Superior Iron Man, Vol. 1: Infamous

This is an example of how to not judge a book by its cover. I've been sitting on this book for probably 5 years now. It came in a Comic Book Bento Box as a gift from my bride. (Remember CBBB? They're were a graphic novel grab bag subscription service that was so fun to get in the mail each month. Now defunct. Long may it rest...) I had just finished a volume of Iron Man where Tony's brother Arno Stark was set to take on the mantle of Iron Man, when I received this book. I wasn't all that thrilled with Arno and thinking this book was chronicling his adventures, I waited to read it.

I couldn't have been more wrong in my assessment.

Superior Iron Man, Volume 1 takes place immediately after the events of AXIS. For those of you not familiar with Marvel's 2014's crossover event, AXIS was the Freaky Friday storyline where good guys became villains and villains became heroes due to the meddling of the Red Skull. When everybody went back to their normal selves, something went wrong with Tony Stark, screwing up his moral compass. 

So imagine what the billionaire playboy would have become if he never got injured from a land mine and had his life saved by Professor Yinsen. What we have at the beginning of Superior Iron Man is a hedonistic, unrepentant alcoholic Tony Stark intent on imposing his own personal Utopia upon the world. To change the world in his own image, Tony has set up base in San Francisco. He just released his latest version of Extremis as an app which turns users into Kardashian-like versions of themselves. There's a hitch to this however. Tony offered Extremis 3.0 as a trial. Now reverted back to their imperfect selves, the citizens of San Francisco must pay an exorbitant fee daily to feed their addiction to perfection.

I really loved this book. I devoured it in about an hour. Add Daredevil, She-Hulk, Pepper Potts and an all-new villain to the mix and I was hooked. Amoral Tony Stark. It's a brilliant experiment that left me reeling because I don't have volume 2!

I'm going to rate this book with a perfect score. However there was a continuity error that just stuck in my crawl. Towards the beginning of the book, Stark hosts this big event for Extremis 3.0 on Castro Street. However an issue later, Matt Murdock, fully into his internal dialogue says that the event happened on Canton Street. Just so you know, I researched and there isn't a Canton Street in the City by the Bay.

Castro Street in San Francisco is a historic area known for Harvey Milk and the fight for gay rights. Could writer Tom Taylor have received some flak from fans for setting that scene at such an iconic locale, that Marvel had to retcon things? If so, why didn't they change the name of the scene for this trade? I can see where having Tony Stark offer the people of San Francisco a way to change themselves into what they've always dreamed of being set on Castro Street as being perceived insensitive to the struggle of the LGBT+ community. I'm just flummoxed over the nit and I want to know more about the mistake.

The artwork by Yildiray Cinar and Laura Braga was amazing. One of the best sets of Iron Man armor ever!

Be on the lookout for the Full House Easter egg tribute! So clever!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Graphic Novel #18: The Sensational She-Hulk (2024 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

John Byrne gives the Sensational She-Hulk the VIP treatment in the 18th edition of Marvel Graphic Novel. 

In 1979, when She-Hulk debuted in the pages of The Savage She-Hulk #1, aspiring lawyer Jennifer Walters would change into a rampaging green monster whenever someone made her mad. The transformation was like that of her cousin Bruce Banner, who was forced to give Walters a blood transfusion in order to save her life. Over time, Jen came to accept her She-Hulk form. When transformed, Walters is taller, stronger and much more attractive. Jen also becomes much more self confident and sensual as the She-Hulk, eventually earning membership as both an Avenger and part of the Fantastic Four.

The story opens with She-Hulk about to go out for a night on the town with her almost equally masculine beau, the Native American Wyatt Wingfoot. Unbeknownst to She-Hulk, she has been deemed a potential public menace due to a recent berserker rampage by the Incredible Hulk. The President of the United States has ordered SHIELD to bring in She-Hulk for a complete evaluation of the hero's prospective ability to become a threat to public safety. After a squadron of SHIELD agents in L-series anti-Hulk armor are unable to apprehend Jennifer, the law agency's acting director initiates emergency protocols and teleports She-Hulk and Wingfoot up onto the massive SHIELD helicarrier orbiting above the Manhattan skyline.

