Guardians of the Galaxy #7 – Review

By Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (Writers), Paul Pelletier (Pencils), Rick Magyar (Inks), and Will Quintana (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: In my opinion, Guardians of the Galaxy is one of the most consistently entertaining and visually impressive books Marvel puts out. It effortlessly blends action, comedy, and drama into one hell of a satisfying package. The question now is whether or not the series can maintain momentum since Secret Invasion pulled the team apart. My guess is that it can.

The Story: The issue opens with a glimpse into a devastating future as described by Starhawk, who is being held in captivity by Cosmo the dog for precautionary reasons. Apparently, humanity’s future is doomed unless Starhawk can manage to correct an error occurring during the present time. Meanwhile, Rocket Raccoon’s new team of Guardians answer a cry for help from a colony in need that seems to be facing problems strikingly similar to the ones Starhawk spoke of. Adam Warlock seeks to find out more information regarding the Church of Universal Truth with the help of Gamora. As for Drax and Quasar, they are out in search of answers regarding someone named Cammi. And Starlord? Well let’s just say that he’s got problems as well.

What’s Good: Despite all the characters in play in this issue, the creative team once again knocks one out of the park. While mostly set-up for the future, the storyline provides for some great character work and extremely good looking artwork. While I may not have fully grasped the implications regarding some of the plot beats, I found myself completely entertained, thanks to the colorful cast of characters. Simply put, Guardians of the Galaxy #7 is another great chapter in an awesome series that seems to get better all the time.

What’s Not So Good: My only major complaint with the issue is that I felt a bit lost regarding some of the plot beats. While I am sure Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning will catch me up with everything next month, some of the impact regarding the story was simply lost on me.

Conclusion: If you aren’t reading Guardians of the Galaxy, you should be. ‘Nuff said.

Grade: B+

Looking for a Response: Anyone want to catch me up on what I might have missed regarding some of the stuff in this issue?

-Kyle Posluszny

Nova #18 (Secret Invasion) – Review

By Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (Writers), Wellington Alves & Geraldo Borges (Artists), Scott Hanna (Inker), and Guru FX (Colors)

What’s Going On: The big fight arrives as the Skrulls are trying to take Project PEGASUS. Nova, DarkHawk, and the newly resurrected Quasar are trying to stop them with no strategies employed, just a lot of punching and blasting, until the Xandarian WorldMind (also newly resurrected) introduces a new factor that may save them or just create a new level of danger.

What’s Good: It’s an exciting, good-looking issue, but honestly, the new Nova works best in cosmic situations. Back on Earth he’s just another superhero.

What’s Not So Good: Those who are nostalgic for the New Warriors should like this issue. Personally, I think blowing up the New Warriors and then frying Quasar were two of Marvel’s smartest moves. Hopefully Quasar’s resurrection will be as brief as the much better handled return of Captain Marvel.

What It All Boils Down To: This is really an obligatory Secret Invasion fill-in issue. I don’t think I’m the only one who’s had enough of the Skrulls now. The appearance of some semi-familiar aliens at the end of the book hints at a return to cosmic themes. Keep your fingers crossed.

Grade: C

– Andrew C. Murphy

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 – Review

By Marc Guggenheim (writer), Mike McKone (pencils), Andy Lanning (inks), Jeremy Cox (colors)

The Story: After a year of speculation, the mystery behind Jackpot is revealed. Spider-Man, fed up with the games and half-truths sets out to discover the identity of Jackpot and her motives. Little does he know that he’s going to discover more than he bargained for. Mutant Growth Hormone, drugs, and deceit all play a role in this surprising story that treads down a road the reader is most likely not expecting.

What’s Good? It’s a complete story and told in such a manner that readers not too familiar with Jackpot or Brand New Day will be able to follow along. The art by Mike McKone is clean and sharp in such a way that it fits perfectly with a Spider-Man book — or maybe it’s me enjoying Spider-Man rendered in a classic way. Either way you look at it, McKone’s work represents the character well.

Marc Guggenheim gives us some fun moments with Spidey and Jackpot doing their thing. It evokes memories of classic Marvel Team-Up action. I enjoyed these sequences and there seems to be genuine chemistry between the two characters.

