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GODZILLA RULERS OF THE EARTH #10
This whole issue deals with the humans trying to relocate all the kaiju to an island paradise and Godzilla fighting those twin terrors from War of the Gargantuas, Gaira and Sanda. It'sa good, solid issue, but never being a huge Gargantuas fan I really could care less. But, if it were up to me, Gigan would be in every issue, so there ya go. I hope that the release next month of the new Godzilla film creates enough in terest to keep this book around. Rumor has it that we are done at issue 12 and that would suck. One complaint, no letters page? One of my favorite things about the book is the sense of community that the letters page brings to it. Oh well, maybe next issue.
NIGHTCRAWLER #1
Nightcrawler has always been one of my favorite X-Men. I did not stick around much past the late 80's early 90's with X books though so I really had no idea that he was dead. I have been reading Amazing X-Men so I am filled in on that there. (See below for reviews of the two recent issues)
So, Nightcrawler is back along with the little blue thingies that everyone refers to as Bamfs. Wolverine still has no healing factor and Nightcrawler is helping to test his new body armor. That goes well until Wolverine has a hissy fit and pops his claws, making himself bleed.
Then Nightcrawler goes to visit his sorceress girlfriend, Amanda and some weird dude in high tech armor tries to capture him. Yeah, he fails.
As number one issues go, it sets up things and that's about it. The artwork is great, the writing is pure Claremont. It's a good thing. It is also too soon to judge where this book is going, so we will just leave it at that.
AVENGERS A.I. #11
Hard to believe that it's been almost a year on this book. This was my replacement book when Uncanny Avengers started to suck.
I'm glad I've been here for this story, it is magnificent.
See, there is this villain A.I. who is trying to destroy all humanity. He dresses up like Iron Man, but he's a huge tool. Alexis, the A.I. who remembers none of her past is catapulted 10,000 years into the future where she learns that Dimitrios has succeeded and humanity is extinct. If that wasn't enough, Dimitrios is going to use Galactus and something called The Golden Knot to go past our universe and have words with our creator.
This will destroy existence in the process, but, well did I mention that Dimitrios was insane?
Well, now you know.
So, Alexis has to go back and convince her team that they have to save an outdated LMD (Life Model Decoy) named Jessie Clatterbuck because she holds the key to our extinction.
She is currently in the hands of S.H.E.I.L.D. and they have no idea what they are playing with.
This is my favorite Marvel book out right now.
The writing by Sam Humphries is always smart and the art by Andre Lima Araujo is just so gorgeous. It feels like a Heavy Metal story, but in the Marvel Universe. I have every issue and I will still probably buy the collected edition of this because it is so good and I convince other people to read it if I have it all under one book. If you are looking for an Avengers book that is unlike anything that Marvel has ever puit out then this is the one you need to get.
You will not be sorry.
Also, there is a one panel cameo by Devil Dinosaur and we all know how much I loves me some Devil Dinosaur.
AMAZING X-MEN #5 & 6
I'm going to deal with these two books at the same time because they deal with the end of the first arc of the series and the beginning of the second arc. Also, I bought them at the same time so it seemed fitting. (You'll see me doing the same thing with Superior Foes of Spider-Man after this so it will be like a theme. Or a thingie, not sure which.)
In issue 5 Kurt comes head to head with his father Azazel to show him who's boss. He triggers a deal with the Bamfs so that they can keep Azazel bound to Earth where he can do the least amount of harm. This is a good ending to the first arc that brings us back the fuzzy elf we all know and love. Sure, he seems a little broody at times, but apparently he paid a high price to come back. Yes, I know what that is and no, I'm not telling. Read the book already. It is one of the better ones coming out of Marvel right now and I think I'm saying that because I'm old and it reminds me of the X-Men books from the 80's.
Issue 6 deals with the welcome home party with every mutant on the planet showing up to see Kurt. Unfortunately, that means that his mother, Mystique is also there. It seems she has a bone to pick with Azazel and will stop at nothing to get at him. Kurt fails in capturing either of them and it seems that his parents have something brewing that can only spell trouble for Kurt.
This issue underlines the love that Nightcrawler and Wolverine have for one another in a purely platonic way and it makes me warm and fuzzy to see them reunited after so many years. I know how I complain anbout the temporary state of death in the Marvel Universe, but it's Nightcrawler for crying out loud!! Nightcrawler!! He's one of my favorites and I'm glad that he's back.
SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN #10 & 11
I'm going to go ahead and deal with both of these issues at the same time. They both feel like fill in issues to me. Issue 10 has some separate tales of Overdrive, Speed Demon and The Beetle drawn by guest artists and just feels like they are spinning their wheels. Where is Boomerang? How can you focus so much on this character and then forsake him for two issues? The worst page would be the next issue splash page that has the gang wearing or using other villains gear and then issue 11 comes out.
It deals with The Looter and The Grizzly getting their clocks cleaned by the Doc Ock version of Spider-Man. What does this have to do with anything we have been doing for the last ten issues. Hell, at least issue 10 had some of the main characters in it. This can't manage that even though it's the good art team for the book. I am going to go ahead and try one more issue, but this might be the end of my run on this book. Too bad, it was good while it lasted. Except for these last two issues.
There you go, the Easter edition of this ratty little column. In the end just remember Godzilla, Rulers of the Earth and Avengers A.I. are the go to books. The rest seems hit or miss.