The action also beams aboard a number of civilians, including a homeless man that in the chaos allows him to slip away unseen. This failure to notice the man will go down as one of SHIELD's greatest blunders as the vagabond is something far more than human. Birthed from the same radioactive energy that courses through the veins of the Hulk and his cousin, the vagrant in reality is a living swarm of cockroaches! And this hive has plans to feast on the nuclear powered core of the SHIELD helicarrier!

After Jen Walter's tenure with the Fantastic Four, John Byrne would continue She-Hulk's solo adventures in the pages of The Sensational She-Hulk. This series would run from 1989-1994 for 60 issues. Byrne would write and illustrate a majority of the series over a course of 3 tenures. Marvel Graphic Novel #18 is a preview of what Byrne had in-store for the emerald enchantress. Sexy costumes, innuendo and partial nudity teases, which would be a staple of Bryne's She-Hulk run, are all a part of this 72-page story. In one scene, Jen is forced to be stripped searched. In observing the over exuberance of the SHIELD guards, She-Hulk asks if she should also jump rope while nude. This concept would go on to be the subject of one of many controversial Byrne covers which depict She-Hulk in a near state of undress.

(Byrne actually gives his rabid male a glimpse of uncensored She-Hulk as her entire nude backside is shown on a monitor in the background of one panel.)

Thanks to She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, a 2023 live action series starring Tatiana Maslany on Disney+, She-Hulk back issues have been in hot demand. This graphic novel doesn't appear to have been off many speculators' radar. Copies of this book can be found online with asking prices as high as $200 with $25 being about the average price requested by online sellers. A non-graded issue was featured recently on a Central North Carolina area comic shop's Facebook page for a similar price. 

John Byrne's artwork was inked by Kim DeMulder and vividly colored by Petra Scotese.

Completing this review completes Task #19 (Recommended by a Comic Book Store) of the 2024 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

The Avengers, Vol. 1: World Trust

Washington D.C. has disappeared. So has dozens of other world capitals, which appear to have disappeared off the face of the earth. The planet is in crisis. The United Nations is operating under a skeleton crew. Once again, Earth's mightiest heroes are called upon to save the day. Only this time, the Avengers aren't defending us from a colossal menace like Kang or Galactus. Instead, they're acting as the de facto leaders of the world under special commission from the UN.

The first half of this book sees very little action. What we get from Geoff Johns is a political Armageddon story on par with Tom Clancy. Seeing Captain America acting as motivational leader of the world with She-Hulk as his political law adviser and Iron Man acting as the head of the World Bank was a welcome change from super hero stories full of fisticuffs and violence. There's a ton of political intrigue as many of the Avengers have trouble trusting the intentions of both T'Challa and the Sub-Mariner, both world leaders, who have joined the team recently. Nobody trusts Henry Peter Gyrich, the Avengers former liaison who oversaw a dramatic retooling of the superhero team in the 1980s. But, Gyrich is about the only government man from D.C. left on the planet and he knows how to play the political game.

I was disappointed when the story shifted over to the menace behind the chaos. On one hand, I like the villain and his reasons for his treachery kinda ties in nicely with the baddie's M.O.. But there was a component of a new player who is more on par with Doctor Strange matching wits with, as opposed to the Avengers. Okay- I admit it! Scarlet Witch and her chaotic hex powers does make her a perfect protagonist to take on one half of the extinction level foes unleashed by the story's main villain. I just hated to see this amazing story devolve back into typical comic book theatrics.

World Trust was another example of why I like the Avengers. They've never really disappointed me. I think one reason they work so well is because of how much they distrust each other.

Great additions of Jack of Hearts and the Scott Lang Ant-Man to this story. They added a distrustful tension to the story which each other really hating the other guy's guts. Plus, both have such tragic story lines going on at this point, that their inclusion in this adventures added a ton of heart. 

Definitely a keeper in my Avengers collection of reads. I just wish there was more crisis-level drama than over-the-top superheroing in this grouping of issue.