What Sucks? The realization by Marc Guggenheim and the Spider-Man “Brain trust” that Jackpot is a useless character that’s run her course. I beg to differ, but that’s just me. Granted, the door is left open for Jackpot’s return, I just feel this character is a wasted opportunity. Also, the stupidity of the character blows the doors right open. I can’t believe the she lasted this long given her history with drugs and lack of training.

And then there’s Spider-Man chasing Blindspot around his home without using his webshooters to stop him. Talk about a waste of two pages. I’m sorry, but Spider-Man is not THIS stupid.

Finally, how is this Amazing Spider-Man #1? This is the 35th annual, people! Stop resetting the numbering to sell more copies. You can’t use this Brand New Day crap as an excuse forever.

Conclusion: This book plays out more like a double-sized issue than an annual. There’s no back-up stories, no pin-ups, no specials.  It’s a story that finally gives us some answers, yes, but the manner in which the answers are delivered leaves a lot to be desired (and feels cheap).

Grade: D

– J. Montes

Mighty Avengers #17 – Capsule Review

By Brian Michael Bendis (Writer), Khoi Pham (Pencils), Danny Miki and Andy Lanning (Inks), and Dean White (Colorist)

Can I get a refund? No, seriously? Because this is not only one of the weakest Secret Invasion tie-ins I’ve read, but it is one of the weakest issues I have ever read, period! Skrull-Pym tries to convince Skrull-Dugan that the invasion won’t work, and then they fight. No, that wasn’t the description of the first few pages, that was the summary of the issue. (Oops, spoiler warning, too late.) We even get three pages of what is essentially “It won’t work.” “Yes it will.” “No, it won’t.” etc.

The art wasn’t anything worth mentioning either. It doesn’t suck by any means, but Khoi Pham’s pencils certainly aren’t spectacular. Even being as pointless as this is, it could have been redeemed if it was relevant in the big scheme of things. But I don’t see anything in here that I think would be of importance later. Who knows, maybe Bendis will pull a fast one, and the secret of the Skrulls’ defeat lies somewhere in these pages. But until that happens, I’ll still consider this worthless. (Grade: D-)

-M. Staples

A Second Opinion

He’s being a little too harsh. This is hardly one of the worst issues you’ll ever read.

I’ll agree that Khoi Pham’s art, which I usually love is a bit uneven in this issue but the story is a poingant and strong one.  Sure, this issue is rife with more “connecting of the dots”, but I like how this whole story leads up to the Ultron story arc seen last year. It does a good job showing us how Hank found himself involved with Tigra. But there’s more to this story than backstory, it shows us how the Skrulls are making a costly mistake. Moreso, it shows us that there are even some things that they cannot control or predict; an inherent flaw in their invasion plan. And who knows – sooner or later is looks like it’s going to backfire. (Grade: B-)

– J. Montes

Guardians of the Galaxy #4 (Secret Invasion) – Review

Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (Writers), Paul Pelletier (Pencils), Rick Magyar (Inker), and Guru FX (Colorist)

I picked up the first three issues of this series within the last week because I just had to see for myself whether or not it was deserving of the strong reviews it had been getting. As it turns out, Guardians of the Galaxy is more than deserving of all the critical acclaim. While I have never really been a fan of heavy science fiction and have very little familiarity with the cosmic characters of the Marvel Universe, I was instantly hooked after reading the first issue. Tight storytelling, great characters/team banter, and gorgeous artwork is what makes Guardians a fantastic read and that excellence continues in the start of what looks to be a memorable Secret Invasion tie-in.

The most impressive thing about the story is that it ties into all the main themes of Secret Invasion without feeling forced in any way. In fact, the invasion paranoia is a natural outcome considering the nature of the characters, how the team came together, and the strange appearance of Major Victory. In order to avoid spoilers let me just say that tensions run high when an explosion rocks Knowhere to its very core. This event brings out the worst in all of its inhabitants and the Guardians find themselves subject to internal and external paranoia.

It has all been said before, so I’ll keep this short. Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning are absolutely incredible writers. They have a firm grasp on how to make the team dynamic work while allowing each member a chance to shine and even manage to keep the peripheral characters just as important as the main characters. Their overall plot seamlessly fits into the Marvel’s big event while also managing to give hints as to where things may go once the invasion is contained.

As for the artwork, I have nothing negative to say. The book looks absolutely fantastic in every way. The characters look great, the action is well choreographed, the colors pop, and everything flows just as it should. I wish all books could look this good.

