pages of MCP? How can anybody hate Nick Fury? This sort of perceived slight is going to affect my rating...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #170

I never really cared about the Iron Man villain known as the Mandarin. I just never found his quest for world dominance all that compelling. But after having read the second chapter of his quasi-origin story in the pages of this comic, I feel like I am a little more sympathetic to the character but not much.

In this story, the Mandarin is fighting psychic manifestations of his past selves. While he takes a deadly trip down memory lane, the villain is reminded of the woman who got away. Her story reminded me a lot of Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala, if that tells you anything. Clearly, I am much more sympathetic towards her...

The Mandarin's story doesn't quite end with his allotment of 8-pages. The Force Works team is back with another one-and-down segment. But once again, the team is more of the second string than featured players. The main character of this segment is a cyber-genius by the name of Suzi Endo and the Mandarin might have a considerable amount of interest in the girl. Remember the ill-requited love who got away from the Mandarin? Well Suzi Endo might be related to that woman and the prospect of such has got the villain thinking some very icky things...

In a new Vengeance multi-parter, the events in Los Angeles with the Revengers has got Michael Badilino thinking that he needs therapy. Enter Doctor Leonard Samson. Expect this couch trip to be anything but normal.

Then in the lone one-shot story, the Native American hero Red Wolf defends the tribal leaders of a Native American owned casino from the Maggio; the Marvel Universe's version of the Mafia. The last appearance of Red Wolf resulted in an unforgivable number of deaths (small, adorable animals). Thankfully, there's no loss of life in this story- 4-legged or otherwise.

A fairly decent issue. Not the best Marvel has to offer. But at least all 4 segments had something to offer me in terms of enjoyment. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #169

There are 3 new segments in this issue. 

First up, fans get the answers to some of their long posed questions about the history of Iron Man's arch-enemy, the Mandarin. As with the back story of any good villain, it's tragic and maybe a little sad. It's enough to elicit a little sympathy above all else.

The other two stories are single-issue 8-pagers. 

The first one stars It, the Living Colossus. I always thought that the character was a golem. But there's a bit more to that. It is a construct of Communist Russia that was imbued with powers after an aborted alien invasion. Somehow after that episode (and probably countless others), the Living Colossus wound up at a Hollywood movie studio and became a sci-fi B-movie star. In this issue, a disgruntled SFX wizard claims to have the newest greatest thing in movies and has his creation challenge It!

The second one-and-done issue has the Force Works team back on duty. The last story was supposed to have the Julia Carpenter Spider-Woman as the feature but the rest of the team had as much a part of the story as she did. Here, Force Works is listed as a featured player on the cover. But again, that's just not quite right. The main feature is a new character called Century. He's an alien construct that claims to be ageless and may know the future. There's a lot of action in this story but it has a ending that requires buying the latest issue of Force Works and those kind of gimmicks irk me to no end!

Rounding things up is the latest Vengeance multi-parter. So I remembered a part of this story wrong. The Revengers aren't in New York. They're in LA and they're causing so much havoc, that War Machine, whose base of operations is in the City of Angels, has taken on the gang himself. Badilino has traveled to Cali in hopes that Vengeance can reel his gang of devotees in. But in true Marvel fashion, War Machine thinks that the Ghost Rider is their leader and a battle of titans ensues.

I would probably rate this issue higher if not for the staff behind the Force Works story requiring readers to get the rest of the story in another book. MCP kinda did this with the 4-issue Midnight Sons epic crossover. But I understood that premise from the start. Here, I was unceremoniously told of needing to buy whatever corresponding issue of Force Works for the rest of the story. I just hate such surprises! It's one of the few things about comic books that I absolutely loathe!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars. 

Marvel Comics Presents #168

The Revengers: a cult-like gang that dresses as the spirit of vengeance, Vengeance. They've spread throughout the Big Apple like a virus, issuing their own warped sense of justice not just on criminals but their victims as well.

These guys kinda remind me of those vigilante followers of Batman in 2008's The Dark Knight. I wonder if this Vengeance story was in some way an inspiration for those guys to director Christopher Nolan. Regardless if that was the case or not, I'm liking the Revengers inclusion in this Vengeance heavy story that also stars War Machine!