Oh, and the back-up story was awesome. If you ever wondered what the Avengers would look and act like if they existed in the Simpsons universe, here's your chance. Simpsons Comics' Bill Morrison crafts a wacky tale in which Loki seeks to regain the title of God of Mischief by playing a bunch of sophomoric pranks on the Avengers. It's another fun tale that was so unusual and extremely refreshing to read that I want to see more of!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Sensational She-Hulk #1 (2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Thanks to the popularity of the live-action Incredible Hulk TV series; along with The Bionic Woman starring Lindsay Wagner; Marvel Comics created the character of She-Hulk in 1979. Created by the team of Stan Lee and John Buscema, the character debuted as the Savage She-Hulk. 

In her first issue, young lawyer Jennifer Walters is visited by her cousin, Bruce Banner. Banner is seeking legal help due to the massive amount of destruction his old half, the Hulk, has created over the years. While going out to lunch, Walters is attacked by mobsters involved with a case she is handling. Needing a life-saving transfusion, Bruce gives his cousin some of his blood and the rest is history. 

For 25 issues, Jennifer Walters fought crime by day as an attorney. When things got rough, she'd go all big and green as She Hulk. Not quite 100% mindless as Bruce's Hulk, over time, She-Hulk was able to maintain Walters mental capacities while in her hulked out form. After cancellation in 1982, She-Hulk moved to the Big Apple, becoming members of the Avengers and Fantastic Four. While with the FF, an extra dose of radiation caused Jennifer to become She-Hulk permanently. 

John Byrne was heading the Fantastic Four during She-Hulk's tenure as the team's strong body. But Byrne was far from through with the character after Ben Grimm returned to the team. Bryne crafted a pair of prestige format issues starring She-Hulk and then boyfriend Wyatt Wingfoot. After an 8-pager in the holiday themed issue of Marvel Comics Presents #18, the House of Ideas announced the creation of an all-new series to based of the character; penned by Bryne.

The new series debuted with a May, 1989 cover date. No longer was the character savage; now she was the Sensational She-Hulk. In her new comic, She-Hulk was involved in much more zanier adventures. Some of the story lines were satires of famous TV shows and films. Many of She-Hulk's adversaries were parodies of popular comic book characters from Marvel and DC. Perhaps the most lasting mark to the She-Hulk character made by John Byrne was Jen's new found ability to break the fourth wall with her readers. 

Beating out Deadpool by several years, She-Hulk knew that she was a comic book character. The cover of issue #1 has Jen threatening to destroy readers' X-Men books if her new series doesn't sell. Over the course of Sensational She-Hulk's 60-issue run, Jen would battle it out with both the artists of her series as well as Bryne. In one issue, Walters kidnaps Bryne in order to find a new writer for her book. On another occasion, She-Hulk decided to skip through the ads in her comic book in order to not let a villain get away. 

Jen's fourth wall abilities are not too far explored past the cover image in the first issue. Instead, She-Hulk makes the mistake of getting tangled up with the very circus run by the nefarious Ring-Master. Hypnotized and smeared with flesh-colored paint, Jen is now advertised as the Glamazonia and used as part of Ring-Master's ploy to rob his audiences of their hard earned dough.

Behind the scenes is a mysterious duo of scientists. They've hired Ring-Master out in order to trap She-Hulk and learn of her abilities. However, those experiments must be put on hold when someone makes an attempt on the Glamazonia's life with a runaway circus wagon.

With Disney+'s very soon debut of She-Hulk: Attorney At Law live action series, a lot of interest has been renewed in the big green machine. One of the Facebook groups I am a member of posted the first issue of this series on their feed. Since one of my tasks for my reading challenge is to read a book featured on a group I take part in, and I own most of this series, I decided to give it a read. 

Along with the script, John Bryne drew the cover. I really thought he also did the interior artwork. But that job was by Bob Wiacek (Avengers). Many fans believe that super model Cindy Crawford was an inspiration for the Sensational She-Hulk. I can see that on the covers. But in the book, I think Wiacek was trying to evoke Raquel Welch and Marilyn Monroe. 

An entertaining issue that is inspiring me to complete my run. Though with the general public's renewed interest in She-Hulk, that might be easier said than done. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #33 (That you heard about from a comic book group) of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge. 

Marvel Comics Presents #126

The She-Hulk story ends in this issue. The ending wasn't as dynamic as the rest of the story. It wasn't bad. But it was more psychological and the ending was sad as opposed to being a humorous romp in previous 3 parts.

