Daredevil: End of Days #8 – Review

By: Brian Michael Bendis, David Mack (Writers), Klaus Janson, Bill Sienkiewicz, David Mack (Artists), Matt Hollingsworth (Colorist)

The Story: Timmy, Ben Urich’s son, has to learn how to cope with his father’s death as he tries to piece out just what his old man had been working on.

The Review: How easily could everything have failed…With the scope of this series and just what everything Bendis and Mack tried to do here, it could have been a dud, yet this is some splendid stuff. In short, if you believe yourself to be a fan of either Daredevil or Brian Michael Bendis, you need to read this issue, plain and simple.

What we get here is a love letter to the whole mythology behind Daredevil, referencing the story of the character, the influential run that cemented what the character is about and just how it could very well have ended. Bendis and Mack do their best in bringing in what people loved about Daredevil and they succeed, taking risks such as killing arguably the most important characters in the mythos: Ben Urich and Matt Murdock themselves. Yes, Ben Urich is dead and the story is told with Timmy’s viewpoint, who has been revealed to be the new Daredevil, the one that had been trained by Matt himself.

Daredevil: End of Days #7 – Review

By: Brian Michael Bendis, David Mack (Writer), Klaus Janson, Bill Sienkiewicz (Artists), Matt Hollingsworth (Colorist)

The Story: Ben Urich follows some more leads for the mystery behind the Mapone mystery and the secret of the newer Daredevil.

The Review: If there is one character that I always love to see Bendis write, it has to be Ben Urich. I do love how he always seems to go out of his depths in search of a story, while he seems to be always relatable and just plain interesting. This is a man that always get involved in the adventures of Daredevil, throughout the happy times, but mostly through the harder perils of the life of Hell’s kitchen protector.

Daredevil: End of Days #6 – Review

By: Brian Michael Bendis (Writer), David Mack (Writer/Artist) Klaus Janson, Bill Sienkiewicz, Alex Maleev (Artists), Matt Hollingsworth (Colorist)

The Story: Ben Urich gets saved by the new Daredevil and continues his investigation, this time trying to talk with some of the villains in Matt Murdock’ life.

The Review: It seems that Brian Michael Bendis is on fire right now. With his All-New X-Men being great, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man being still the best part of the whole Ultimate universe and set to debut Guardians of the Galaxy this month (for real, I mean, with a #1 issue), he seems to be on top of his game. He seems fully reinvigorated, with his writing skills just like when he started writing Ultimate Spider-Man and Daredevil.

How fitting it is then that one of his strongest inputs in years is his ode to the death of Matt Murdock. Having killed him right in the very beginning of the series, we have followed Ben Urich (probably one of the characters that Bendis handles the best) as he tried to solve the mystery of his death and of Daredevil uttering of the word ‘’Mapone’’. What started as a homage to Citizen Kane as Urich started to question the entourage and loved ones of Matt Murdock has quickly evolved into something else thanks to this issue, as it adds some new elements to the game that are handled quite well.

Daredevil: End of Days #5 – Review

By: Brian Michael Bendis, David Mack (Writers), Klaus Janson, Bill Sienkiewicz (Artists), Matt Hollingsworth (Colorist)

The Story: Ben Urich continues his talk with the Punisher in The Raft and then meet some more people to learn about Matt Murdock and the meaning of the word ‘’Mapone’’.

The Review: This limited series is a dream for those who were fan of the Miller and Bendis/Brubaker era of Daredevil. Being a remembrance of those previous times, it is a stark contrast to the much more optimistic and upbeat comic that Mark Waid is writing, yet it is a fitting homage to those eras that is showcased here.

Indeed, much here seems like a trip to memory lane for the old fans, with all of the characters that had been recurring to the Hornhead. Bullseye, Elektra, Typhoid Mary have been already shown to us, demonstrating what kind of futures they would get in the world imagined by Bendis and Mack. Here, we get Punisher, Melvin Potter (The Gladiator, an old enemy of Daredevil that turned good in Miller’s run) and a bit about Foggy Nelson.