If you aren’t reading Guardians of the Galaxy yet, (but are following the Invasion) now is the time to get a taste of the awesome that is Rocket Raccoon and the gang. I highly recommend tracking down the first three issues if at all possible, but if the search is unsuccessful the summary page does a nice job getting the reader up to speed. So, what are you waiting for? Get yourself caught up and jump on board this incredibly entertaining series. (Grade: A+)

-Kyle Posluszny

A Second Opinion

I think Kyle’s grade might reflect his feelings of the series more than the issue by itself. While I enjoyed this story quite a bit, I feel it’s the weakest offering so far. There’s nothing bad about this issue, per se, it just failed to wow me. This is most likely due to me being spoiled with the team’s constant dealings with galaxy shaking events (Annihilation, those crazy fissures, etc).Here, they’re confined to the Knowhere and other than the constant back and forth between Rocket Racoon and Cosmo, I didn’t find much more to get excited about.The bomb Starlord drops at the end is definitely a big one, and with Drax pissed off you know things are about to hit the fan. This is one of those story arcs that’ll let things stew before coming to a full boil. And I can already feel the heat. (Grade: B+)

– J. Montes

Amazing Spider-Man #567 – Review

By Marc Guggenheim (Writer), Phil Jimenez (Breakdowns), Andy Lanning (Finishes), and Chris Chuckry (Colors)

Within Amazing Spider-Man #567 we get a fairly satisfying conclusion to the “Kraven’s First Hunt” arc. The majority details how Peter saves Vin from Kraven. Due to being a extended fight scene this opens the door for two very important elements to make or break this issue: the fight banter and the art. Luckily, we get a double score. Marc Guggenheim’s Spidey humor is probably the best of the “Brain Trust.” Bob Gale’s is funny, but very old-school; Dan Slott’s is usually terrible; and Zeb Wells’ just isn’t memorable. Guggenheim, thankfully, knows how to use puns without seeming cheesy and also realizes that there are certain parts of the fight where Spidey shouldn’t joke. Some writer’s don’t seem to understand that while there are times for humor, but there are also times when Spidey should stop spewing out witticisms and get the heck outta there.

As for the second factor, the art is Phil Jimenez’s usual level of amazing. People seem to be hyped up for JR Jr.’s upcoming work on ASM. Heck with him, I wanna know when Phil is coming back! I’ve never been one well versed in describing what makes art good, so you’ll just have to settle with the fact that I think Jimenez is the best Spidey artist to come around in a long time. Every character has a lifelike quality, the depictions of action are flawless, and the rendition of Vermin is the best I’ve seen. When and if ASM goes back to being monthly, Jimenez is the man who gets my vote for full time artist!

The only real problem I had with this issue is Spider-Man’s explanation/apology to Vin for what happened. I realize that what he does is to keep Vin away from guessing that Peter is really Spider-Man, but surely there is a better way to do that. I know that Spidey has done several things in the past that hurt his reputation without taking the time to justify his actions, but I think this is the first time I’ve seen him flagrantly use his Spider-Man persona to give himself a bad name. Surely, there could have been a much better way to clear Vin’s suspicions than this. Peter’s a genius after all, don’t tell me his problem solving skills were also retconned with One More Day.

Lastly, the new Kraven’s identity isn’t too surprising. Sure, it will probably lead to a good story down the road. But the “big reveal” isn’t enough to make you jump out of your seat (especially because I’m pretty sure something similar has been done before with this character). Summing up, the first three-quarters were spectacular, though the ending could have used some improvement. Nonetheless, this has been a very enjoyable story arc. (Grade: B+)

-M. Staples

A Second Opinion

As usual, I disagree with my partner’s review. This issue is incredibly by the numbers and boring up until the fight is over. Only then, when we see the ramifications of said fight do things become interesting. Marc Guggenheim’s dialogue is fine, but his scripting of the fight is so predictable. I hate how easily Peter gets out of his Vermin predicament. I hate how it’s Vermin who comes to save the day. And I hate how Kraven finds a way to capture and defeat Vermin and not a single wince of how she did it is shown on page.

Give me a break.

