International Iron Man #2

Story: Brian Michael Bendis Art: Alex Maleev

Synopsis:

The mystery of Tony’s real parents reveals some truths behind the history of the Marvel Universe that have been kept hidden for decades. Can Tony unravel the mystery before deadly history repeats itself?

Review:

More details are revealed about Tony’s relationship with Cassandra and how it might be the cause for all his current relationship problems. Also it’s hinted at in current times, Cassandra might know something about Tony’s real parents. A bit of a “filler” issue, but still some excellent art from Alex Maleev. Might be worth skipping and just getting a trade later on.

Score C+

 

The Ultimates #6

Story: Al Ewing Art: Christian Ward

Synopsis:

Once he was the Devourer of Worlds — but now, at long last, his endless hunger has been cured. But is there a hidden price? What does it mean to wring new life from death? What does it mean to Galactus? Special guest artist Christian Ward (ODY-C) takes us into the life of the Lifebringer — for the most cosmic issue yet!

Review:

Christian Ward is the guest artist on this issue, exploring the plans Galactus has (now that he is the lifebringer) and how he is defying many other cosmic beings (who want him to go back to his planet eating self). A lot of people enjoy Christian Ward’s art. I don’t. Bring back Rocafort! This series continues to be ridiculous, with way over the top explanation of insane cosmic concepts and stories. I’d rather they just say “thisis crazy cosmic stuff, accept it, you don’t need science to explain why an entity might eat an entire planet”. But it will keep trying to give reason to nonsense. Oh well, the art is normally nice (see Rocafort-not Ward).

Score C

 

Daredevil #6

Story: Charles Soule Art: Matteo Buffagni

Synopsis:

Hell’s Kitchen knows no fury like an assassin scorned. Though Matt Murdock has somehow managed to hide his identity from the entire world, there are parts of his past he cannot escape. Elektra Natchios, is back in the Big Apple and she’s got a score to settle with The Man Without Fear!

Review:

With the issues in Chinatown seemingly over, a new chapter begins in Matt Murdock’s life. The return of his former lover turned assassin-Elektra. When Daredevil sets up a meeting with Elektra thinking it will be a friendly reunion he’s quickly surprised by desire to kill him! Ron Garney is gone, but Matteo Buffagni does a damn good job keeping the feel of the book similar and Charles Soule continues to rock these characters and story pacing!

Score B+

 

Dr. Strange: Last Days of Magic #1

Story: Jason Aaron, James Robinson, Gerry Duggan Art: Leonardo Romero, Mike Perkins, Danilo Beyruth

Synopsis:

This companion to the “LAST DAYS OF MAGIC” epic! THE EMPIRIKUL, led by The Imperator, are destroying all magic and magic users in the Marvel Universe. Jason Aaron brings you Doctor Strange and Wong’s secret history and the ultimate sacrifice that Wong makes! Gerry Duggan shows Brother Voodoo’s stand against the evil magic-eaters. James Robinson introduces a new magic figure in the Marvel U just in time for her last stand!

Review:

This one off goes hand in hand with the recent issue of Dr. Strange. We know all the major magic users of the Marvel U have been taken down by the science fueled Empirikul, but we weren’t sure how that happened. This is where Last Days of Magic comes in. It contains a variety of creative teams giving us quick short stories bridging the gap. Nothing too major is revealed here, as this really is simply a companion piece to give Strange fans a bit more love. The real stand out is Brother Voodoo’s storyline. Easily skippable, unless you want the big picture or just love this storyline.

Score B-

 

Dr. Strange #7

Story: Jason Aaron Art: Chris Bachalo, Tim Townsend, Al Vey, Mark Irwin, John Livesay, Victor Olazaba, Jaime Mendoza.

Synopsis:

As all of his magic dissipates, Doctor Strange is at the mercy of THE IMPERATOR! The powerless sorcerer is no longer supreme and can’t possibly best a super-powered foe hell-bent on his destruction.

Review:

Enter your obligatory major villain backstory issue. We get a warped version of a superman history here, as a young baby is saved by his scientist parents as what appears to be blood magic users come to kill them for using science. Thus we now have our motivation for The Imperator’s need to extinguish magic. The book looks to take place a little after or coincide with Dr. Strange Last Days of Magic one off. Jason Aaron has a cool story going here, but Bachalo just wasn’t the man for this series. His extreme warped anatomic style sometimes really gives us great moments when the page is open and wide, but with tons of close smaller panels full of dialogue images quickly get muddled together and seem hard to make out.

Score C+

 

Old Man Logan #5

Story: Jeff Lemire Art: Andrea Sorrentino, Marcelo Maiolo

Synopsis:

Nine months of the year, the desolate town of Killhorn Falls, Canada is cut off from the rest of the world. Cold and dark, visitors are a rarity. So when the time-displaced Old Man Logan comes to town on a mission, people take notice…especially people who have a bone to pick with the former Wolverine. With no way to escape, can Logan protect the people of Killhorn Falls and save his own skin…while safeguarding the only thing in the present that he hopes will survive to meet him in the future?

Review: I was a little confused at first as to why this version of Logan was heading into the wildest areas of north Canada, but it quickly becomes clear via flashbacks (juxtaposing against the present) of Old Man Logan’s past why this place is so important to him. What he plans on doing here, that seems to be settled in the next issue. Jeff Lemire remains stellar at everything he does, and Andrea Sorrentino’s art continues to be stand out feature.

Score: B

 

Squadron Supreme #6

Story: James Robinson Art: Leonard Kirk, Paolo Villanelli

Synopsis:

Things are about to get personal for Doctor Spectrum. With Namor out of the way she has her sights set on the next person who helped destroy her planet – Black Bolt! It’s about to get ugly. Plus – don’t miss the matchup of the century as the Squadron Supreme’s Nighthawk takes on the Nighthawk of the Marvel Universe!

Review: This series continues to disappointment from when it first debuted. I thought we were going to literally get a version of the Avengers that just didn’t take S&*t from no one! That was going to hunt down the people who did them wrong, and make them wish they never did. Instead we got a wacky adventure in Weirdworld, and now it seems Spectrum wants revenge but really she happens to stumble into, meanwhile we get the very early meetingbetween Nighthawks which hopefully will have a good payoff for its nonexistent build up. The art team of Kirk and Villanelli continue to help keep this book afloat but I’m quickly growing bored of it.

Score C

 

Venom: Space Knight #6

Story: Robbie Thompson Art: Ariel Olivetti

Synopsis:

Flash and Pik Rollo cleverly penetrated Mercurio’s defenses…by getting captured and thrown in his dungeon. Can Mercurio corrupt the symbiote to serve as his suit and partner in atrocities? Is this the return of the big bad Venom?

Review:

Venom Space Knight continues to impress as it moves along its crazy sci-fi adventure. When Flash Tompson originally took over the role of Venom as a sort of US government special ops agent, I thought it was pretty cool and liked the direction. Now that he’s this cosmos travelling, galactic defender it just seems right, and opens a very fantastic cast of characters. In this issue, we see that even when everything looks bleak, Flash still has a plan (mostly).

Score: B