Hawkeye #2 – Review

By: Matt Fraction (writer), David Aja (art), Matt Hollingsworth (colors)

The Story:  Clint and Kate infiltrate a magic show attended by the Marvel Universe’s crime lords.

The Review:  I was all praise for the first issue, saying that it was quite possibly the best first issue of the year not called Saga and the start of something special.  Well, not only does this issue validate all of that, I think it may actually be better.  While it may not have that “first issue” excitement on its side, on a technical level, it’s just more proficient in both the writing and the art.  It’s one of those rare comics where you can tell that both writer and artist are absolute masters of the medium.

Thunderbolts #127- Review

By Andy Diggle (Writer), Roberto De La Torre (Artist), and Frank Martin & Giovanni Kosoki (Colorists)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: While I had my qualms with the last issue of Thunderbolts, it did a nice job of establishing both the new creative team and the method by which they would “clean house” in order to usher in the new status quo. I look forward to seeing how the transitional period plays out. And of course, how the new Thunderbolts team will be put together.

The Story: With Swordsman missing, Radioactive Man en route to China, and Penance confined to a high security mental facility, Songbird seems to be all of options as she is hunted through Thunderbolts Mountain by the remaining team members. As expected, Moonstone, Bullseye, and Venom make for quite the team as they try to take down Songbird for Norman Osborn. An action-packed book all around, Andy Diggle’s restructuring of the Thunderbolts continues to prepare the series for a star turn as part of Dark Reign.

What’s Good: Thunderbolts #127 is a marked improvement over the last issue in almost every way. The reason being because it delivers the chaos surrounding the team in a much more focused and satisfying manner. A lot of the credit for that has to go to Andy Diggle for the way he handles the interaction between the characters. He clearly understands the appeal of the team and some of the venomous dialogue stands up well next to some of the best character moments from Warren Ellis’ fantastic run. The rest of the credit goes to the art team’s handling of the kinetic, well-choreographed action sequences throughout the book. Roberto De La Torre’s pencils, while a bit rough at times, do a great job of capturing Songbird’s desperation and the destruction caused by the hunt.

What’s Not So Good: Considering that the series is in something of a transitional period, Diggle does little to really move things forward all that much. In other words, the issue is all about dismantling some of the old without any real time spent on constructing the new. That aspect of the story really doesn’t change my opinion of the overall quality of the book too much, but it does leave me feeling as though it is a tiny bit lacking.

Conclusion: Some books struggle through transitional periods, but Thunderbolts clearly is not one of them. The action is intense, the dialogue is a blast to read, and Marvel’s least heroic team continues to be a source of great, edgy entertainment. Thunderbolts #127 is well worth checking out for a good time, especially if you are interested in seeing how the groundwork for Dark Reign is being laid out.

Grade: B

-Kyle Posluszny

Thunderbolts #125 (Secret Invasion) – Review

By Christos N. Gage (Writer), Fernando Blanco (Artist), and Frank Martin (Colorist)

The Story: The Thunderbolts finish off the Skrulls they were facing and head off to join the main Secret Invasion battle in Manhattan. This gives Norman Osborn the opportunity to showcase his leadership skills (while giving him an opportunity to raise the influence of his power) should he survive the battle.

What’s Good: This final chapter of the Thunderbolts event tie-in may ultimately prove to be an essential piece of the post-Invasion Marvel universe. With so many tie-ins proving to be inconsequential, this book’s a refreshing surprise. The ending creates some interesting questions for the future, especially considering that a new creative team takes over next issue.

Also good is the writing by Christos N. Gage and some of the artwork by Fernando Blanco. Gage successfully carries on the themes used by Warren Ellis to great effect by incorporating the media coverage of the event into the storyline. Longtime readers will love Norman’s use of the media to further his agenda and it’s complimented by Blanco’s amusing facial work.

What’s Not So Good: Most of the artwork. Blanco’s character work is ugly (and inconsistent) throughout the book and the muddy colors by Frank Martin only add to the problem. Also, the shots of the big Invasion battle are lacking when compared to the fantastic work done for it in Secret Invasion #7, which is still very fresh in my mind.

Conclusion: Invasion fans and those concerned with the future of the Marvel Universe will definitely want to pick this one up. It goes extremely well with the seventh chapter of the main event and hints at what the future holds in store.

Grade: B

-Kyle Posluszny

Thunderbolts #121 – Review

Warren Ellis,(Writer) Mike Deodato Jr.,(Art) and Rain Beredo (Colorist)

I read this issue with both delight and a bit of sadness knowing that the Thunderbolts are turned over to a new creative team next month. The Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato run has been one hell of a ride, so I expected some big things from their final issue. Unfortunately, I couldn’t help but feel let down as everything had a bit of a rushed feel to it. That said, this is still one of the best books to come out during what has been an extremely solid month.