The Julia Carpenter Spider-Woman story comes to a close in this issue and I'm very glad. The plot of a deranged paramour threatening to shoot up the school in which Julia's daughter attends should Spider-Woman reject him is just something that hits way too close to home. Just to clarify, the part about a school shooting is what triggers me. Not the part about having a stalker.

There are 2 one-shot stories that complete this issue's line-up. The Inhuman Blackbolt must choose between the safety of his people or whether to take the life of a group of humans that threaten to disrupt the relative anonymity of the Great Refuge. 

The other 8-pager stars the Asgardian Valkyrie, Brunnhilde. For some reason, Valkyrie has gone the Dr. Bruce Banner route and is wandering around the world. Well it's a good thing she is as the Asgardian warrior stumbles upon a Chinese village being held captive by a despot wielding a set of mystic gems that control the very elements of the earth!

I really didn't feel much of a connection to the 2 short stories. The Inhumans tale was wonderfully illustrated by Jeff Moore (Avengers). But it seemed like a plot that could have been solved much more differently and with much less stress. I honestly don't remember anything about Valkyrie's story. I had to look it up just to do this review. 

The Vengeance story is great. I feel like War Machine's presence is really uncalled for. But the love triangle and terse working environment between Badilino, Sam Buchanan and Rebecca Taylor is worth the price I paid for this issue. 

And yes, I am thankful that the Spider-Woman story came to an end. However, I feel like Marvel should have framed this more as a Force Works story than a Spider-Woman story. It's like the opposite of the New Warriors story that only starred one member of the team. What the heck was going on with the editing team during this stage of MCP's run?

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #167

After spending the past few issues trying to kill each other, Michael Badilino and Sam Buchanan find themselves both on the NYPD's paranormal task. Add to the fact that both Badilino and Buchanan have the hots for teammate Rebecca Taylor, you know that things are going to run smoothly for the two. 

In the first chapter of the newest Ghost Rider epic, a seedy televangelist is rising public fervor against the demonically powered Vengeance. But on the flip side, a new gang of rowdies that are devoted to the Spirit of Vengeance, called the Revengers, have taken to the streets of the Big Apple. Dressed as the Ghost Rider, these guys enact their own form of vengeance against those who wronged others.

The Man-Thing story comes to an end. After several very good Marvel Horror style chapters, the last chapter got really philosophical. There's a lot of symbolism in this finale and I am sure that a lot of it is the author Simon Jowett's (Black Axe) way of journaling some of his insecurities and fears as a creator of words. At least I understood most of the ending...

The Turbo story also comes to a close. It was only a 2-parter. But it was such an entertaining two-parter that was very wacky. I would've been okay if this story had continued for another couple of chapters. 

Lastly, the Julia Carpenter Spider-Woman is dealing with a stalker who is taking her rejections out on the populace through a series of sniper attacks. Now Carpenter's daughter (and subsequent school) have been named as the next planned assault and Spider-Woman and her Force Works allies must race to find the killer and save her child!

Every story was engrossing enough to have something that I enjoyed. After a very rocky start, I keep finding the character of Vengeance and especially alter-ego Michael Badilino to just keep getting better and better. The Man-Thing story had that gothic antebellum edge that makes me a fan of the character. I'm just not real big on symbolism. The New Warrior Turbo romp could have extended for several more issues. But man, what a fun ride. As for the Spider-Woman story. It's a great psychological thriller. However, being a teacher, I'm finding that the subject matter of mass shootings and potential school violence hitting a little too close to home.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #166

4 very thrilling chapters comprise this issue. 

First up, Ted Sallis is getting the chance to live the life he would have lived had he not been tragically transformed into the Man-Thing. Meanwhile, the Man-Thing, now completely devoid of any humanity, wanders aimlessly through a creepy Southern mansion, killing indiscriminately. 

The tag-team duo of Mike Jeffries and Mickey Musashi, who together make up one member of the New Warriors, Turbo, are back. This time, it's Mike's turn to wear the Torpedo costume. A band of alien warriors have come to earth to claim the costume. Too bad it's Mickey who's the brawn of the outfit and nowhere near this super-powered outfit...

