***Book of the Week***
Spider-Woman #1Writer: Brian Bendis / Artist: Alex Maleev
A lot of people have told me that Brian Bendis should stay away from team books and concentrate more on solo series. I've only been in the comic book game for the past three or four years and actually enjoy his Avengers work quite a bit, but reading the first issue of Spider-Woman helps me see where those people are coming from. Bendis does an incredible job making us feel Spider-Woman's torment about the Skrulls using her as the face of the invasion and confusion about being missing from the Marvel Universe for who knows how many years. Never before have I been able to connect with a character this quickly. Also, while writing this great characterization, Bendis creates a believable outlet that gives Spider-Woman numerous potential story lines for future issues. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Alex Maleev's art. He is just as much responsible for the characterization as Bendis is. Maleev's shots and dark and murky tones perfectly complement the story. In the span of just one issue, this duo makes a hero out of someone a lot of fans may not know and create a story that should keep our interest for many issues to come.IGN - 8.2/10
Comic Book Resources - 3/5
Comics Bulletin - 2.5/5
Amazing Spider-Man #606
Writer: Joe Kelly / Artist: Mike McKone
In a stark contrast to the somber nature of Spider-Woman (absolutely no relation to Spider-Man whatsoever), this issue is a purely fun read. Jokes and lightheartedness run aplenty as Spider-Man finds himself surrounded by crazy women, with Black Cat returning to stir the pot. I've missed her and she's always been a fun addition to any Spider-Man book. Apparently he's missed her too and I can't wait to see Mary Jane's reaction to the hottest tabloid photo of the year. Even with all the fun, Joe Kelly manages to create a cool story about Dexter Bennett having some secret that every one wants. Mike McKone's art is also a perfect fit for the tone of the series and his characters are quite nice-looking. If I gave awards away for "Funnest Book of the Week," this book would surely have won.IGN - 8.4/10
Comics Bulletin - 3.5/5
Dark Reign: The List - X-Men
Writer: Matt Fraction / Artist: Alan Davis
This series is quickly becoming a useless action extravaganza. I really thought it was going to act as a transition between Dark Reign and the end of Dark Reign, but nope. The List is just Norman Osborn unsuccessfully trying to take down some of Marvel's bigger heroes. I did appreciate Namor coming off as totally badass in this book, but it was still just mindless action. Alan Davis's art was pretty good. His monster looked appropriately menacing and Namor looked as arrogant as ever. I can't recommend this book to anyone looking for anything significant to the overall Marvel Universe though.IGN - 7.4/10
Comic Book Resources - 4/5
Comics Bulletin - 3/5
Ms. Marvel #45
Writer: Brian Reed / Artist: Phil Briones
"War of the Marvels" just keeps getting more and more confusing. Just when I thought I figured things out, Catherine Donovan goes and gets some super powers. She was supposed to be the civilian part of Ms. Marvel, right? Osborn's treatment of her was pretty awesome though. What happens afterwards is not awesome. Apparently the light creatures from the prior story arc decided to reward Ms. Marvel with two bodies. Then they give her Moonstone's body. I'm confused. Who are the all-mighty light beings? Briones doesn't help matters any. His art is blotchy, awkward, and ridiculous. I really want to like this story. It's got some cool moments in it. But if I can't understand it, I can't support it.IGN - 6.4/10
New Avengers #57
Writer: Brian Bendis / Artist: Stuart Immonen
Does Hawkeye have super powers? That's all I could wonder while reading this issue. Nothing else was worth thinking about due to its absurdity. Osborn makes a deal with the terrorists, Mockingbird flies a plane immune to Osborn's machines into the middle of the battle, and the New Avengers ask Osborn to save Luke Cage for them. Dumb. But Hawkeye.... The terrorist super villains utilized a power dampener that incapacitates anyone with powers. Hawkeye was incapacitated. Maybe he's had powers ever since he came back from Scarlet Witch's banishment? But he's never shown those powers. I wonder where this will lead. The only other thing worth mentioning from this issue is the awful art. Immonen was terrible. His panels were highly under detailed, oftentimes just drawing blobs instead of actual characters. Maybe he realized the silliness of the book and decided it wasn't worth his time either.IGN - 8/10
Comic Book Resources - 3/5
Comics Bulletin - 3.5/5
Wolverine: Old Man Logan Giant Size
Writer: Mark Millar / Artist: Steve McNiven
Marvel's adaptation of Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven comes to an end with this issue. It may not be nearly as awesome as the movie, but Wolverine is just as badass in this issue as William Munny was at the end of the movie. In fact, I've never seen Wolverine as cool as he was hear. Oftentimes he just runs into a fight because he knows he can't be harmed...and then gets his ass kicked. But here he actually whoops up on people. Reading it brought back fond memories of that killer battle Uma Thurman had with the Crazy 88 in Kill Bill. Mark Millar may be credited as the writer, but Steve McNiven deserves all the credit for telling the story. Just as the Crazy 88 battle will be remembered for its choreography and spewing blood, this series will be known for Wolverine stabbing someone through the head or clawing his way out of the Hulk's stomach. I think this book just might be bloodier than Kill Bill. For anyone who liked Unforgiven or Kill Bill, I can't recommend Old Man Logan highly enough.IGN -9/10
Comic Book Resources - 4/5
Comics Bulletin - 4/5
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