I love Phil Jimenez’s body of work, but to say he draws a better Vermin than Mike Zeck is blasphemy. What started off as a fun storyline sadly concludes as a yawn fest. Talk about dropping the ball. (Grade: C-)

– J. Montes

Guardians of the Galaxy #2 – Review

By Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (writers), Paul Pelletier (pencils), Rick Magyar (inks), and Nathan Fairbairn (colors)

This book starts off a bit on the weak side with its obligatory fight scene and mindless banter. But after the action settles down and the crew is away from the atypical space-time “anomaly” and silly hostile aliens, the real fun begins. By all means, this book is a recipe for disaster. It’s set in the far reaches of space – away from the core of the Marvel Universe – and it’s comprised of a bunch of B and C-List characters. Yet, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning manage to make it work!

As they’re out in deep space, the team finds Captain America’s shield frozen in ice along with, as you can probably guess, a former shield bearing member of the original Guardians team. And like the premise that’s echoed in this issue, this team almost feels like the New Avengers… just in space. Eventually, the trouble the team got into (last issue) comes back to haunt them and this sets up what will most likely be another issue of fighting first and talking later.

The Guardians are filled with wide array of personas – most clashing, but the way they interact and speak of (and to) each other perfectly matches the camaraderie they’ve built since the Annihilation Conquest War. In a nutshell, they’re a reluctant family and that’s what makes this book engaging and humorous. I probably said this in last month’s review, but Rocket Raccoon is the true star of this book. Time and again he steals the scenes and the best jokes, but Cosmo, the talking space dog, isn’t too far behind.

Paul Pelletier’s contributions on art continue to be energetic and and infectious. He may not have a distinctive style or flash that sets him apart from other, more high-profile artists, but the man knows how convey action and tell a story. All his characters have a strong sense of weight and the subtle details (wrinkles, creases, stitchings, and accessories) put into their clothing/costumes really sells the package.

Honestly, this is what a great comic comes down to: Good times. This book is having a blast and we’re all invited. (Grade: A-)

– J. Montes

Amazing Spider-Man #562 – Review

By Bob Gale (Writer), Mike McKone (Pencils), Andy Lanning (Inks), and Jeromy Cox (Colors)

This should have been a good issue. It was written by Bob Gale, my favorite member of Spidey’s “Braintrust”. It featured the Bookie, a character who, up until now, I thoroughly enjoyed. And the mass advertising of it in other Marvel mags certainly made it seem like we would finally learn the mystery of the “Other Spider-Man” aka the Spider-Tracer Killer.

Not so.

I don’t want to spoil too much, but to be cryptic, the “Other Spidey” introduced in this issue is just that. Anyone likening to Brand New Day who has been looking forward to finally learning something about the mystery killer (that’s teased us over the last several months) will be severely disappointed. The Spider-Man featured here is a third Spider-Man created just to fool everyone into believing that they needed to pick up this book. Perhaps to add insult to injury, the true identity of this Spider-Man is an annoying character that I thought we had gotten rid of, only to return to further “grace” these pages with his/her/its presence.

This book wasn’t all bad. We get to see the complicated life of Peter Parker as he interacts with his supporting cast (which almost always provides for an entertaining read). Likewise, the interaction between the two “Spider-Men,” had plenty of classic Spidey quips that kept me chuckling. Perhaps the best part of the book was the visit to the home of the Bookie and the humor that bounced around between him and his family. Truthfully, I’m not sure if I feel sorry for the guy, but I could have read an entire issue of his family dilemmas because the dynamic that exists there is simply comical. Once again, attempting not to reveal anything, but we soon learn that the Bookie has done something that personally takes away my interest in the character.

The one saving point that runs throughout is the art. I wasn’t a fan of Mike McKone on Fantastic Four (his Sue looked just plain odd), but his art was flawless here. With the exception of Steve McNiven (who has no competition), McKone is perhaps the best artist to visit Brand New Day since Phil Jimenez. His characters never look cartoony, and he excels at illustrating the various “Spider-poses.” If we could get the art in Spidey to always revolve between McNiven, Jimenez, and McKone, I’d think I’d died and gone to comic heaven. Still, great art can’t save this issue from what it was: a cheat, a cop out, a con. Therefore, it gets a…  (Grade: C)

-M. Staples

A Second Opinion

Mister Staples has some interesting opinions regarding who he’d like to see on art. And while I agree that the three artists he mentions are all excellent, none will triumph more than the return of John Romita Jr. this summer. And how could he fail to mention Marcos Martin? Gah! Anyway, here’s what I thought about this issue…

I honestly didn’t feel cheated, but then again, it’s been so long since the Spider-Tracer Killer’s been touched upon (he’s always mentioned in passing like a running gag and that’s about it), that I could honestly care less when he’s revealed. That said, I knew who the “imposter” was immediately and it was way too easy to predict. It’s also a character that I think is (or should be) universally hated. And is it me, or is there really a good chance that Menace may be female (and a red head *wink wink*). Check out the way he/she’s drawn in this issue. Very curious.