The Wolverine story seems to be a reunion as a bunch of characters from previous stories are popping up left and right. This time it's a trio of protoplasmic villains called the Flesh Tones. They had appeared in some story a while back. I can't remember which Wolverine story. But I do remember them and I'm not a fan.

With the Ghost Rider/Typhoid Mary story things have done a sort of 180 degree turn. At first Mary was going after a bunch of terrorists that had invaded a shopping mall in which she's visiting. But now after being sexually assaulted by some security guards, she's resorted to her deadly type of revenge on them. That has caused Ghost Rider's internal vengeance meter to go on full alert against Mary. But shouldn't the Spirit of Vengeance realize that something's off and that Mary is only fulfilling her skewed internal sense of duty and justice? 

Lastly, we've got the Iron Fist story. After apprehending a Hydra backed meta-human that infiltrated his research facility, Danny Rand has sought out the assistance of one of the Daughters of the Dragon, Misty Knight. But instead of using Misty and her detective skills, Iron Fist has decided to take on Hydra alone and put Misty in charge of his company!

After a nearly flawless issue, this issue of MCP seems to go spastic. All 4 chapters seemed to shack off the shackles of reason and went off into odd tangents. Wolverine's villains turned spineless- literally. The She-Hulk story went from comedy to drama. Ghost Rider went all misogynist and victim blaming against Typhoid Mary. And Iron Fist isn't using his allies to their fullest extent. 

Disappointing.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #125

If there's anything I have learned from watching movies involving bounty hunters or other types of soldiers of fortune, you should trust no one! And that's what Wolverine is figuring out here in this amazing story about a young feral girl named Lynx. She carries inside her basically the cure of all cures. And that makes her worth a lot of money. And naturally, the mercenaries who assist Logan are betraying each other in the name of the highest bidder. 

It's an almost comical affair that for some reason reminds me of the Three Stooges. And now Black Widow has entered the picture representing Col. Nick Fury and his agency of SHIELD!

The She-Hulk story continues to amuse me as well. It's very campy and funny. It's almost as good as the Sensational She-Hulk series from this time period. Only, it's missing the god-like narrative of John Byrne who often put himself into the stories for a broken fourth wall effect. Still, I rather like this story with the Batman knock-off Nosferata and the She-Hulk imposter Adrenazon.

The Ghost Rider/Typhoid Mary story is also rather good. A bunch of terrorists have held up the shopping mall in which both Dan Ketch and Mary happen to be at. There's an interesting twist to this story. With Mary's past of abuse, she's taken in with a Women's shelter. Helping volunteer for a community outreach is why she was at the mall that day. Well, the women of the shelter are sick and tired of being pushed around and they've rallied around Typhoid Mary to take on these terrorists. Unfortunately, the women have mistaken Ghost Rider as being a part of the all-male group of subversives that have captured the shopping center.

The fourth story is a change of pace for MCP. Instead of being a one-shot story, the final segment begins a multi-parter starring Iron Fist. I keep forgetting that Danny Rand is wealthy. I always seem to think of him as just some poor wandering monk in designer clothes and not a Bruce Wayne arch-type. 

Anyways, one of Rand's companies is doing research into a mysterious artifact known only as 'the anomaly.' It's so mysterious that Hydra is willing to steal for it by hiring a meta human that can break into any security system. Named Skeleton Ki, the baddie has an appropriate name. But he's no match for Iron Fist who quickly steals the anomaly back before readers are slapped with the inevitable 'To Be Continued' ending.

All 4 segments were entertaining. I'm okay with there not being a single issue story. This kind of variety is what MCP needs to stay fresh as opposed to other tried and true methods that have gotten old over the course of 125 issues.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #124

I'm really enjoying both of the cover stories. For myself, that's been rare. I think it's because both of them are tying up some loose threads from earlier stories. With the Wolverine story, the German mercenary Courier and the French bounty hunter Peregrine have teamed with Logan to help the young feral child known only as Lynx escape her former tormentors and captors. Too bad the mutant forgot that you can't trust soldiers of fortune. In the Ghost Rider story, Danny Ketch is troubled by a series of dreams of a mysterious beauty. Turns out, that mystery woman is Typhoid Mary!

