Took a Day off from Blogging...

Went to the movies- Be Back Tomorrow!

The Adventures of Captain America: Sentinel of Freedom #1

It’s 1991 and you’ve got to ask yourself, “Is another retelling of Captain America’s origin really needed?” In this case, I would have to answer, “YES!” This four-part mini-series lays a much needed foundation repair to the story of how 98-lb weakling Steve Rogers turned into a muscular symbol of American freedom. Also, without this story, I think much of the modern day success of the Captain America family as well as the recent collection of films about the Sentinel of Liberty would never come to bear.

The story starts as usual, frail Steve Rogers wants to serve his country, but is turned don’t when he fails his physical. Inspired by his patriotism, a scientist working on a formula to create an army of American super soldiers, drafts Rogers into his project and within hours is transformed into Captain America. That’s how the story unfolds in the 1940s origin of Capt. But in this retool; Rogers must prove himself by succeeding in a number of tests as well as become trained in military discipline and tactics. 

One of the candidates in a former college football star named Jake Windmere. What’s notable about him is that he is the only black recruit for the Super Soldier project. I believe that without his addition to this story, you wouldn’t have the fantastic story Truth: Red, White, & Black which introduces us to the Isaiah Bradley, the black Captain America.

I thought that this opening chapter was superb and I felt like I was reading an early draft of Captain America: the First Avenger. It’s a great appetizer for the Winter Soldier movie that I should be going to see tomorrow. This book has fantastic art and the watercolor palette is perfect for that sepia toned old-timey look. Amazing stuff.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four #5

It’s the final battle between Reed Richards and Von Doom with Atlantis stuck in the middle. The battle is epic and with some awesome cameos at the end, it’s leaves the reader with an unsettling conclusion and a mind-blowing opening for a sequel. Though, it’s been several years since this book was published, so I highly doubt that will ever happen.

 

The thing about this book I hate the most is the cover. Reed looks like he’s mutating into a cross between that pointy Spider-man villain Stryke and Man-Bat. It’s pretty gross looking.

 

With awesome art, a Fantastic storyline, and a careful eye for detail, especially in regards to trying to be as historically accurate as possible, it’s a must for fans of Fantastic Four or alternate timelines. It’s a very good read.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

 

Happy Easter!

Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four #4



Alternate Cover to issue #4.

The uneasy alliance of the crew of the Fantastic, the Frightful Four, and Doom continues as all awaken to find that they have survived their plunge off the edge of the world. As a result, the characters find themselves in Atlantis, which in this reality, hasn’t sunk, only shrouded itself with some fancy “smoke and mirrors” to keep away nosy sailors. In other words, the world is round, but the residents of Atlantis have crafted the clever rouse of a flat earth in order to protect themselves from invaders.

The leader of Atlantis is you guessed it, Prince Namor- the Sub-Mariner. He’s got eyes for Sue Storm, whose recent burst of protective powers of the Fantastick has now made her the Visible Woman. Apparently, the Storm family in the 1600s is really hot, as Namor’s cousin Namorita has eyes for Jon Storm as well.

Once these Atlanteans have made their wanton intentions known, the diabolical Doom works in the shadows to bring an end to Reed Richards. In return for the betrothals of the Storms, the residents of Atlantis will destroy Richards, Grimm, and their ship. It’s classic Victor Von Doom callousness. Strangely, I like it. Though, Sue Storm mustn’t be showing very well, because I find it hard to believe that Namor would be so interested in her if he knew she’d been knocked up by a human (in this timeline, Richards and Storm are having their child out of wedlock, something I highly doubt Stan Lee would’ve allowed in the 1960s even if the Comics Code didn’t exist.)

I enjoyed this issue. I really thought the subterfuge behind the protection of Atlantis and sailors’ thinking they would sail off the edge of the world was a stroke of genius. I’m very interested in reading what happens next, though I must say, this was probably the weakest of the issues in the series thus far.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four #3

 

Facing the peril of falling off the face of the earth, the crew of the Fantastick, the Frightful Four, and Doom must form a temporary alliance. You know it’s not going to last once doom finds an angle to bend things to his advantage.

 

This is why I hate Victor Von Doom. He’s such a sleaze ball. But, this book does an excellent job portraying that. Thankfully, Reed Richards as well as the rest of his crew knows not to trust Doom any more than necessary.

 

A very good middle chapter. Why this series is 5 issues long and not 4 is beyond me. I think it should be a requirement that if your comics’ title has a number in it, that any mini-series should have no more or no less than that number of issues in it. Thus any Fantastic Four mini should only have 4 issues. But hey, that’s just me.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Locke & Key, Book 6: Alpha & Omega

I didn’t intend to read a Joe Hill book right after reading a book by his famous father, Stephen King. It just happened. I’ve been reading Locke & Key since it first came out in hardback starting in 2009. I’ve gone through many ups and downs with the Locke family and their adventures with the magical keys of Keyhouse.

 

I’m actually glad this series is over. I didn’t hate it and I wasn’t disappointed with this volume in the least. But, I hate when series overstay their welcome and become dull and boring. Thankfully, Hill and his partner in crime artist Gabriel Rodriguez closed the door to the series before things got stale.

This volume contains the final chapter of Locke & Key. Unlike some finales there really wasn’t any plotlines left untidy. I felt like there was absolute finality in the series, especially with the touching reunions seen in the final chapter. Maybe Hill & Rodriguez will revisit the Keyhouse with a new family or even explore more of the origins of the House and the keys. But for now, I’ve got closure and I am very satisfied with it.

 

This is not a series for all-ages. Lots of sex, gore, and violence abound in this final volume. The action and dialogue was fast paced and epic. I see big things for Joe Hill and I hope he decides to explore the graphic novel/ comics medium again real soon.

 

(FUN FACT: NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THIS BOOK, THERE IS A FLASHBACK SCENE OF A CAR ACCIDENT. IN ONE PANEL, YOU SEE AN EMT WORKING ON A VICTIM, WEARING A YELLOW COAT. IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT THIS IS A CAMEO OF STEPHEN KING IN A NOD TO HIS NUMEROUS APPEARANCES IN FILMS BASED ON HIS NOVELS. IT’S A VERY COOL TRIBUTE TO THE “KING” OF HORROR.)

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.