Avenging Spider-Man #19 – Review

By: Christopher Yost (Writer), Marco Checchetto (Artist), Rachelle Rosenberg (Colorist)

The Story: Spider-Ock is stuck in his head for a nightmarish introspection. Sounds like a cue for an obscure character team-up!

The Review: Well, this is quite a jump in partner. First starting with the X-Men, then the Future Foundation, with Thor next, it seems that this title wanted to be a little bit more experimental with the choice of guest-star.

This time, Yost chose a much more obscure character called Sleepwalker, one that I’ve actually never heard of, which is oddly a very smart choice. By putting such a smaller character with the marketing beast that is Spider-Man (even the Spider-Ock version), it can makes for unpredictable stories with lesser-known character, putting the spotlight on them to allow us readers to see their potential. Of course, it works rather well on paper, but it is not quite the same in the execution here.

Ms. Marvel #27 (Secret Invasion) – Review

By Brian Reed (writer), Andre Coelho (art), Chris Sotomayor (colors)

Up until the end of this issue, a lot of this Secret Invasion story happening in Ms. Marvel made little to no sense. Yes, the story is comprehensible and very straight forward, but compared to the other Secret Invasion tie-ins going on in other titles, it felt out of place, continuity-wise. No more. The last page of this issue clears it all up but left me with that lingering feeling of “Why is this story coming to us so late?!”

You see, this whole story taking place in Ms. Marvel happens just days before Secret Invasion #1. But because of how the story has been presented and feeling way out of continuity, there was no way of telling where this story fit in the grand scheme of things. Simply put, the story carried little to no weight (despite a major revelation regarding a supporting cast member). Now it all makes more sense, and while most of this issue takes place in the form of a wild goose chase, the effects it has on Ms. Marvel is profound. Finally, after years of being a very strong-willed heroine, Carol Danvers is showing chinks in her armor. The emotional toll she’s been through with the constant battles, high levels of responsibility, and the effects of Civil War are beginning to take their toll on her emotional stability. And with that, she reaches out to whomever she can for shelter, be it fleeting or not.

The art team has changed yet again with this issue, giving it an uneven feel. But fill-in artist, Andre Coelho does a very nice job portraying action and emotional elements. Despite the constant rotation of art teams, one thing that’s (thankfully) been consistent is the picking of artists who know how to draw a sweet looking Ms. Marvel. That definitely counts for something. All in all, this issue caps what’s been a lackluster Secret Invasion tie-in with a strong finish. I’m definitely on board to see what happens next. (Grade: B-)

– J. Montes

Ms. Marvel #26 (Secret Invasion) – Review

By Brian Reed (writer), Adriana Melo (pencils), Mariah Benes (inks), Chris Sotomayor (colors)

With Secret Invasion now fully upon us, Ms. Marvel is one of the first heroes to be accused of being a Skrull. SHIELD confronts her at her boyfriend’s murder scene ready to take her in as the culprit. But Carol’s no fool, and she won’t come in quietly. What follows is a game of cat and mouse as Carol tries to stave of her apprehension while figuring out who’s been impersonating her and if SHIELD’s been compromised.

Like many of the previous issues of Ms. Marvel, this one’s got a lot of action. Brian Reed writes this book at a very quick pace while throwing in a lot of comical moments near the end as Carol’s big fight carries throughout the SHIELD Helicarrier. Adriana Melo’s pencils do a great job keeping pace with the story. She did an impressive job with her debut last issue, and her good pencil work has spilled over into this issue as well.

We get a bit of a reveal near the end of the book regarding William (Ms. Marvel’s boyfriend person), but it’s not something that made me gasp with surprise. It was “just there”. The other oddity was the beginning of the issue which deals with Agent Sum’s cryptic past. I understand why Brian Reed put it in there, but it seems so out of place. Just please, whatever happens, don’t ever put him together with Wolverine in some past life. I’m sick to death of stories like that!

All in all, this is decent issue of Ms. Marvel. It contains the usual above average story that I’ve come to expect from this title, but being one of the first Secret Invasion satellite books, I was expecting something more exciting. (Grade: C+)

– J. Montes

Ms. Marvel #24 – Review

By Brian Reed (writer), Aaron Lopresti (pencils), Matt Ryan (inks), Chris Sotomayor (colors)

I love stories about the Brood. Yeah, you could say they’re just rip offs of H.R. Geiger’s “alien”, but they’re still a cool adversary (and more intelligent). Ms. Marvel, armed with her Binary powers rushes off to battle the Brood Queen. The culmination of this story comes in the middle of the issue, and what happens is just unbelievable and sad. From there, the action slows down and the story moves into a phase of reflection before building up again to where Tony Stark (yep, him again) reveals to Agent Sum his suspicions of Carol being a Skrull.

Sorry Tony, but you’re wrong.

Brian Reed wraps up his story arc nicely. The Brood fight was over a bit too quickly for my tastes, but that’s okay. I don’t need to see an issue full of fighting. The secondary characters were less than supporting characters this issue, as it’s just Carol’s fight. I did like the moments where she envied the simple things they have. And Aaron Lopresti? He’ll be missed (this is his last issue, I believe). His artwork and storytelling skills are showcased particularly well this issue – the series of splash pages he did in the beginning of the book are excellent.

Next month kicks off the Secret Invasion tie-in. Ms. Marvel’s a major player in the Marvel Universe now, so it’ll be interesting to see what becomes of her. (Grade: B-)

– J.Montes