Fusion #3 – Review

By Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (Writers), Tyler Kirkham (Pencils), Sal Regla & Jay Leisten (Inks), and John Starr & Blond (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: As long as you read an issue of Fusion with the right mindset…

The Story: Cyberforce and the Avengers face off against the Thunderbolts before all the teams realize there’s something far worse that must be dealt with: Venom’s alien symbiote has gone ballistic!

What’s Good and What’s Not So Good: Fusion #3 uses a simple formula to get the job done. And you know what? It works well enough. If you came into the series to see all four teams (Cyberforce, Hunter-Killer, Tbolts, and Avengers) fight and then team up, well… Fusion #3 is your book. It’s dumb, it’s mindless, but it’s also quite a bit of fun (I’m sure I’ve said that about Fusion at least once before).

Artist Tyler Kirkham does his best to make the most of his time playing with the Marvel characters. Kirkham crafts a rather badass looking Venom and he also does a nice job of keeping the nonstop action manageable and satisfying. There’s a drop in quality here and there, but it’s understandable, considering how much is going on in nearly each and every panel.

I honestly wish I had more to say about Fusion #3, but how much can you really say about a book focused almost entirely around the action taking place? Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning keep things moving from scene to scene with some fun dialogue and, frankly, that’s really all I need with a crossover like Fusion. In short, if you’ve liked part one and two, you’ll probably enjoy the conclusion as well.

Conclusion: There isn’t much to it, but Fusion #3 is almost certain to please those that are part of its target audience. Fun, yet totally forgettable.

Grade: C

-Kyle Posluszny

Fusion #1 (Top Cow/Marvel crossover) – Review

By Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (Writers), Tyler Kirkham (Pencils), Sal Regla (Inks), Rick Basaldua (Inks Pg. 12), Livesay (Inks Pg. 19), and John Starr (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: Just looking at the cover of Fusion #1 makes me think it’s going to be something of a (rather dated) mess. Four teams from two different companies jockeying for space in a three issue mini-series? And it’s going to be coherent? Surely you jest. Still, I do have some hope for the series because it’s being written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, the two guys responsible for making the cosmic side of the Marvel U. home to some of the best stories and characters the company has to offer.

The Story: Fusion is a crossover between Marvel and Top Cow. In the first issue, Cyberforce member Ripclaw is going on a rampage and it’s up to the Mighty Avengers and, eventually, the Thunderbolts to stop him before he injures more people. Something causes the outburst and an ultra-sapien may be to blame.

What’s Good: Fusion #1 is entertaining, visually pleasing (in that special Top Cow way), and full of action. It’s also a hell of a lot of fun as long as you don’t stop to think about it. The book doesn’t, so why should you? It hits the ground running and makes very little attempt to slow down. As a critic, however, I have to stop to think about it. That’s where the next category come in…

What’s Not So Good: Fusion #1 is all the things mentioned above. Unfortunately, it’s also really dated, frustrating to follow, and somewhat ridiculous-looking (in that special Top Cow way). I mean the Might Avengers and Thunderbolts (as featured in Fusion) don’t even exist anymore. It makes the whole thing feel pretty odd. Furthermore, while I put something in the story section, I really have no idea what’s going on as far as overall plot is concerned. It’s almost completely overwhelmed by the action. As for “that special Top Cow way,” I mention it because the style used by Tyler Kirkham tends to be quite divisive.

Conclusion: If you just sort of roll with it, Fusion #1 works in its own unique way in that it harkens back to the ’90s.  It’s mindless and gratuitous, but it’s also quite a bit of fun. If you look at it from a critical perspective, it’s sure to frustrate, confuse, and maybe even cause a few unintentional laughs. Yeah…it’s that kind of comic…

Grade: C (could easily be a “D” or “B” depending on taste, so a “C” seems appropriate)

-Kyle Posluszny