I'm also loving the She-Hulk multi-parter. There's a She-Hulk impostor doing everything in her power to make She-Hulk come across as being on a Gamma induced rager. Jennifer Waters' only hope for help is a zany Batman knock-off character known as Nosferta! It's a great romp by Spider-Man Magazine's Kelly Corvese that has not disappointed thus far!

The one-shot story stars a 2nd rate Punisher type character called Solo. Really, it's not the protagonist who impressed me. It was the villain. That's because our antagonist is the South American baddie, El Tarantula! 

Unfortunately, this isn't the Tarantula I encountered as a kid in the pages of Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #1. I didn't find out that it was a different character until later on after reading it. But the nostalgia factor was what sold me on the Solo story. As for the impostor calling himself Solo- he ain't no Harrison Ford!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #123

After a very lackluster issue #122, this issue offers 4 fantastic segments. 3 of these segments are multi-parters. 

In the Wolverine story, Logan stumbles upon a feral girl that contains within her a biological secret that could change the world. Sensing a kindred spirit, Wolverine will do whatever it takes to protect her from the researchers who want her back.

In the Ghost Rider story, Typhoid Mary returns! Normally, when I say that, I am talking about them just appearing again in the pages of this comic. But not here with Mary. This team-up with Ghost Rider is actually a continuation of the Typhoid's story with Wolverine. While I don't expect the X-Man to pop up here, I am now expecting there to eventually be a future story starring Wolverine, Ghost Rider and Mary!

Personal favorite She-Hulk is the star of the 3rd multi-parter that begins in this issue. A woman who has been beaten down by life gets a second chance with an experimental surgery. With increased strength and confidence thanks to an adrenal gland transplant, the woman paints herself green and goes on a rampage. The reason- to frame She-Hulk who put her hubby in jail in a recent court case. 

Then in the one shot story, you will feel sorry for a Nazi! It's the final hours of the Captain America villain Master Man. Now in his golden years, heavily bandaged and in a coma, all Wilhelm Lohmer can do is reflect on his life. Knowing his time is near, the former Nazi realizes that his life choices were wrong. But unable to actually repent, Lohmer mentally agonizes on his sins to a point where all of the occupants of the hospital feel his sorrow and pain.

Yes, that story involves a Nazi. Yet, it's also a story about how people can change and regret their wrongs. But if you wait too long to do it, that's the real tragedy, I think.

4 very strong segments in an issue I couldn't put down.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #18

2 unexpected holiday themed Marvel Comics Presents in a row?!? I must have been really good this year!

In the first Christmas carol, Jennifer Walters, newly unencumbered from the Fantastic Four is rather lonely this Christmas Eve. So the She-Hulk places a call to her former team leader, Benjamin J. Grimm- the ever Blue-eyed Thing! It seems like a trip down memory lane. That is until Doctor Doom shows up. Then Magneto and then... Nope not going to spoil it! All I will say is that this was a wild one and a great set-up piece to She-Hulk's amazing solo series by John Byrne.

The other Christmas piece also centers around a member of the Fantastic Four family. It's Baxter Center postman Willie Lumpkin who is accidentally visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. The spirits were supposed to haunt J. Jonah Jameson. Instead, this case of a wrong delivery will turn the usual happy-go-lucky postal worker into a scrooge too!

Only 2 of the 4 stories are Christmas tales. But when you add the festive cover, this is a yule tide treat! 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Firsts: The 1970s, Volume 3

The 1970s was my favorite time period for Marvel. Stan and Jack had finalized the groundwork for the creation of the Marvel universe. Now, more diverse and unusual characters were coming on the scene. Plus, we started getting true horror titles and movie/TV tie-ins added to the mix. Toys and film icons like Rom and Godzilla became albeit temporary canon as they interacted with Power Man, Doctor Strange and others. 

If the 1970s were such a big deal to me- why did I start with volume 3? That's easy. This was a gift. Until just recently, I didn't really even conceive of this book's existence. Sure I have a couple of Marvel Firsts from other decades. But until I got this as a gift, I didn't really have a plan in my head to get these records of my favorite decade of Marvel- until now!

This volume explores a number of new characters, first issues and first appearances. Some are good. Some are quite bad. 