Daredevil: End Of Days #4 – Review

By: Brian Michael Bendis, David Mack (Writers), Klaus Janson, Bill Sienkiewicz, Alex Maleev (Artists), Matt Hollingsworth (Colorist)

The Story: Ben Urich continues his investigation with the discovery of Bullseye’s dead body and an encounter with a very special case in prison.

The Review: Daredevil: End of Days could become one of the quintessential Daredevil stories. Full of moments that shows just where the key players in the ongoing saga of the Man Without Fear could turn up, it is essentially boiling down the Bendis, Miller and Brubaker eras of the book, two eras that are loved and cherished by fans.

Of course, since it is cowritten by Bendis, there are plenty of references to what has come before and other easter eggs in the storytelling methods. It is clear by reading that series so far that both Bendis and Mack are aficionados of Citizen Kane, Orson Welles’ masterpiece, incorporating its basic structure for the plot of the limited series. They just had to replace ‘’Rosebud’’ with ‘’Mapone’’ and there you go.

Incredible Hulk #600 Review

By Jeph Loeb (writer), Ed McGuinness (artist), Mark Farmer (inker), Dan Brown & Chris Sotomayor (colorists)

“WHO IS THE RED HULK?! THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN IS GOING TO TRY AND FIND OUT! GREEN HULK! RED HULK! SPIDEY! SECRETS REVEALED! A STORY SO BIG IT CAN BARELY BE CONTAINED IN THE INCREDIBLE 600TH ISSUE OF HULK! ALL THIS AND A STARTLING SURPRISE ENDING TO TOP ALL THE OTHER SHOCKING SURPRISES THIS HULK BOOK IS KNOWN FOR!”

I wanted to include Marvel’s original solicitation for this issue to illustrate how marketing gimmicks like this are more evil and alluring than the Dark Side of the Force and never to be trusted under any circumstance.  I also wanted to show you exactly what it was that sold me on the issue in the first place, a measly fifty-eight words that I will gladly kick my own ass for buying into when we’re done, here.  The point I’m trying to make is that it’s all too easy to believe the hype surrounding special event comics like this, but when companies are raising cover prices to all time highs it’s these kinds of comics that need to be scrutinized most carefully; especially if you’re going to show how something like this fails to deliver the goods.

The heart of this massive tome is the story by Loeb and McGuiness, told from the perspective of Ben Urich, the only reporter alive in the 21st Century who refuses to use a typewriter. In a scene that would make Woodward and Bernstein fall to their knees and cry, Urich is called to a meeting by a thoroughly paranoid She-Hulk and charged with the task of discovering Who Is The Red Hulk? Remember this point, because it’ll be important later on. Urich and Peter Parker (did I mention that She-Hulk specifically asked Urich to bring along a photographer? Wow, how convenient.) join She-Hulk and Doc Samson to infiltrate a government facility called Gamma Base. There, the group discovers that Marvel’s favorite angry head M.O.D.O.K. has reactivated the terrorist cell A.I.M., and that he may be receiving help from General Ross.  The revelation is interrupted though when Samson suddenly reverts to a Hyde-like version of himself and attacks She-Hulk. From there, things get complicated as Red Hulk suddenly appears from nowhere to beat on Spider-Man, while Banner suddenly awakens from his induced coma to turn into Hulk and throw down with his evil counterpart.

Sensing a trend here? Practically everything happens out of the blue for no apparent reason, other than Loeb wanting it to at that particular moment. He constantly fails to set up these moments in ways that justify their existence, and as a result they come off feeling shallow and self-serving. Remember how I said Urich’s goal was to find out who the Red Hulk was? Yeah, well, he suddenly decided not to. “If all you do is focus on the Red Hulk you’re going to miss the big picture”, Urich observes. Really? Looking at the solicitation, I thought the Red Hulk was the whole point! This discrepancy suggests that either Loeb deliberately misled his readers into shelling out five bucks for a cocktease, or he is losing the ability to tell cohesive stories that don’t rely on shameful misdirections and obnoxious slights of hand. Either way, your buying dollars would be better spent elsewhere.