As for the story, it moves around quite a bit and is packed with a lot of dense dialogue. Bob Gale doesn’t seem to know when to shut his characters up because they all ramble more than Spider-Man. To his credit, the scenes we’re given of the Bookie’s home life are pathetic and hilarious at the same time. The plot movement we get with a now unemployed Peter Parker is also welcomed. All in all, it’s a decent story that’s hampered with too much throw away dialogue.

Mike McKone’s art is excellent, by the way. He’s given the task of drawing a wide range of characters and villains with this issue and does a fantastic job on all of them. His storytelling excels too, especially during the rooftop chase scene. The lineage of great Brand New Day artists continues and Bob Gale once again proves he’s the weakest link of Spidey’s “Braintrust”. (Grade: C+)

– J. Montes

Nova #14 – Review

By Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (Writers), Wellington Alves (Penciler), Scott Hanna (Inker), Guru eFX (Colors)

This is part two of the current Galactus/Silver Surfer arc. Nova has been trying to help evacuate the planet Orbucen. This planet is next in the serving line for Galactus at the cosmic smörgåsbord. Nova attempts to plead for a little extra time from the big fella but is intercepted by the Silver Surfer and, well, the rumble is on! It’s a whale of a good fight and clocking in at almost half the issue, it’s one of the longest battles I’ve encountered in any recent Marvel books I’ve read. Generally speaking, I feel that long fights in comics are good things! So huzzah!

When the battle concludes and a compromise reached, the rest of the issue focuses on Nova on the surface of the planet. We get a real cliffhanger of an ending with our hero stuck in quite a tight spot which almost seems impossible to get out of. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ll be tuning in again in thirty days for the answer.

As I’ve gotten back into Marvel Comics over the past year I’ve found that while I may not always like what they do with the old standbys (Spidey, FF, Thor and others), I do very much like what they’ve been doing with their “B list” characters. Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, and Nova are among my favorite Marvel reads at the moment and this particular issue may well be my favorite of this run.

A big reason for my enjoyment is the art of Wellington Alves. Not only is the Surfer versus Nova fight nice and long but it is extremely well done. His figural work is first rate, dynamic, and fluid. They move and twist in space in believable ways. Alves also mixes up long shots and closeups creating a good action flow that moves nicely from one panel to the next. He employs a variety of angular panels reminiscent of Gene Colan on Dr. Strange, while treating us to two impressive splash pages (not including the opening splash). Alves is a new artist for me and I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.

Another feature of this series I really enjoy is the banter between Nova and the Worldmind. The Worldmind is dry and matter of fact in his statements leaving Richard Ryder to interpret the zingers tossed his way. This interplay is somewhat muted here as the tone of the book is rather serious – after all a world is dying, but it can be delightful and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention it.

All told, a very enjoyable issue and I look forward to the conclusion of this arc. (Grade B+)

– Arthur Cooke

Guardians of the Galaxy #1 – Review

By Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (writers), Paul Pelletier (penciler), Rick Magyar (inks), Nathan Fairbairn (colors)

This is how you write the first issue of a team book. Granted, if you’ve been following the Annihilation and Annihilation: Conquest series Marvel’s been running over the past two years, you’ll feel right at home, but for new readers the team chemistry is instantly realized. It helps that Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning have been writing these characters for a while too. It’s really amazing how quickly they’re able to introduce the roster, give us background of what’s transpired with the Annihilation storylines, thrust us right into the middle of a chaotic battle, and set the tone of what’s to come.

