We’re back for another exciting installment of our Dark Reign “live blog.” If you’re new to the blog, Josh and I have been reading–and recapping–every Dark Reign title and tie-in each week, and posting a new review every week! Some books we’ve liked, some we haven’t. But this is week 19, and frankly, I don’t see the end of the story arc coming soon. Who’s gonna take down Norman Osborn and his cabal?
There are five comics to review this week, and while we try not to give away too much in these recaps, beware: SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Frank Castle continues his assault on crime in Punisher #5. His target: The Hood. I’m not so sure I like the way he infiltrates the ultra-secret Hood base of operations. It doesn’t feel Punisher-y enough.
Other than that, it’s a pretty okay issue. With one of his former allies working against him now, I think this series is going to heat up soon! There’s a nice little scene on page 26 with Norman shaving, and I’m finally starting to come around to the notion of The Hood being a viable villain. Get this issue and let me know what you think. I’ve had mixed feelings on it so far, but I’m sure as hell looking forward to Punisher #6 now.
Agents of Atlas #5 was different from past issues–no flashbacks, and thus no second set of artists. While I missed getting more back story on the Agents’ past adventures, the main story had plenty of excitement to offer!
Agents of Atlas is a little corny at times, but I’m really enjoying it. In this issue, the Agents, who are masquerading as bad guys, get into it with the New Avengers! Turns out they want to be beaten, so they don’t have to go through with supplying Norman Osborn with weapons. It looked like the New Avengers were catching on for a moment, but thankfully that passed, and we got a rock-’em, sock ‘em fight scene! I’m eagerly looking forward to Agents of Atlas #6.
Skrull Kill Krew #2 is kind of a throw away issue for me this week. The art’s still great though . . . so it’s a fun read for that alone. Robinson, DiSalvo, Getty, and Mossa are all earning their money this week.
The Krew heads to the rodeo and wouldn’t you know it . . . there are Skrulls in them thar bleachers! A certain feral mutant shows up and lends his claws to the event, and Moonstomp comes back into the picture.
Not that I expect much, but I don’t really know where this book’s going. We’ll see next month in Skrull Kill Krew #3.
I took over reading Dark Reign Fantastic Four #3 for Josh this week, since most of the Dark Reign comics out yesterday were originally his titles. So I was a little confused when reading this. Not sure what it’s supposed to be. Reed is investigating alternate universes to try to troubleshoot what went wrong during the (Marvel) Civil War, and the other three teammates are trapped in collapsed space-time. Meanwhile, kids Franklin and Valeria are home alone, and Norman Osborn is trying to shut the Fantastic Four down!
This book was amusing in places, but it felt like a mishmash of jokes the writer has wanted to tell and pinups the artist wanted to draw. It’s not terrible, but it’s definitely filler. We’ll see if this changes in Dark Reign Fantastic Four #4!
Finally, we’ve got Thunderbolts #132. Widow’s spying on her teammates, Paladin in tights, and a sociopathic puppy-killer with a death fixation.
I’m trying not to give too much away here…this issue is a little above-par with how the series has been going recently. If you’ve been reading Thunderbolts, you should dig this issue.
See you back here next month for Thunderbolts #133.
What did you think of this week’s titles? Want to speculate about Thunderbolts? Excited for H.A.M.M.E.R. to storm Avengers tower next month? Let us know below.