Grade: D

-Tony Rakittke

Secret Invasion: Front Line #5 – Review

By Brian Reed (Writer), GG Studios (Art), Marco Castiello (Pencils), Barbara Ciardo (Colors), and Amerigo Pinellio (Asst. Colorist)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: After an extremely promising start, the latest installment in the Front Line series has sort of stumbled to the finish line (sounds like the main Invasion series more than a little bit eh?). And to be honest, I’m not exactly sure why that is, considering that the characters and situations have been compelling enough to hold my interest. I suppose my main complaint is that the story just hasn’t captured the situation as well as I’d hoped it would. With that said, I am still very interested in seeing how Brian Reed and his creative team handles the street level reaction to the main event battle in New York.

The Story: With only a few brief shots of the gigantic Secret Invasion battle, the final chapter of Front Line mostly deals with the aftermath of the event and the personal toll it has taken on the survivors. Journalist Ben Urich finds himself suffering from writer’s block while coping with the loss of his wife and the rise of someone he has written about. Melanie Crane deals with the trauma of losing her father. Officer Bill Dawson takes a desk job and pursues a relationship with fellow survivor Lisa Dobson.

What’s Good: If you can deal with the approach the book uses in regards to the event it is tied to, Front Line #5 proves to be a surprisingly powerful read. With Ben Urich’s emotionally charged narration driving a story about loss and the steps people take to move on after traumatic events, Brian Reed manages to effectively (and realistically) capture an often ignored segment of the Marvel Universe. As such, I find myself extremely satisfied with a comic I really didn’t expect a whole lot from.

What’s Not So Good: While the artwork is more than serviceable, it never really rises above being average. Then again, it doesn’t really need to, considering the story being told. So ultimately it is a very minor complaint. Also, I must mention that I was a little bit irked by how quickly the major battle was glossed over. I understand why the story heads in the direction that it does, but a little bit more time with the heroes might have gone a long way.

Conclusion: While the latest Front Line series is a bit hit-or-miss as a whole, the conclusion is definitely a homerun in this reviewer’s opinion. It hits all the right notes and manages to bring some much needed subtlety and realism to an otherwise bombastic event.

Grade: A-

-Kyle Posluszny

The Invincible Iron Man #7 – Review

By Matt Fraction (Writer), Salvador Larroca (Art), and Frank D’Armata (Colors)

The Story: Spider-Man and Ben Urich (of Front Line fame) guest star in an Iron Man story that serves as a epilogue of sorts to the series’ opening arc, “The Five Nightmares”. As Tony Stark goes about cleaning up the mess and black market trail left by Ezekiel Stane, Spider-Man decides to tag along. And while Stark clearly wants nothing to do with the unregistered hero, the two eventually team up due to Spidey’s insistence (and belief) that Iron Man definitely needs some help with the mission.

Editor’s Note: Please keep in mind that trying to sort out “One More Day” or “Brand New Day” continuity is likely to cause a major headache or, at the very least, some frustration. Just read the story for what it is and try to ignore the editorial baggage the book is unfortunately burdened with.

What’s Good: Nearly everything as long as you take my note into consideration. Matt Fraction’s superhero team up is an absolutely superb (and surprisingly poignant) read from start to finish. He manages to make the characters both incredibly super and human throughout the book, which is no small feat. As for the artwork, Salvador Larroca and Frank D’Armata both shine in handling the superhero outfits and action. The book plays to their strengths really well.

