Hey guys! We’re back once again to “liveblog” Marvel’s Dark Reign comics event. This week features some great issues, and . . . some that are less than great. As with all our product reviews, we’ll do our best not to give away anything too major, but reader beware: SPOILERS AHEAD!

In the debut issue of Secret Warriors, Nick Fury learned some shocking information that threw his whole life’s work into question: the mega crime organization Hydra had been controlling S.H.I.E.L.D. all along! Now decades of work have been revealed as twisted and corrupted, and ol’ Fury is looking for payback!

In Secret Warriors #2, Nick strategizes with Daisy, while the new team struggles with their future–and prepares to send one of their own into the arms of the enemy! Also, we see a flashback to Baron Von Strucker and see what he was up to during Secret Invasion. The answer: nothing good. I’m interested to see where this goes in Secret Warriors #3!


The Crimson Comedian is back for more action in Deadpool #8. Wade Wilson has a bone to pick with Norman Osborn, and that means a trip to Avengers Tower!

A couple of the pages are a bit slow in the beginning there, with some witty banter thrown in to keep the reader going, but the fun starts when Deadpool starts one of his hallucinations to pass the time. Join Deadpool on his trip up the magic beansalk (elevator shaft) and his confrontation with the Giant (Osborn) at the top.

If you’re a fan of Deadpool or a Dark Reign completest, you’ll want to get this issue. Not much happens in this issue, so it seems a little slow, but that can only mean that some good stuff is about to happen next month in Deadpool #9!


Agents of Atlas Comic BooksI’m continuing to enjoy Marvel’s retconned super squad from the ’50s, with Agents of Atlas #2. Part old-fashioned serial, part modern-day adventure, Agents of Atlas features two concurrent stories: one set in the present day, and one that takes place back in the ’50s. It even has different artists working on each story line, giving each tale a distinct look and feel.

In the present day, the Agents are dealing with a bear of an arms dealer–and a know-it-all second in command, who has been foisted on them by Mr. Lao. In the past, they’re investigating a mysterious Soviet MIG that keeps appearing at random intervals. The old-school story has some great touches–beatniks, accusations of being a “Commie,” and beautiful, potentially dangerous love interest for Jimmy Woo. Are these two stories somehow connected? Hopefully, Agents of Atlas #3 will shed some light on the matter.


T’Challa’s prognosis isn’t looking too good. Doom has left his mark, and a new Black Panther must be chosen. That’s the basic premise of Black Panther 2 #2.

I’ve got to say that I’m digging this book a lot more than I thought I would. Black Panther has never been one of my favorite Marvel characters, so I considered this a throw-away title.

I like this book because T’Challa isn’t just a superhero, he’s also the leader of Wakanda and serves as the figurehead of Wakandan spiritual belief. He’s got to strike a balance between the needs of his people, his superhero duties, and his wife (Storm). Black Panther 2 really does a good job at hitting that point home.

See you back here next month for Black Panther 2 #3.


New Avengers: The Reunion #1 is the first of a four-part series focusing on Mockingbird and Ronin (formerly Hawkeye). Mockingbird and Ronin aren’t an ordinary couple–she was presumed dead, and then it turned out that she had been snatched by the Skrulls years before, only to be returned at the end of Secret Invasion.

Now Barbara “Bobbi” Morse is ready to take her life back, and she wants to do it without interference from anyone–including her estranged husband, or the Avengers! However, Clint isn’t giving up on his esrtwhile mate. He’s there by her side, for better or worse, whether she likes it or not (spoiler: she doesn’t). It’s a little soap-opera-y, but I’ll withhold judgment until I see New Avengers: The Reunion #2.


Reed Richards is one of the top three most brilliant minds in the Marvel Universe. His intellect is astounding, and his scientific acumen is unparalleled. Why is it that he makes such bad decisions?! That’s what perplexes me about Dark Reign Fantastic Four #1. Don’t get me wrong, I dig the book, but come on, man!

Reed’s devised a “bridge” to parallel Earths and he thinks he’ll find the solution to our Earth’s little Reign-y day somewhere out there. When Osborn sends H.A.M.M.E.R. to decommission the team sworn to protect New York, something goes awry. Really awry. Remember in Ghost Busters when the EPA shut off power to the station? It’s kinda like that.

The landscape of Dark Reign has totally changed! I can’t wait for Dark Reign Fantastic Four #2.

So how are you folks enjoying Dark Reign? Is it forming a cohesive story, or do some titles feel a little off track? Personally, I’m wondering why some titles (like Mighty Avengers) have been included, but maybe I’ll be surprised when it all comes full circle.

Author : Elisabeth@TFAW