In another opening segment, the Julia Carpenter Spider-Woman is the main star. On a brief respite from Force Works, Carpenter has obtained a stalker who promises to do something drastic if the heroine doesn't promise to become his lover.

Lastly, it's a showdown between Vengeance, Psiphon and Sam Buchanan in the closing segment of this Ghost Rider tale. There's an unexpected shift in allegiances here. One that promises to make Badilino's time on the Paranormal Law Enforcement Team hellish for issues to come. 

The Man-Thing story is extremely meta. It's the sort of thing I'd expect of Grant Morrison or Alan Moore. But this is Marvel and not Vertigo. The Turbo story is hilarious. But it could really use some Slapstick. I thought the Vengeance story was a thrill a minute. Those stories have gotten better now that they seem to focus a little bit more on Vengeance's alter-ego, Michael Badilino. 

As for the Spider-Woman tale, its source material of a deranged admirer willing to turn sniper at a local shopping center is just too realistic for 2022 audiences. In 1994, this was still fairly far-fetched stuff even though Mark David Chapman and John Hinckley Jr. were only 15 years prior. Sadly, nowadays, this sort of stuff seems like a daily occurrence. And as a school teacher, it just hits too close to home.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #165

A lot of stuff is happening in this issue. 

Things get metaphysical with the Man-Thing story when the character arrives at a desolate chateau called The Writer's Mansion. By some sort of magic, Ted Sallis has been separated from his mindless form. Now Sallis lives the life he was meant to enjoy while the Man-Thing entity wanders the corridors of the decrepit home running into characters that might have been created by the mysterious 'Writer'.

Vengeance has got his work cut out for him as both demon hunter Sam Buchanan and the energy-sucking mutant Psiphon work together to bring the latest Ghost Rider down!

In the one-and-done story, Mr. Fantastic is dickering around in the Negative Zone again when the crazed despot Blastaar seeks out revenge on Reed Richards for all the trouble he and the rest of the Fantastic Four has caused over the years. 

The Tigra story comes to an end and it takes a very dark turn. See, the reason all those people were kidnapped is that they were to become the harem of a really, really large sultan from some made up Middle Eastern nation. At least Tigra gets some sweet revenge on the scum bag. 

Another quality issue full of action and excitement.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #164

3 all-new segments either start or appear in this issue. 

The ever-lovin' Blue Eyed Thing, Ben Grimm, gets in an altercation on the streets of the Big Apple. One of the victims is a young boy's rabbit that escapes its cage and flees into the NYC subway system. Leave it to the founding member of the Fantastic Four to begrudgingly track the little fella all the way through many a rat infested tunnel...

Then for the first time since a one-shot appearance in MCP #29 and the first time headlining a multiparter since all the way back in issues 1-12, Man-Thing returns. The first segment isn't really action-packed. It also stars Ted Sallis' former lover Ellen Brandt and is more of a refresher of the Man-Thing's origin story than anything else.

Rounding things out on the debut front is another Vengeance story. This one involves two blasts from Michael Badilino's past. First is the energy-absorbing mutant, Psiphon. Next is the former special forces member and demon hunter/hater, Samson Buchanan who now possesses a more deadlier version of the famed Exorcist gun from some previous MCP story that I can't quite recall. I think it was during the Midnight Sons story line...

The only continuing segment involves the sometime Avenger, Tigra. She's gone on the hunt for some slavers who have captured members of an indigenous Australian tribe that Tigra has taken refuge with. Needless to say, she's pissed.

The Thing's story was sweet and enduring. Another reason to love the members of Marvel's First Family. The Man-Thing story is an origin story. If you kinda know the story, then things are mostly yesterday's news. If anything has been rebooted, I'm not that familiar with the character to have picked through the changes. The Vengeabnce story promises to be another exciting tale that wisely focuses on Badilino's police force career as much as his time as a Ghost Rider. As for the Tigra story, the level of excitement is getting higher as this is the penultimate chapter. But the real winner here again is John Czop's amazing artwork.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #163

Issue #164 appears to be full of promise as 3 segments come to a close in this issue. 