The conclusion of the Caged Angels arc is, as expected, centered around the chaos that has gripped Thunderbolts Mountain for the last few months. The bulk of the issue is all about action. Moonstone confronts Doc Samson and Robbie “Penance” Baldwin while Norman Osborne, still running around as the Green Goblin, goes toe to toe with Songbird. Oddly enough, Swordsman, Radioactive Man, and Venom are nowhere to be found during all of this. Also, a certain team member is back on his feet and ready for some target practice. This all would have been excellent if there was one more issue to deal with the aftermath, but instead it leads to a tidy conclusion that comes about a bit too easily.

I really enjoyed what was here, but there is no escaping the feeling that things were rushed to a conclusion so the book could get on with its (almost) obligatory Secret Invasion tie-in. Also, while I understand why some of the team was missing from this final issue due to injuries and whatnot, it would have been welcome to have at least seen them at some point.

As expected, Warren Ellis is in fine form. The banter and taunting throughout the book is incredibly entertaining and hilariously dark. Ellis makes sure to give each character (the ones that are used anyway), a chance to shine. Also, while I am disappointed the book feels so rushed, the way Ellis reigns in the chaos is clever, amusing, and a great example of how to use a character. High marks all around, I just wish Ellis had another issue to work with.

I have loved Mike Deodato’s work on this series, but the rushed feel of the story carries over into the artwork. The action scenes are suitably brutal and the powers on display look impressive, but it seems as though some aspects of the art are missing a layer of polish. The level of detail I’ve come to expect isn’t there at times and, while it doesn’t hurt my overall enjoyment of his work, is noticeable. Also, I can’t help but mention that for some reason Robbie Baldwin looks exactly like a bald Ed Norton this issue – which is odd considering he hasn’t looked that way until now.

Thunderbolts #121 is a good read that is a disappointment only when considering the great things that have come before it. The story and artwork feels rushed and the absence of half the roster is a bit annoying. Don’t let that deter you though – this is still one of the best books on the shelf this week. Warren Ellis’ run has been a must read for those who’re into the darker side of the Marvel Universe. If you missed out, be sure to pick up the trades. So long Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato Jr., the Thunderbolts won’t be the same without you. (Grade B+)

-Kyle Posluszny

Thunderbolts #120 – Review

By Warren Ellis (Writer), Mike Deodato, Jr. (Artist), and Rain Beredo (Colorist)

Chekhov (the playwright, not the Star Trek Ensign) had a rule for managing audience expectations: if a pistol is seen hanging on the wall in Act 1, someone must fire it before the end of Act 3. Well, for the past ten issues of Thunderbolts, Norman Orborn has been the pistol hanging on the wall, and with issue 120 we’ve finally reached Act 3.

After ten months chained behind a desk and a facade of respectability, the Green Goblin is back, baby. And I have to give props to Warren Ellis; the Goblin hasn’t been written this well in decades. I mean, sure there are lots of supervillains who are crazy. You’d have to be crazy to want to take over the world, right? But this guy is crazy with a capital “C”. Eye-rolling, bouncing off the walls crazy. Crazy with a comprehensive business plan and full dental. And the scariest thing about him is, if you listen to him long enough, he starts to make sense.

The plot? Mayhem, mostly. One of the new detainees at Thunderbolt Mountain is a psychic, messing around with everyone’s heads, making the collection of madmen the US government has foolishly collected there even more unstable than usual. Things are very quickly falling apart. At one point the normally rational Radioactive Man announces he’s going to give everyone on the base cancer. “Cancer can be fun,” he says. “You get drugs.”

There’s more, of course. Songbird tries to keep things together. Doc Samson works to make Penance a little less looney. And the new Swordsman finds out he’s not quite as bad-ass as he thought he was. But this is really the Green Goblin’s book. Ellis and Deodato are having a ball with his character, and it shows.

Welcome back, Norman. We missed you. (Grade: A)

-Andrew C. Murphy

A Second Opinion

There really isn’t a whole lot I can add to this review. Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato have created something special with this run on the Thunderbolts and it’s a shame that it’s coming to an end. This series is a prime example of how to write and visualize chaos, as everything is about as perfect as it can be. The characters and action are dynamic, the plot is perfect for both the characters in, and the situation that is, Thunderbolts Mountain, and the return of the Green Goblin with this issue is everything a fan could hope for.

Ellis and Deodato have completely knocked this series out of the park and I honestly feel sorry for the follow up team. I got back into comics with this current Thunderbolts team and with each issue it surprises me how every other series loses a little bit of its shine every time a new Thunderbolts story hits the stands. A spectacular effort all around. If you aren’t on board with this series, you definitely have been missing something great. (Grade: A)

-Kyle Posluszny