Written by Josh@TFAW
It’s week 20 of our Dark Reign live blog! Okay, we’ve got seven issues to recap this week. There are some great ones in there, but also some stinkers! This week also brings some new titles into the mix. As always, we try not to give away too much in these recaps, but beware: SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Holy cow! Wolverine Origins #36 is freaking sweet! I won’t let the cat out of the bag, but Logan’s worst fear has been realized.
We actually sold out of this issue just a few minutes ago, folks. Yep, this comic is even more popular than we imagined. For those of you who missed out, we’ll order some more and put them into inventory when they get here.
For the rest of you, make sure you get your pre-orders in soon for Wolverine Origins #37. It’s gonna be epic!
Dark Reign: The Hood #1 kicks off a five-part miniseries starring The Hood, one of Marvel’s newer super villains. We’ve seen him floating around Dark Reign as a member of Norman Osborn’s Cabal, and now we get a book focusing exclusively on him. Is it a worthwhile read? The jury’s still out.
There’s an interesting idea in there: The Hood started out as, well, a hood who is now possessed by a demon and lives a double (or even triple?) life. He’s an emerging crime boss on the one hand (and the lover of Madame Masque), but at the end of the night, he heads home to a crummy apartment and his wife and kid. It’s kind of like, what if Spider-Man were a crazy villain while married to Mary Jane? The fact that his name is “Parker” makes me wonder if this is intentional. I’m interested to see where Dark Reign: The Hood #2 will take this.
It just keeps on getting better. Last time we saw Elektra, she was a little the worse for wear. In Dark Reign Elektra #3, we find that Foggy took her to get patched up.
But when there’s a bounty on your head, there’s no time for recuperating! Trouble seems to follow Elektra wherever she goes! Plus, Elektra has info on the Skrulls that Norman Osborn will do anything to get. Dangerous times to be a Skrull on Earth, that’s for sure.
The art in this book is 110% awesome. Even if you haven’t followed Elektra’s Dark Reign escapades, you’ll be able to appreciate it for the artwork alone. See you back here next month for the penultimate Elektra Dark Reign tale: Dark Reign Elektra #4.
New Avengers #53 was highly enjoyable, as usual. I’ve never read any Avengers titles before Dark Reign, so it’s really interesting for me to like a new superhero team. I freakin’ love the interaction between all of the members, especially Spider-Man, who is consistently hilarious. Him and broody Luke Cage? Beautiful.
Here’s the story: Doctor Strange is no longer Sorcerer Supreme, and the Eye of Agamotto (you know, the thing that used to hold up Strange’s cape) is on the loose, seeking the next in line. The Hood, who is possessed by the demon Dormammu, is after it, and a likely candidate shows up, but the end is a real shocker–and a travesty, according to a friend of mine downstairs in the warehouse. I have a question for the better informed: who the heck is Brother Voodoo? Hopefully New Avengers #54 (or one of you) will tell me.
I feel like a kid in a comic book shop. I’ve been waiting for Spidey to show in Dark Reign, and in Amazing Spider-Man #595, it’s finally happened.
The issue starts out pretty simple. Harry and Peter living it up in Central Park. Then Peter goes off to work. After that, Spider-Man goes to work. After getting some sage advice from a mutant with crazy chops and claws coming out of his fists, Spidey decides it’s time to go after Norman. Why not pick a fight with the most powerful man in the world?
This was a really fun issue, and the developments herein really make me think that Norman has to be one of the best chess players in the world. Don’t forget to get your pre-order in for Amazing Spider-Man #596. From the looks of it, there’s gonna be a throwdown!
I’ve really been enjoying this title, but Ms. Marvel #39 was a bit of a disappointment. I’m not a fan of the manga-style art by Sana Takeda–although it’s pretty, it’s a huge change for the title. I thought we’d be exploring more of just who Karla Sofen is, but I was left a little confused at the end. Psychic disembodied baby heads need Ms. Marvel? Wha?
But let’s go back to the beginning. Osborn has set Ms. Marvel on A.I.M., trying to form an “alliance” with them. When they respond by dropping a meteor on New York City, she brings it to them in Atlanta–hard–in a gorgeous shot. It was kind of awesome to see the power the new Ms. Marvel wields, and funny to see the major differences between what she told Osborn went down and how she actually handled the situation. I guess that’s what happens when you employ criminals, Normie! I’m looking forward to Ms. Marvel #40, I just hope we see more of what makes Karla tick.
Okay, sure, Avengers Initiative #24 is a veritable cornucopia of throw-away characters. Once you get over that point, you can actually start enjoying this book.
The art is pretty good, the pacing is quick, and there’s a lot of action. I’m not too familiar with Bengal, but Typhoid Mary seems pretty freaking interesting, and I’m looking forward to seeing Constrictor in Iron Man 2, so it’s good to see him in this issue. That brings us to Taskmaster. We’ve seen him recently in Deadpool and he seemed pretty funny there, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he does as the head of the Initiative in Avengers Initiative #25. We’ll see . . .
Damn, did Avengers Initiative get good just when Elisabeth passed it on to Josh (doubtful)? What Dark Reign titles are you guys enjoying? Post your comments below!
