Marvel Comics Presents #154

The Moon Knight story comes to a close in this issue. It was action-packed and had a really good mystery. However, I also felt that there was a huge plot hole. Supposedly, the head of a hate group is on trial for various crimes. In order to ensure that he gets a 'Not Guilty' verdict, his underlings have kidnapped the family of one of the jurors. But when Moon Knight goes to rescue the family, why is the gang leader at their domicile holding them hostage? Is he out on bail? Are there 2 gang leaders but only 1 is on trial? Just seems to me that part wasn't so very clear.

The Wolverine story is a lot like the beserker story from MCP #62-63; which is a direct sequel by the way. The goons are complete buffoons and there's great slapstick comedy banter all throughout. The only difference is the inclusion of the big boss, the mystic Arab Abdul Alhazred who is no-nonsense.

I really love the Vengeance story. The character seems to have finally found the missing parts needed to flesh things out, which is ironic considering Vengeance is a Ghost Rider. Plus, this story in which a bunch of wealthy New York jerks who hunt humans throughout the 5 Burroughs and a lady cop whose starting to put two and two together about Michael Badilino and Vegeance has been really entertaining. 

Lastly is the War Machine story which just continues to read like a bad educational film on the dangers of gangs. The plot is great. It just has lousy dialogue.

As one promising story comes to a close, questions arise about plot holes. Another is just victim to overly dramatic writing. But the two stories features, which I normally am not a big fan of, starring Wolverine and Vengeance, continue to knock my socks off. 

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #153

For an issue full of multi-parter middle chapter segments, this one's pretty good. 

The best of the bunch is the Vengeance story. It focuses more on Michael Badilino's life and career as a cop more than it does on the Spirit of Vengeance. Plus, the new character of Rebecca Taylor has been a delight. She adds that Lois Lane romantic foil/secret identity snoop factor that has been missing to just about any Ghost Rider story for quite some time.

Next up is the Moon Knight story. A major case involving the leader of a white supremacist terror group is now in deliberation. Moon Knight knows that one of the juror's families are being held hostage in order to insure a hung jury. Only, the hero doesn't know which jury member's home is being held captive.

The Wolverine story is my 3rd favorite story. Logan must keep his beserker side in check when some criminals from his past come back for revenge on him and lover Tyger Tiger.

The War Machine story at this point ranks in at last. It's not a terrible story. Just the dialogue is very corny like something you might encounter in an ABC After School Special. Rhodey is trying to confiscate stolen Stark Tech while trying to get some teen gang members to go straight.

I appreciate the efforts to help kids do right. But there's a real disconnect between how writer Len Kaminski (Iron Man) thinks early 1990s LA gang members talk and how a former air force veteran should relate to them. That being said- the artwork (by New Warriors' John Czop) and the overall plot, where War Machine decides to join one of the gangs to stop the violence and killing was superb!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #152

 

He's Back! 

After an absence of about a dozen issues, Wolverine is back as a featured character in the pages of MCP. Now I know that Wolvie was a part of the massive 150th anniversary spectacular that bled over into issue #151. But lets be honest here, Typhoid Mary was the star of those issues. 

With Logan's return, the mutant is back in Madripoor, trying to spend a quiet evening with Tyger Tiger. As you know, it's an official LAW in the Marvel Universe that such intimate moments must be ruined by something tragic, fantastic or involving interloping villains. In this case- it's baddies making it difficult for Wolverine to get his groove on.

In the other 3 segments, which are all opening chapters of multi-parters, War Machine travels to L.A. to stop a gang war which is being fought using stolen Stark tech. He hopes to teach the youth that violence isn't the answer. But in order to stop this turf war, Rhodey might have to join one of the gangs!

In the Big Apple, a group of thrill seekers are hunting the deadliest game: man. In their latest quest, it's undercover cop Rebecca Taylor. Michael Badilino happens to be an ever so slight acquaintance of Rebecca from his days as a cop. So this attack is personal. It's also a matter for the latest Spirit of Vengeance, Vengeance!

Also in New York, a trial involving some white supremacists is just about to head into jury deliberation. To make sure the verdict goes their way, the racists have abducted the family of one of the jurors. But which one? It's up to Moon Knight to find the family in time to prevent a miscarriage of justice. 