The good include the first issue of She-Hulk, written by Stan Lee, the first ever What If... story, Jack Kirby's Machine Man, and Carol Danvers as Ms. Marvel. I loved getting to re-read the first issue of Devil Dinosaur and Skull the Slayer is something I want to collect as an entire set. I was also interested in Omega: The Unknown about a strange kid and the link he has with a futuristic warrior. And who knew that Nova was so good?

Though thankfully there's not a lot; there is some stinkers here. The joining of the Champions make me wish that they had stayed apart. Ulysses Bloodstone's first appearance should have been his last. (It might be the case, as the character is killed at the end of the story.) 

And then we've got this Moon Knight story from the pages of the Hulk magazine. I do not know why people like this character so much. This story was terrible. Maybe the first B&W appearance of Moon Knight isn't the best introduction. It sure didn't win me over. 

There's also a couple of mixed-bag adventures here. Black Goliath's first issue was pretty good. But having known how much of his story later plays out in the pages of Marvel Two-In-One, I don't feel like I need to get those filler issues. Eternals was a good intro into the Kirby realm of Marvel gods. But I feel like I need more data in order to tell if I like the series or not. Then we have 3-D Man.

3-D Man was created by Roy Thomas and his 3-issue origin played out in the pages of Marvel Premiere. I'm trying to collect all of those series either through first runs or reprints. So, I need that 2nd and 3rd issue. But, I really hate the concept of a character that appears or disappears when somebody goes to sleep. I didn't like it with Captain Marvel and Rick Jones and I didn't like it with Sleepwalker. And I do not like it now. But I really liked the Cold War 1950s style of the book. 

A really awesome grab bag of late 1970s Marvel books. Some real money savers here. I need the rest of the series and I am talking about the books of the 60s, 80s and 90s too!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Gwenpool Holiday Special #1

    Though the newest member of the Deadpool family is on the cover and this Marvel holiday special's title star, Gwenpool is hardly in this book. Really, the star is She-Hulk, but I guess she's not a big enough draw to shoppers. Thus, the Pink Merc from another Earth is center of attention.
    In this holiday special from last year, the building that She-Hulk's law office resides is about to be sold to some shady developers. It's determined that the landlord has been put under some kind of spell prompting the sale. But if they can keep the owner happy until dawn the next day, when the spell is at it's weakest, then all should be saved and She-Hulk can keep her law firm. So prepare for the wildest superhero party on this side of the Bronx!
    With short-stories starring Deadpool, the Hawkeyes, Ms. Marvel, and even Gwenpool- this special is a highlight of the new generation of stars of Marvel. Hardly any of the original old school Marvel heroes are in this book- Tony Stark and Steve Rogers make brief cameos and yet Howard the Duck and Aunt May have more lines than they do. Plus, characters like Spider-Man, the Hulk, Thor, or the Fantastic Four don't even appear here.
    Even without these titans of the House of Ideas, this was a good issue. It was very funny and I loved that She-Hulk got some major love in this special. But it was also very different. 
     I would look forward to sharing the holidays with my favorite Marvel characters every year. It would be the one time that I'd pay full price for a comic book as opposed to waiting to find it in a bargain bin years later. But quality and care at Marvel has waned over the years. That's why with this book, I waited until I found it for only a dollar during my 2016 FCBD exploits- thus why I'm reading and reviewing this book now...
     Over the years, DC has managed to evolve while still devoting it's focus to it's main body of heroes like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash. But with the influence of (relatively) new owner Disney (compared to how long Warner Bros. has owned DC), Marvel has been forced to shy away from many of their 'unprofitable' properties, as well as those that have been licensed out to other financial rivals of the House of Mouse. 
     Marvel's got another Gwenpool Christmas comic coming out next week. I may get one if I can find it. But because Marvel's owner seems more interested in attracting a new audience than pleasing comic fans who've been around for decades, my hard earn money is devoted to DC's new holiday special which also drops December 14th.
      A fun read that just doesn't feel as familiar as it used too.

