Revisiting Avengers Forever

by Kurt Busiek, Roger Stern (Writers), Carlos Pacheco, Jesus Merino (Artists), Steve Oliff, Olyoptics.com, Graphic Color Works (Colorists)

There are several stories that are hold with high regard in the industry. Marvels, Kingdom Come, Watchmen and many others are such stories that people are still talking about to this very day, leaving an impact that can be debated for hours amongst fans. Most of them are cherished for their unique stories or with their presentation, which is the stuff that comic fans are living for. Still, amongst all of those critical darlings, there are some stories that represent either a specific character or concept at its best, like Batman: Year One or Daredevil: Born Again, which can be used as the summary and explanation of why this specific character is great.

Avengers Forever is sometimes referred to as one of the very pinnacle of the Avengers franchise, namely the pre-Bendis era of the title. Written by Kurt Busiek of Marvels and Astro City fame, it tries to hold the very essence of what makes the Avengers what they are while telling a story of cataclysmic proportions. Still, with the present era of Avengers being definitely different than the previous one written by such like Roy Thomas or Kurt Busiek himself. With such a big disparity between styles, can this book actually provide entertainment with a more modern outlook on it?

Hunger #4 – Review

by Joshua Hale Fialkov (Writer), Leonard Kirk (Artist), Jesus Aburtov (Colorist)

The Story: Rick Jones is ready to finally fulfill his destiny as he brings the fight to Galactus.

The Review: With the rumored death of the Ultimate universe looming around, not many expected this mini-series to close with Galactus being defeated. The announcement of Cataclysm: Last stand of the Ultimates cementing that fact, many could potentially wonder what exactly was the point of this mini-series in the larger context of the Ultimate universe. With mini-series having the necessity to be quicker at getting to the point, this issue had the need to show readers how things would end with Rick Jones and his destiny.

As it turns out, it’s a pretty disappointing read, as Joshua Hale Fialkov rushes to his climax and to the conclusion too quickly. There are some nice moments here and there in the confrontation, yet it seems that the final result of this whole story is hand-waved as many of the more interesting elements aren’t even focused upon.

Hunger #3 – Review

by Joshua Hale Fialkov (Writer), Leonard Kirk (Artist), Jesus Aburtov (Colorist)

The Story: Mahr-Vell arrives on the scene as Rick Jones doubts himself even more. Meanwhile, Galactus hungers.

The Review: It has been a while since we have seen the latest issue of this series, has it not? With the fate of the cosmic side of the Ultimate universe in the balance, the latest issue tried to show the threat that the merging of Gah Lak Tus with the regular one as Rick Jones generally whines about his role in the story. While there were some weaker aspects to the story, it was still a generally enjoyable one nonetheless. Does this issue continue this trend or does it shows a better handle on some of its elements?

It’s a strange thing to say, but it maintains the very same strengths and weaknesses, albeit what’s good get better, yet the disappointing aspects also get worse. The elements that actually worked through the story were the cosmic ones, as the presence of Galactus actually felt like a catastrophe in space. The way the Kree acts and the explanation for what Gah Lak Tus actually is do make the comic a bit more heavy on the drama and the action as a result, which does help in selling the actual point of this mini-series.

What also worked is the general approach toward the catastrophe and how it affects some of the key players, like the Silver Surfer and Mahr-Vell, who comes off as rather good point-of-view characters in this issue, bringing in some interesting questions, exposition and action for the readers to enjoy.

Hunger #2 – Review

Joshua Hale Fialkov (Writer), Leonard Kirk (Artist), Jesus Aburtov (Colorist)

The Story: A different surfer arrives to see just who the mighty Galactus might be as the Kree and Chitauri reacts to his presence.

The Review: Mini-series have a rather hard job to do. In a limited amount of pages, they must show a whole story, complete with character arcs, exposition, explanation of the setting and so on in order to create a satisfying experience for the readers. It may not sound so differently from the regular ongoing that needs to do just that as well, yet the much smaller amount of issues do tend to make it so the creative team need to use each pages smartly by preserving a good pacing.