Guardians of the Galaxy is a smart space saga packed with some of the most likeable characters you’ll ever meet. Rocket Racoon may feel like an outlandish choice for the team, but he fits right in and will most likely be one of the most popular characters amongst readers. His sarcasm coupled with his tactical genius is one of the cornerstones of this book. The humor, not just by him, but by the rest of the team off-sets the serious implications they get themselves into. The way these guys fight together is completely chaotic, yet when they’re put into a pinch they always manage to get the job done. Abnett and Lanning have cleverly planned this series. We get a run down on how the chemistry of the team is kept in check, how they move around the universe, what what may become of them in the future. A lot of ground work has been laid in this first issue, and it’s very, very impressive to say the least.

Paul Pelletier is the unsung hero of this book. He’s the glue that makes it all come together. From page one he throws down the gauntlet giving us spectacular splash pages, engaging fights, and harrowing views of space. There’s absolutely nothing negative I can say about the art he’s done in this issue – it’s strong on every single front, and believe me, this book moves around a bit.

In a perfect world, this comic would be one of those big budget, science fiction epics we’d see on television a weekly basis. But since it’s not, the comic will have to do. If the creative team can keep this momentum going (and I have no doubt that they can given their track record on Annihilation and Nova), Guardians of the Galaxy will quietly become one of the best new series of 2008. (Grade: A)

– J. Montes

Nova #13 – Review

By Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (writers), Wellinton Alves (pencils), Scott Hanna (inks) and Guru eFX (colors)

I won’t lie, this was my first issue of Nova, and I’ve never Annihilation or Annihilation Conquest. I only picked this up because the Silver Surfer is supposed to play a big role in this arc. That said, I was quite impressed. The premise of the story is that Nova has to help evacuate the planet Orbucen which has been marked by Galactus for consumption. While on his quest, he runs into trouble in the form of a parasitic entity called Harrow, that possesses and controls the bodies of its hosts. While he is able to capture it, he runs into other problems which eventually bring him face to face with Galactus. I won’t spoil the ending, but it does indeed look as though the Silver Surfer will play a big part before this tale is over (though not the one you think!)

The story maintains its strength throughout and felt like a cross between an episode of Star Trek (I could swear there’s been a character like Harrow somewhere in Star Trek) and a summer disaster movie. As for Harrow’s character, I suspect that his presence on this world is more than mere coincidence. My theories: Either he is a dark secret of the aristocratic government, or he is somehow attached to Galactus so that he can feed upon hosts that are upon to be consumed. Whatever his story, I’m sure that he will escape and cause trouble at the most inopportune moment.

The art in this issue is spectacular, and helps to convey the epic scope of the story. I especially enjoyed the double splash page of Galactus. Wellington Alves also does a wonderful job of giving “human” facial expressions to non-human characters. Overall, an entertaining read. I’ll definitely be back next month to see where this goes. I recommend this to anyone interested in the cosmic corner of the Marvel Universe, especially if they’re Silver Surfer fans. (Grade B+)

-M. Staples

Amazing Spider-Man #554 – Review

By Bob Gale (writer), Phil Jimenez (pencils & inks), Andy Lanning & Danny Miki (inks), Jeremy Cox (colors)

Wow, this was a very unexpected issue. With the last two “Brand New Day” arcs, the stories lasted three issues. And while Bob Gale’s run is ending after three issues, the story isn’t over! Another thing that’s changed is the tone. There’s a few running gags still going, but overall, the humor has been toned down and with more attention going towards the plot(s).

Spidey’s bad luck (or the Parker luck, if you will), is the star of this episode. Already on the run from the law for not being registered and being accused of murder, Spidey’s now blamed for assaulting a mayoral candidate, murdering drug dealers, burning down a building, and well, you get the picture. Despite all this, Peter’s keeps his spirits high. He gets a nice check from the Daily Bugle, enjoys a night out with his friends, and even visits J. Jonah Jameson in the hospital (as Spider-Man), which leads to one hilarious scene.

As I said in my review of last issue, I’m not a big fan of The Freak. However, this issue goes into the concept and science behind him. Basically, every time The Freak is inflicted with a mortal wound, he goes into a cocoon like stasis. When he reemerges from it, he becomes immune to whatever might have killed him prior. So if he “dies” in a fire, he’ll be immune to fire when he comes back from his cocoon. It’s a fascinating concept that will most likely pay dividends down the line, story wise.