What’s Not So Good: My only complaint is regarding some of the artwork not involving a superhero costume. Larocca’s pedestrians just look odd and D’Armata’s coloring only accentuates the problem. It’s an annoyance more than anything.

Conclusion: Easily one of the best “one and done” stories I have ever read. It has great character moments, artwork (mostly), and an awesome story. You simply can’t ask for a whole lot more from a comic book than what you get in Invincible Iron Man #7.

Grade: A

-Kyle Posluszny

A Second Opinion

The Good: Although I was initially skeptical when I read that Fraction was going to be helming this series, I am so happy that he has defied expectations and made me a believer.  His characterization of Stark as a man hungry for redemption and struggling to do the right thing in his professional and superhero lives strikes a perfect balance that is dramatic and engaging to read.  He has convinced me that Iron Man is a character worth caring about, and that’s quite a feat after the number of failed attempts from other writers to do the same.

The Not So Good: I’m always worried when a Marvel comic brings in Spider-Man to guest star.  It always comes off like a contrived, cheap ploy, and that holds true here.  Spider-Man is irritating and unnecessary, and it feels like Fraction is simply looking for an excuse to write the character.  Also, if Iron Man is really that concerned with Spider-Man being an unregistered superhero, why doesn’t he arrest him!?  If Stark isn’t going to enforce the law he helped bring about, what was the point of Civil War?  This is a glaring, gross mischaracterization and I’m disappointed the editor allowed it.

Conclusion: A below average epilogue to an otherwise amazing opening story.  Fraction has proven he is more than capable of making this a great series to read, but this issue is irritating, due largely to Spider-Man’s unnecessary presence. Save your money and wait for the next issue.

Grade: C-

-Tony Rakittke

Secret Invasion: Front Line #2 – Review

Brian Reed (Writer), GG Studios (Art), Marco Castiello (Pencils), Barbara Ciardo (Colorist), and Amerigo Pinelli (Asst. Colorist)

This second chapter of the Front Line story creates an interesting dilemma for me as a reviewer. I thoroughly enjoyed every single page of the book and yet, I can easily think of a number of ways in which I can criticize it. Normally this would leave me at a mental stalemate as every positive matched up with a negative. In fact, I almost wrote a standard “C” review highlighting the positive and negatives in equal measure. But, while writing the review, I came to realize something: all the negatives I thought of stemmed directly from the positives. So, instead of writing a normal review, I figured I would explain why something with so many negatives can still receive the fairly high grade I give it.

Everything about the Secret Invasion: Front Line series is, so far, fairly standard. I was willing to give the first issue a bit of a pass considering that it had to establish the characters, but I can no longer overlook the generic characteristics of the story being told. This is the street level tale of what happens to people caught up in an unexpected alien invasion. There really is nothing in this issue that you haven’t seen before in some other science fiction piece. The characters are pretty cliché (a hot, but kind nurse, a cop going above and beyond his duty, a guy has a bad day that gets worse, a father/daughter in peril together… you get the point), the scenarios are fairly standard (driver abandons passengers, person examines dark area for someone in need, alien among the people), and the plot is about as predictable as it gets (so far). I want to hate it, but I can’t hate something that is done so well.

There is a reason the invasion story keeps being told – it just works. There is nothing particularly unique or interesting about this Front Line story and yet, I couldn’t be happier with how it is progressing. Brian Reed takes a comfortable framework and, instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, keeps it familiar. The characters we can identify with because we have seen them before. The scenarios remain thrilling because they are thrilling when the characters involved can be identified with. The plot is predictable, yet still a rollercoaster ride in every way (the ride is always the same, yet you can’t help but go back on to relive the experience). It takes considerable skill to do what the creative team is doing here. Familiar as can be, yet as entertaining as anything on the shelves.

While I could nitpick about how the artwork is a bit inconsistent or how Reed may have too many characters to juggle, I will save it for an issue worthy of the criticism. I’m having way too much fun with this one. (Grade B+)

-Kyle Posluszny