Hunger is one of those, but one that need to make its point in four issues, with this one being the second one, meaning that the story reached its middle point by the issue’s end. While the basic premise of Galactus being in the Ultimate universe is something that is rather silly, yet ingenuous, does it work in creating a story that is both entertaining and that fulfill a purpose?

Hunger #1 – Review

Joshua Hale Fialkov (Writer), Leonard Kirk (Artist) Jesus Aburtov (Colorist)

The Story: Rick Jones is warned multiple time that a huge and devastating event will soon happen. Cue Galactus.

The Review: If I have a certain sub-genre of comics I really love in comics, it would be the space-opera/ sci-fi vibe that some stories like Annihilation and Infinity Gauntlet possessed. The big scales, the problems, the conflict and how the players need to resolve some problems that are way beyond their capacities can lead to great stories. However, this genre is not always well-presented in comics, as many tries to mimic it, only to fail without reaching the height of those cosmic stories. Does Hunger, so far, relate to the former or to the latter?

Judging from the first issue, I’d say we have a big chance that it will be the former, as Joshua Hale Fialkov seems able to deliver on some very key front in terms of cosmic stories, the first of which being the scale. As we see the Chitauri–Kree war develop and how the animosity between those two races develop, we also see the Ultimate answer to Galactus, Gah Lak Tus, the Watcher, the infinite depth of space and more, all being led up toward the arrival of Jack Kirby’s creation himself. The pacing and the exploration of all these elements is done rather well, letting the readers escalate throughout the rapid flow of information and exposition. Fialkov let us know that the cosmic background of the Ultimate universe is different, as he shows it aptly throughout the issue.

How he does so, however, is quite befitting, as our protagonist, Rick Jones, is presented quite well too. His balance between cosmically aware, yet his utter humanity and his younger years do help us readers absorb the information, either by humor or by juxtaposing our own questions throughout his voice. However, the character isn’t exactly perfect either, as his utter cluelessness about his predicament do lead us to question why he has such powers, something that isn’t helped at all by the vague explanation provided by the Watcher. A good character he may be, his role as our window toward what is happening is a bit less effective due to a certain repetition of his lack of knowledge.

The Incredible Hulks #631 – Review

By: Greg Pak (writer), Paul Pelletier (penciller), Danny Miki (inker), Morry Hollowell with Jesús Aburtou (colorists), Jake Thomas (assistant editor), Mark Paniccia (editor)

The Story: Heart of the Monster, Part Two: OK. AIM scientist party-crashes on Red She-Hulk/Tyrannus lovefest to turn fountain of youth into a wishing well. Some dumb wishes get made, bringing back to life a cool half-dozen of the Hulk’s foes, plus some random monsters and additional sub-wishes, and some more sub-wishes….

What’s Good: I started buying Hulk again because I was interested in seeing what Pak had been doing with it for a while, but more importantly, because of Pelletier’s art. Pelletier, Miki and the colorists really have a good thing going on. The art is detailed and textured, no matter who or what Pelletier is looking at. Fin Fang Foom has deep, shadowed ridges and the monster teeth are cracked and irregular. Rick Jones’ face (such as it is) is expressive and the weapons are shiny and new-looking. Wendigo and Bi-Beast figured heavily in this issue and the art team depicted them in lavish rage, while Umar (I didn’t even realize she was a Hulk foe!) and Amadeus have more subtle characterizations of their moods. And of course, the Hulk was big and blocky and green and all muscle, slapping it down with all comers and creatively outsmarting (in his limited way) the dumbest of his enemies. All in all, a visually satisfying issue.

On the writing, Pak’s tongue-in-cheek tone, mixing enemy and friend in quick-moving banter, while stirring in deadly danger, made for a fun ride. The wishing well and the complexity of the wishing structure that Cho figures out was intriguing, fitting cheek-by-jowl with funnny, Hulkish cunning involving Wendigo’s tail. I liked all the characters involved, even the villains, and no one seemed to be taking any great pains to take themselves too seriously, which was my signal to take it easy. Why did I like them? Well, they all wanted something that was obvious and important to them. The Hulk is heart-broken. She-Hulk, Cho and Rick are his buddy musketeers and Betty is his lost love. Poignant. Painful. Heart-warming. At the same time, on the villains’ side, we have some villains, who, at every turn, have seen their efforts stymied by this gamma-irradiated monstrosity. Of course they want a bit of payback, or to rebuild what they lost. What reader can’t buy into that? Pak has taken some very bizarre people (I’m talking about all of them), and made them sympathetic with some very clear, simple desires and obstacles.