All 4 segments show great promise. To me, Moon Knight was the weakest of the bunch; if only because I'm just not a fan of the character like some are. The War Machine story has a fairly predictable plot for one starring a member of the Iron Man Family. Stolen Stark tech seems to be the basis of every other Iron Man related tale. (In case you are wondering techno-viruses comprise the other 50%.)

I was hoping for it to be the end of Wolverine in the pages of MCP. But I liked that his return story continues from another great Wolverine tale told a while back in the series. If you might remember, there was a very brief story where a head injury during a plane crash caused Logan's berserker side to take completely over. Those antagonists from that adventure are the ones who are back to cause more headaches for the mutant and his lover!

Lastly, I think Vengeance might finally be hitting his stride in this book. Apparently, focusing on Badilino's day job as a NYPD cop is the missing element to this character. Previously, Badilino was just coming across as a horrible impression of an 80s-90s vigilante action hero. But put him behind his badge, and something just gels with the character. I'm looking forward to see what happens next.

A nearly flawless issue!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Moon Knight, Volume 1: Lunatic

Marc Spector awakens in a mental hospital. It seems that his life as the vigilante Moon Knight has been just a delusion of decades of psychosis. Yet no matter how hard Spector tries to see life through the eyes of a sane person, the man keeps running into fellow inmates who seem just like those who have fought along side him in his mission against evil and injustice. 

I think after numerous tries, I can say without a doubt, I am just not a Moon Knight fan. There's too many alter egos and confusing Egyptian gods. Oh, and violence. Lots and lots of mindless violence. 

I won this book, along with 3 other books, in a drawing during a comic book event. That's why I read this. I figured free is free. Plus, it has the great Jeff Lemire (Black Hammer) as the writer. So I thought that I would be in for a treat. 

This volume contains the first 5 issues of the 2016-17 Moon Knight series. The first 3 issues were pretty good. But the concluding pair of chapters were just a hot mess. Now the artwork overall was superior. It's a mix of different art styles by Star Wars: Vader's Greg Smallwood with help by Francesco Francavilla (Archie Horror), Michael Garland (King Thor) and others. And I just loved those covers. I'n not sure who did them. But they really were awesome. 

I know that Moon Knight has a cult following. He's just not my cup of tea. Someone might be a huge fan of this book. But that person isn't me.

 Hey- at least it was a free book!

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Fanfare # 38

In this Fanfare, the various identities of Moon Knight must prevent a boy band’s throng of groupies from losing their souls. In a twist on 'Portrait of Dorian Gray', an Aztec totem is the key behind the seemingly endless fountain of youth that surrounds this mysterious band. It’s a great tale, but hard to keep straight. I know Moon Knight has like 10 other personas and I couldn’t tell if he’s having a sort of Tyler Durdan moment where he’s talking with folks who aren’t really there or is he?

The follow-up story involved Rogue and Dazzler enjoying a night on the town, only to have it ruined by a group of hostage takers. This story was pretty simple, straight-forward, and guilty pleasure fun. The art was very late 80s glamour deco and it read a little like a Scorsesse movie in sequential art form.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Fanfare # 39

Moon Knight returns for the second issue in a row. It’s not even a conclusion to the previous issue’s tale. So why does he wanted such 'exclusive treatment?' This stand alone story involves Moon Knight in the guise of his cab driver persona getting involved in a strange plot to blow up the U.N. With Middle-eastern terrorists and suicide bombers, this early 90s tale strikes a little too close to this post 9/11 home.

The cover story tale doesn't involve Moon Knight. Instead, it features a costumeless Hawkeye encountering his spirit guide during a camping trip vacation. It’s a funny tale with talking animals. However, the concept that Hawkeye is a recurring element in the eternal yin/yang battle of good and evil is a little hard to swallow. Especially, because I don’t recall this factor of Clint Barton’s life ever being explored in future Avengers tales. Maybe I’ve missed something. Until then, I’ll merit this story for its humor and not its hokey premise.

Marvel Fanfare #30

 

Fanfare #30 is devoted to a Moon Knight story that feels like a Swamp Thing crossover. When Marc Spector tries to flee the effects of a Full Moon eclipse, he goes on a vacation. Only, mother nature, literally, is also feeling the effects of the eclipse and is going loco.

This just seems like a plot Alan Moore would’ve done during his Swamp Thing run. It’s a really good story, the supporting characters are interesting, and the art is very well done. I just keep expecting Swamp Thing to pop out at any moment.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.