If you recall what I said in my review of the last issue, the Vengeance/Diabolique story has been straddling the line between chilling thriller and occult horror that I just can't stand reading. Well, the finale crossed that line and scared the hell outta me. If you ask me, I don't think that this is the last we've seen of evil little Diabolique. That prospect is going to keep me up at night...

The New Warriors story ends with a pleasing guest cameo from a bizarre and rarely seen member of the FF Family. It was a great story if only for the inclusion of Slapstick, the Living Cartoon. I'm more than willing to give this era's New Warriors regular series a read in hopes it captured just a fraction of the insanity and laughs. 

As for the Mace story, it ended on an uptick. The middle two chapters had been rather cliched what with ninjas and clones and such. But the ending added a depth of mystery missing since the introductory chapter. Still, it wasn't enough to turn my into a fan.

Tigra's story rounds out the quartet. The former Avenger has taken refuge in the Australian Outback and everything seems idyllic. That is until a group of mercenaries arrives at the village that houses Tigra and kidnaps most of the population. Now Tigra is on the hunt for her missing 'kinsmen'.

The plot of the Tigra story doesn't really do anything for me. But that John Czop (New Warriors) artwork is just breathtaking. Pretty risque stuff for 1994 Marvel Comics.

2 great stories come to an end here. A third story at least comes to a thankful end. And the 4th is at least a feast for the eyes. Overall, it's a good read. But I can't wait to see what the next issue brings with 3 all new stories waiting in the wings.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars. 

Marvel Comics Presents #162

The lone segment that is brand new stars the former Avenger, Tigra. Having found a new home in the Australian outback, the bikini-clad hero has become a defacto leader of a tribe of indigenous peoples. She'll hopefully become their savior when a group of guerrillas arrives and enslaves a good chunk of the village population.

The Vengeance story continues to chill me to my very core. The demonic moppet known as Diabolique is pretty uh, well, demonic. We learn that while her green pal Playmate is technically her servant, Diabolique is servant to an ancient Persian evil...

I love the New Warriors story. Slapstick is a great addition to it. The time bending properties of the villain is awesome. The banter is hilarious. Art is excellent. I just love everything about this story.

When it comes to the story about Mace, the cloned ninja assassin, I've gotten bored with it. Just seems like every clone action movie story that floated around in the early 90s. I'll be glad when this one ends.

If Slapstick would have joined the New Warriors around this time period, I'd probably be adding those books to my wish list. While the Living Cartoon does eventually become a New Warrior, it's not until later on and probably not as hilarious as this story starring Slapstick has been.

I like the Vengeance story. It's a horror tale that is a good scare. Demons and that sort of terror isn't really my thing and Diabolique is just barely tolerable. If things get more evil, I probably will find my enjoyment of this story start to 180. Plus, that big baddie reveal; I feel it's taken some inspiration from Stephen King's It...

As for the Tigra story, the narrative is still building. But that artwork by John Czop (New Warriors) is, well, I like to think of myself as a gentleman. Put it this way, if you remember the Marvel Swimsuit Specials of the 90s, then you'll get my drift with how Czop has illustrated the very slinky Tigra. It's very risque stuff for a Comics Code approved work.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #161

Take a look at this image. The female on the cover is a superhero named Turbo. That has got to be the most ridiculous headgear I have seen this side of Hela. And what is up with the laser disc sized braclets? Seems quite unwieldy. 

Now the story in which Turbo stars is one that I am taking great delight in. I like the time travelling slant. I'm totally digging the inclusion of Slapstick. Plus I like the gender-bending twist with Turbo as a pair of college students trade off wearing the costume. One week it's Ms. Mickey Musashi. The next week, it's Mr. Michael Jefferies wearing the suit. As you can tell from the cover, it's Mickey's week to play superhero. 

The latest Vengeance story continues to creep me out. There's the demonic little girl who goes around asking for help finding her missing playmate. Adults take interest, thinking 'why is such a youngster walking around Manhattan all by her lonesome?' In the end, they find Playmate, which happens to be this gruesomely hungry green blob. Through osmosis or some other devilry, the little girl gets stronger and as a result, the Spirit of Vengeance gets more terrified of the evil that is growing. It's kinda like how the Hulk refused to Hulk out after being b-slapped by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity Wars.