   Worth Consuming

    Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Hulk Smash (the) Avengers

  This trade collects the 5-issue miniseries, of the same name, that examines the Hulk's tumultuous history with Earth's Mightiest Heroes. From becoming a founding member of the Avengers and quickly their arch-enemy all the way through to about 2010 when Bruce Banner temporarily lost his gamma powers and a mysterious new RED Hulk come on the scene, just about every major time period of these two colossal icons of the Marvel Universe is contained in this book!

   Along for the journey are some of the original creators behind these classic events. Featuring the writing and artistic talents of Avengers legends such as Tom DeFalco, Roger Stern, Ron Frenz, Michael Avon Oeming and many more, the only notable absences from this collection were Stan 'The Man' Lee and George Perez, who has the distinct of being the only many to draw every Avenger and Justice Leaguer ever! (Another presence sorely missed is the late Jack Kirby, who co-created the Avengers with Lee. If I had it, I'd poor a little ink out in his illustrious honor.)

   The book was a wild ride of different incarnations of the team as well as different versions of the Hulk. Along with the original Green Machine and Avengers line-up, readers of this collection will get a peak at the Gray Hulk, Banner-mind controlled Hulk, plus cousin She-Hulk, best bud Rick Jones,  along with the West Coast Avengers and the New Avengers.

   A must read for any collector of the Hulk or the Avengers (or both!)

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars. 

She-Hulk, Volume 2: Disorderly Conduct (Marvel NOW!)

   A business neighbor of Jen's hires She-Hulk, not for a case but to complete some superheroing work. The neighbor is a scientist, who along with his partner, are making strides in the field of shrinking organic material. Only, the partner has gone missing, and presumed shrunk- also, there's the nasty business of the formula not quite being perfected yet, so he might explode at any moment and take half of New York with him. Enter the pioneer of shrinking technology, Hank Pym, who along with She-Hulk and Hellcat, race against time in an adventure straight out of 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.'

    Then She-Hulk must travel to the West Coast to defend Steve Rogers in a wrongful death case dating back to his days before becoming Captain America. But will she be able to defend the aged Sentinel of Freedom when she learns that her civil court opponent is none other than the Man Without Fear, Matt 'Daredevil' Murdock.

   Lastly, Jen gets to the bottom of the mysterious Blue File. But, with nobody able to remember just what happened in the Dakotas, She-Hulk will have to use all of her technical legal resources available to find the answers she's looking for. Plus, she'll probably call in a few favors from the superhero community as all New York lawyers are able to do as well.

    This volume marks the end of yet another dynamic She-Hulk series that just couldn't find an audience. She's a fan favorite (and a favorite of mine), but she's more often looked at as a comedic sex-pot like Marilyn Monroe as opposed to a serious kick-ass superheroine. This should be considered a crime because while she's a very funny character, She-Hulk a top-notch Marvel hero to boot. 

    Another thing Jennifer Walters is is a crackerjack lawyer. But it might be this very reason that the series ended way too soon. The series writer, Charles Soule, claims in the book's afterword, that this series was meant to be heavier on law as opposed to action. Maybe that kept fans away but as a fan of the comedic law thriller 'Supernatural Law' I enjoyed the Law & Order approach to this series. 

   Some might argue that She-Hulk wasn't meant to go more than 12-issues because of everything going on with the Marvel reboot series Secret Wars. But, if that was the case, then She-Hulk would be returning with an all-new series later this year and that just doesn't seem likely to happen. Soule claims that this series was only planned for a year's worth of issues but I've heard that line so much, it's become a cliched excuse when a series ends early.

   I want to go back to the art for just a second. I have mentioned that She-Hulk is a cult favorite because of her sex appeal. Well, in this series, she's attractive looking but she's not cheesecake material. Series artist Javier Pulido has more of a Latin style in his work. It's big on using pastels and watercolors to flesh out the art. It can also give a character a bit of a blotchy look to them and it's not the cleanest of art styles. It's not quite Impressionist art, but it's close and I think this style makes She-Hulk look less like a goddess and more down to earth. If anything, I would bet that it's how she and the other females in this book are drawn that kept the fanboys away. Yet another crime of passion against the great green female superhero of the Marvel Universe.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

She-Hulk, Volume 1: Law and Disorder (Marvel NOW!)