While the story line isn’t wrapped up this issue, it does a good job touching on all the underlying stories, while giving us a hint of things to come. Bob Gale is to be commended for working things out. I’m actually interested to see where this story with The Freak goes now. And Phil Jimenez wraps up his run with another issue of stunning visuals. (Grade: B+)

– J. Montes

Amazing Spider-Man #553 – Review

By Bob Gale (writer), Phil Jimenez (pencils), Andy Lanning (inks), Jeromy Cox (colors)

Bob Gale brings us another dense issue of Spider-Man! Like the previous issue, Gale packs the book with narrative and dialogue while Phil Jimenez fills each page with glorious panel work. You’re definitely getting your money’s worth, reading wise, but is the issue good? It’s a bit of a mixed bag.

I wouldn’t say the book’s boring or lacking on the humor front. I’m just not really sure if I like “The Freak” or not. He’s a pretty silly, ugly villain, and I find it hilarious that he’s got the dirtiest mouth in the Marvel Universe. But humor aside, he’s completely forgettable and not iconic in any sense. I mean, he’s basically this half human, platypus zombie looking thing – what’s so scary about that? And his powers? He can track Peter’s scent and he’s got super human strength and webbed hands. Webbed hands?! Who the heck thought of this concept?!

Now, if you can not be too distracted by this guy and just read the story for what it is, you’ll be plenty entertained. The opening panel will make you laugh out loud. Hell, the way the cops act throughout this book is pretty darn ridiculous. As soon as The Freak shows up on the scene, Officer O’Neil almost instantly shoots him in the head! What’s up with him not being suspended or put on leave while an investigation takes place?! Like I said, it’s ridiculous, and yet funny as hell.

There’s other plot points touched upon like Jameson finally getting a copy of the Daily Bugle, DB finally calling Peter by his proper name, and Carly’s father running for mayor, but most of this issue is centered around The Freak, his transformation, and his revenge against Spider-Man. I really can’t give anymore accolades to Phil Jimenez. He’s a stunning artist – perfect for Spider-Man. I don’t know if he designed The Freak or not, but I suppose Jimenez is drawing him as well as he can.

As the last page begs the hilarious question: Does Marvel hate politicians so much that they’re going to kill another? We’ll find out next, week! The book is still fun, no doubt about it. But it’s very hard to overlook the book’s one glaring flaw: The Freak. (Grade: B-)

– J. Montes

Amazing Spider-Man #552 – Review

By Bob Gale (writer), Phil Jimenez (pencils), Andy Lanning (inks), Jeremy Cox (colors)

It’s been nearly a year since Phil Jimenez’s glorious pencils have graced a Spider-Man book (last year’s Free Comic Book Day 2007), and that, my friends, is a year too long. Making his debut on Amazing Spider-Man, Jimenez’s pencils bring so much meticulous detail to each panel that you’ll find yourself stopping and just taking in the view. He not only knows how to draw oodles of people, but he also understands that New York, itself, is a character and brings it to life from the ground level. If you look closely, you’ll spot some funny cameos (which made me laugh).

So how was Bob Gale’s debut as writer? Well, he’s not as funny as Dan Slott (who’s still the Spider-Man writer to beat), or Marc Guggenheim, but that’s only because he doesn’t write too much humor into the issue. When he does, it’s pretty good, but for the most part, the Spidey that Gale writes is more of the rambling type. That said, there are a few moments that did make me laugh out loud, but those laughs came at the expense of silly cameos and easter eggs – and who knows if those were his idea or the editor or letterer’s.

What Gale does do is give us one heck of packed book – it’s completely loaded with dialogue. First we’re updated on Jonah’s situation; he still has no clue that the Bugle’s not his. Then we’re shown how crazy things have gotten at the Bugle with sensationalism completely taking over. Next, we’re introduced to The Freak, a common druggie / thug who gives Spidey a lot more trouble than usual. It’s really too early to tell if this new villain will be worthy of Spidey’s rogue gallery. Something about him seems “off” (no pun intended).

Feeling more like a double-sized issue, this book goes touches on just about every subplot that’s part of the Brand New Day storyline. Peter’s supporting cast is back in full force and it’s great to see him interacting with his circle of friends. I’m really interested to see where this whole thing with Carly goes! This issue’s not as funny, but it’s a good read. Gale and Jimenez have created a dense book that’ll keep your eyes occupied for a long time. (Grade: B+)

– J. Montes