The Hawkeye story comes to an end. Pretty lackluster if you ask me. The Mace story begins with a death and dips into a birth with the origin of the cloned ninja master revealed. It too was pretty lackluster as the origin story sounds like so many other 90s cloning tales.

Overall, this wasn't a bad read. Just after 2 very strong segments with the New Warriors/Slapstick and Vengeance, the Hawkeye and Mace chapters were rather cliched. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #160

Where to start with this issue?

The cover feature is a cloned ninja assassin who goes by the moniker of Mace. He's the product of a secret society to be it's ultimate killing machine. With DNA from some of the Japanese based Sunrise Society, Mace is nearly unstoppable. But Dr. Ito, Mace's creator, has developed a fatherly bond with the assassin and hopes to help Mace escape the warrior sect he was designed to serve. 

This issue is technically Mace's first appearance. Maybe a week prior, the character debuted in a Symbiote heavy miniseries titled Venom: Mace. Though the 3-parter came out first, this story occurs chronologically first. The premise is interesting but with elements from TMNT, Species, Remo Williams, and countless other 90s action franchises, I feel that the originality factor is servely lacking.

Vengeance returns in another multi-parter that chills me to my core. The antagonist is a scary-ass witch-child called Diabolique. The little blonde haired demon has a special friend named Playmate. Playmate is a real killer. But it's Diabolique who gives not just me, but Michael Badilino nightmares. So much to the point, Vengeance is refusing to come forth to smite this duo of evil.

The Hawkeye segment opens in a way that reminds me of a scene from the first Lord of the Rings film. There's a scene where the dwarf Gimli is terrified of being in the forest realm of elves. At one point, an elf sneaks up on Gimli and tells him that he's so loud that the elf could've killed him in the dark. Well, that's basically how this segment starts when U.S. Agent thinks he's got the advantage on Hawkeye. But the archer is the one in the catbird seat. 

I still don't have a clue as to why Hawkeye is playing the fugitive here. But I love this cloak and dagger type story. It's clever and kinda mysterious.

Our last segment continues with the New Warriors and their very special guest star, Slapstick. The young heroes are visiting the American Museum of Natural History when a time-traveling villain named Dr. Yesterday runs amok. History is literally repeating itself as the exhibits come alive. But unlike A Night at the Museum, when these exhibits become animated, it's because Dr. Yesterday has figured out a way for the past to come alive; not because a wax dummy of Teddy Roosevelt came to life. It's a tool many a history teacher probably wishes they could utilize and with the inclusion of the Living Cartoon, Slapstick, this has been a fantastic story thus far.

Scary. Thrilling. Funny. And maybe a bit cliched. But this was another solid issue of MCP.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #159

As the Vengeance story comes to a close, 3 new segments appear in this book. Two are the beginning of multi-parters. One is a one-and-done short story.

The Vengeance story is on fire- literally! As great as the female Spirit of Vengeance known as Phantome is; this 4-parter is her only appearances in the MCU. Why hasn't she returned? This is a matter CB Cebluski needs to fix right away! Bring Phantome back and I'll start buying new issues of Ghost Rider monthly!

The Hawkeye story is actually more of a U.S. Agent and Force Works story. Hawkeye has gone rogue for some reason. Force Works has the chance to bring him in but they refuse. That is except for U.S. Agent who goes all half-cocked and decides to find the Avenger/Thunderbolt/former circus performer on his own.

The New Warriors story actually has New Warriors in it this time. First of all, I hadn't realized that the Namorita/Kymaera story had ended last issue. Oops. But it appears that having the whole team around makes for a much better story. Plus, Slapstick the living cartoon is involved! This looks to be a fun one!

The single issue story stars one of my personal favs- Nick Fury. Again, I don't understand why Wolverine gets over 100 issues of appearances and Fury only gets an occasional one-shot here and there. But it seems that the head of SHIELD can do about a dozen issues worth of action and adventure in just 8 short pages. Kudos to writer Glenn Greenberg (Star Trek: Untold Voyages) for making me feel like I experienced a blockbuster spy thriller with one of my absolute favorite characters!