Jennifer Walters has decided to branch out and start her own private law firm. Tired of being used as a bargaining chip to lure the superhero crowd into some prestigious firms as clients, She-Hulk decides that enough is enough and that she's ready to tackle some real cases. But with a reputation of being a hot head and in possession of  only one potential case- a mysterious brief called the Blue File, it's going to take everything in her arsenal to make it on her own.

    I love She-Hulk and this collection of Marvel NOW! issues written by Charles Soule builds upon the quirky nature of the past She-Hulk series crafted by John Bryne and Dan Slott. She's funny, sexy, and brilliant in one muscular green package. But unlike her previous series, this She-Hulk is a superhero who happens to be a lawyer instead of the other way around. What I mean is that Jennifer's law practice is more of the focus of this series than her superhero antics. If you like the Batton Lash series, 'Supernatural Law' then this is a series for you just replace the monsters with superheroes.

   'Law and Disorder' is filled with some fun new characters such as Jen's new paralegal and her capuchin monkey Hei-Hei and the wacky inventor type neighbors in the business complex that She-Hulk rents her office. There's also great support added to the mix with Patsy 'Hellcat' Walker as Jen's private investigator and the feline Tigra for added muscle.

The book was perfectly written and plotted with some crafty cases. First, Jennifer attempts to settle a lawsuit for copyright infringement with ex-lover Tony Stark. Then she motions for asylum for Kristoff Vernard, the son of Doctor Doom and finally she makes time to get to the bottom of just what is the Blue File. The document lists She-Hulk and several other members of the super-powered community as defendants. Only Walters doesn't remember ever being sued by some mystery man from North Dakota. When She-Hulk and her legal team manage to go investigating they uncover that whoever behind it has taken deadly steps in preventing the case from ever being reopened again.

   Though this volume closes the lid on the Blue File, I doubt that that's the end of it. Just last week volume 2 dropped and I hope to get my hands on that really soon. This series of She-Hulk was a great read to unwind to and not be pressured with too dramatic of a story line. I just hope that the art gets better.

   The first 3 or 4 issues were drawn Javier Pulido. His style evokes that of one of my personal favorites of all-time, Mike Allred. Even the inking and color scheme was similar. But the issues involving the Blue File were penciled and inked by a different artist, one Ron Wemberly. I was not a fan and nowhere near impressed.

   Wemberly's She-Hulk looked more like an office casual Gamora, complete with those dark green eyespots that are iconic of the most lethal woman in the cosmos. I might overlook such a thing if it wasn't for the fact that just about every other character is drawn like that too. An even worse offense is that the normally sexy Tigra is drawn in such a way that she looked like my cats when I give them a bath: like a wet rat. Like I said, not a fan- and I hope the series went back to Pulido's handiwork. I guess I'll be finding out soon.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny X-Men, Volume 4: Vs. SHIELD (Marvel NOW!)

Marvel keeps finding ways to reunite or pit the students of the New Xavier School and those of the Jean Grey School. This time, the mystery of who is behind the mysterious attacks of those pesky new Sentinels is revealed as both teams go on an all-out war with SHIELD.

But that’s not the end of the reunions because Scott Summers team is once again called back to Manchester, New York when the She-Hulk comes bearing the last will and testament of Professor X! Along with a shocking revelation as who Xavier left widowed, the two teams learn that they’ll need to join together to find a dangerous mutants whose powers are extremely wonky.

Finally when we get really for the good stuff wouldn’t you know it but Marvel hits you with a typical “To Be Continued…” So, I’ve got to wait until volume 5 to see what happens and learn the final details behind Professor X’s estate!

The action in this volume was intense. The art was amazing and Bendis continues to weave a masterful plot between the various coinciding X-Men titles. (He really puts X-Men legend Chris Claremont with his masterful attention to continuity.) Lots of shocking revelations and mysteries are solved. But there’s one bit of info that was seriously glossed over. In volume 3, the All New X-Men had been kidnapped into outer space by the Shi’ar Empire. Now in this book, they’re back. But no fuss is made over their reappearance or over what happened in their team-up with the Guardians of the Galaxy. I’m not really complaining as I’m really looking forward to reading that story one day soon but you’d think somebody would say “Hey, you’re back!” or something.

Another thrilling chapter in the Marvel Now! series of X-Men titles that’s very much Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.