Batgirl #1 – Review

By Bryan Q. Miller (writer), Lee Garbett (penciller), Trevor Scott (inker), Guy Major (colorist)

The Story: In the bad parts of Gotham (are there any others?) some extreme street racing take place. A mysterious Batgirl steps in and we are introduced to Stephanie Brown, formerly the superhero Spoiler. She’s got a lot on her mind. She promised to get out of the superheroing business and start the college life. She promised her mother. She promised Tim Drake. Why is such a simple promise so hard to keep? Spoiler is gone. Batgirl is here. And Barbara Gordon is weaved into the mix for good measure.

What’s Good: This is not a bad book. I think it’s a challenging thing to pull off a teen’s point of view without sounding condescending (Rick Jones) or super-genius (Kitty Pryde). Miller has made Stephanie likable, genuine, and real. She’s struggling with a choice and we get to watch her try to stay on the straight and narrow. It’s an entertaining show. I also have to take my hat off to Miller for his easy use of parallels and symbolism. Stephanie is going through one of those “Who am I and what should I do” periods we all have/ had, except Miller shows her in this period right in the middle of first year philosophy while the professor is discussing free will. Also, every other student has a laptop, and Miller shows her isolation and the lunacy of her trying to be normal, by having her come to class with just a pen and paper. Very effective. The art team complements the writing competently. They deliver action, mood, setting, and some pretty good faces that express what the writer needs them to express.

What’s Not So Good: There’s nothing overtly negative about this book. It is a competently-told tale of a C-list character who’s main draw is that she is part of the Bat-family. However, the story of an angst-ridden first-year university student is not going to light the DCU on fire. The story and the art are good enough. If there’s any that fails is that there is nothing remarkable about this book. The new Batgirl saves the lives of a few people I didn’t care about. She considers breaking promises that I consider a little foolish. She agonizes over identity and self, but there’s nothing really at stake. She’ll either be a superhero or she won’t. Either one is fine with me.

Conclusion: This is an enjoyable book, but entirely average. I think something remarkable will have to spring from this title, something that makes it relevant to the DCU or unique enough to be its own draw, or Batgirl will have an easily forgettable short run.

Grade: C

-DS Arsenault

Hulk #2 – Review

By Jeph Loeb (writer), Ed McGuinness (art), Dexter Vines (inks), Jason Keith (colors)

Okay, despite Tony Stark acting like a complete idiot, Hulk #2 delivers a lot of fun. Maybe I just expected too much from Jeph Loeb. I mean, the guy’s responsible for writing some of the most best and cerebral superhero stories out there. Of course, it doesn’t help make things better after the amazing things Greg Pak has done on The Incredible Hulk book. But, I finally get what Loeb’s trying to do now: This is his monster book.

It’s definitely not the regular Hulk we’re used to – this one’s cold, murderous, and devious. The obvious answer as to who he is takes a twist, and to be honest, I have no idea who he could possibly be now. Maybe Doc Savage? This is the only plot thread worth caring about and after it runs its course, I wonder what’ll be left, substance wise.

But going back to what I originally said, this is a monster book. Even the forth coming title we’re given for the next issue (“Creatures on the Loose”) clearly hints that we’re about to see some Silver Age inspired action. And that’s not a bad thing.

Loeb has clearly written this book with Ed McGuinness’ talent in mind. While the story still isn’t very good, the art will completely blow you away. There are no less than three double-page splashes – each one completely worthy and grand in scale. Art collectors will be drooling over the page where Hulk slams a fighter jet down on old Shell Head.

As much as I’m not caring for the story, I am looking forward to the big slugfest coming next issue. Ed McGuinness and Dexter Vines just make it so much fun. I completely give them all the credit for making this series somewhat bearable. (Grade: C+)

– J. Montes