An all-around fun issue. Full of action but nothing too preachy or sentimental for once. Plus, NO WOLVERINE!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #158

A brand new group of heroes are introduced in this issue of MCP. Created by Excalibur's Alan Davis, it's a visually appealing group called Clan Destine. But some of the characters are rather ridiculous.  

For example, there's the character of Argent. Right now, she's got giant blades for arms. How does she go to the bathroom? Eat? Get dressed? If the character has arms and hands, it's just not revealed.

The idea is that the Destine family is a group of immortals. Their father is an immortal Scottish noble who mated with imps, genies and other mythical creatures to create a clan of nearly indestructible warriors. It's like if Highlander decided to go the Captain Kirk route and get busy with anything with legs and magical powers...

As for the other 3 segments in this issue...

The only New Warrior to appear in the New Warrior story is still just Kymaera (Namorita). In all honesty, this story could have concluded as just an 8-pager. It's really getting to be a dull mulit-part story that just spins in circles.

Vengeance's encounter with a female Spirit of Vengeance is epic. Right now there's a massive fire in which Badilino is trying to save some of the members of his new meta-human task force. But it's kinda hard to do with this new Ghost Rider in his way!

The Shang-Chi story finally comes to an end. And now I start to recall some elements of it. An old flame from Shang-Chi's days as a member of Mi-6 is involved. The Master of Kung-Fu recalls his turbulent history with father Fu-Manchu. Things don't end happily for Shang-Chi. But at least it's not a tragic ending as with his previous story that occurred in the pages of the very 7 or 8 issues of this anthology series.

An okay offering of characters and stories. But still not the best the MCU has to offer readers either.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #157

First up is Nick Fury. He's one of my favorite comic book characters of all time. But I don't list him as a superhero. Is he a superhero? Do I need to rethink this? Anyways, Fury takes on Hydra in a one-and-done story set in Greece. Action packed. But can anybody tell me why Wolverine gets featured in over 100 issues but when it comes to the ultimate agent of SHIELD, they editors at Marvel can barely give him the time of day???

With Vengeance, things just keep getting better and better. There's a new Spirit of Vengeance; a woman named Phantome. And man is she nuts! 

I still can't recall anything about that Master of Kung-Fu story. It doesn't help that the Marvel Wiki has only a photo of the main villain for his page. Since the character known as Lazarus: The Midnight Slasher only appears in this multi-parter, I guess they're not worthy of a record history.

Lastly, the New Warriors story continues to be devoid of New Warriors. Only Kymaera, the Atlantean formerly known as Namorita, appears in this story. It's not a bad story. Just the false advertising on the cover irks me to no end. 

A better offering than that of last issue. I mostly don't like the editing choices made in this issue and I still can't recall what happened in one of the segments. 

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #156

I got my wish. Michael Badilino and Rebecca Taylor are kinda a thing now. Plus, Badilino has now become part of a supernatural meta-human task force on the NYPD, along with Taylor. Rebecca is pretty sure that Badilino is the Spirit of Vengeance known as Vengeance. But on this first assignment, she's still not quite sure. I hope that writer Chris Cooper (Incredible Hulk) just does away with it all and lets Rebecca Taylor in on the secret identity.

I also got my answer. Last issue, I wondered if the rest of the New Warriors were going to show up in the further chapters of the Kymaera-centric tale. Well, they don't. So I hated that it's listed that the New Warriors appear in this issue. 

The story itself is a bit of a mess with a mad-scientist hoping to take genes from Kymaera and become the new Eve to a race of aquatic supermen.

Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung-Fu, returns in this issue for a 3-parter. He's taking on a bloodthirsty killer called the Midnight Slasher and it's a rather forgettable episode.

Lastly, for our one-shot story, the World War II super solider variant known as Destroyer is the star. Again, I just don't remember much about this segment except for the bombshell cameo made by the Invader member Spitfire. 

As I've mentioned several times before, I've read these issues several months ago and I am slowly catching up on my reviews. I'm sorry folks. But I just barely remember anything about half of these segments. I guess that just doesn't make for such a great issue if you ask me...

Not Worth Consuming!

Rating: 3 out of 10 stars.