Category: Marvel Comics

Written by (See Credits Below)

Art by (See Credits Below)

Cover Art by Todd Nauck & Rachelle Rosenberg

SUMMARY:

Released by Marvel Comics in 2016, this 56-page, 9”x 6” digest consists of nine reprints showcasing pivotal Avengers who star in the live-action Captain America: Civil War film.  Specifically, story content is lifted from: Marvel Adventures Super Heroes # 12 (2008); Marvel Adventures Iron Man # 9; Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes # 1 (2010); Marvel Universe Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes # 6, # 8, and # 12; Marvel Adventure Super Heroes # 17 (2010); and Avengers Vs. # 1. 

Though the stories aren’t related to the movie or even each other, the kid-friendly visual styles are deliberately reflective of the animated Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes TV series. 

The featured stories are:

• Marvel Adventures Super Heroes # 12 (2008): “Web of Deceit,” by writer Scott Gray, with art by Matteo Lolli; Christian; Vecchia; Sotocolor; & Dave Sharpe.  “If This Be P.R.O.D.O.K.!” by writer Roger Langridge, with art by Craig Rosseau; Sotocolor; & Dave Sharpe.  The cover artists are Clayton Henry & Guru-eFX. 

A recently thawed-out Captain America and Rick Jones are sucked into the internet for fun-and-games on HYDRA’s website.  The second tale reveals the Captain and Bucky’s wartime encounter with a pre-M.O.D.O.K. machine the Nazis have evidently unleashed on New York City. 

• Marvel Adventures Iron Man # 9: “The Bunker,” by writer Fred Van Lente, with art by Graham Nolan; Victor Olazaba; Martegod Gracia; & Dave Sharpe.  Cover art is by Tommy Lee Edwards.

To rescue a missing young Nebraska boy from a top-secret underground bunker, Iron Man poignantly uncovers another of his long-missing father’s buried secrets.

• Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes # 1 (2010): “Trust,” by writer Christopher Yost, with art by Patrick Scherberger; Jean-Francois Beaulieu; & Dave Sharpe.  The cover artists are Scott Wegener & Jean Francois Beaulieu. 

New teammates Black Panther and Hawkeye tangle with the female Whiplash in a warehouse showdown.

• Marvel Universe Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes # 8: “Mayhem of the Madbomb!” by writer Elliott Kalan, with art by Christopher Jones; ‘Pond Scum;’ Sotocolor; & VC’s Clayton Cowles.  The cover artists are Khoi Pham & Edgar Delgado.

Defusing HYDRA’s Madbomb in New York City, Black Panther and the Hulk work on more trust issues.

• Marvel Adventures Super-Heroes # 17: An untitled Black Widow tale by writer Paul Tobin, with art by Marcio Takara; Amilcar Pinna; Sotocolor; & Dave Sharpe.  The cover artists are Barry Kitson & Val Staples. 

Protecting a mysterious witness in Prague per Nick Fury’s orders, an increasingly irritated Black Widow runs a gauntlet of assassination attempts until she finally encounters the villain orchestrating this scheme.

• Marvel Universe Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes # 6: “Absolute Zero” by writer Rob Williams, with art by Tim Levins; Karl Kessel; Sotocolor; & VC’s Clayton Cowles.  The cover artists are Khoi Pham & Edgar Delgado.

On a SHIELD mission, Black Widow, Captain America, & Hawkeye face a desperate shoot-out vs. HYDRA to retrieve the long-hidden Zerobomb weapon from the Arctic Circle

• Avengers Vs. # 1: “Bros Before Foes,” by writer Joe Caramagna, with art by Dario Brizuuela & VC’s JC.  The cover artist is Kalman Andrasofzky.

Iron Man and a rookie Falcon team up to thwart an A.I.M. raid on a top secret SHIELD base in Nevada, unaware that M.O.D.O.K. and Loki are watching their every move.  Watch for a subtle homage to legendary Marvel comic artist Jim Steranko on the opening page.

• Marvel Universe Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes # 12: “This Man, That Monster!” by writer Christos Gage, with art by Chris Jones; Victor Olazaba; Sotocolor; & VC’s Clayton Cowles.  The cover artists are Khoi Pam & Pete Pantazis.

The Mad Thinker’s scheme to steal Bruce Banner’s gamma ray-powered abilities goes awry when Captain America is transformed into a Hulk.  Captain Marvel (Ms. Marvel), the Vision, and a now-powerless Banner are left to thwart the Thinker and a raging new Hulk.  

Note: Despite his presence in this book, the Hulk doesn’t appear in the Captain America: Civil War live-action film.

REVIEW:

Aside from its deceptive title, this hodge-podge collection delivers good action-packed stories and varying artistic styles to entertain young Avengers fans.  The best tale is likely “The Bunker,” where readers glimpse Tony Stark’s childhood coping with his estranged father, Howard.  Also, kids may like how the Captain America stories dangles a few loose ends for future use.  A parental note worth mentioning is that a corpse’s skeletal remains (the image is as tame as possible) is seen in the last panel of “Absolute Zero.” 

Otherwise, the book’s bloodless violence quotient is on a par with the cartoon TV series.  As for its potential adult appeal, Marvel Universe: Captain America – Civil War is such a quick one-and done-type read that it isn’t likely a keeper.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a complete credits page.  A single-page introduction leads off the book.  The cover images are included.  A three-page set of quick profiles are saved for last re: Captain America; Iron Man; Black Panther; Black Widow; Falcon; Hawkeye; Hulk; and Bucky/Winter Soldier.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                5 Stars

Written by Daniel Quantz & Todd Dezago Based upon Original Stories by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko

Art by Mark Brooks; Jonboy Meyers; Michael O’Hare; UDON; Pat Davidson; Derek Fridolfs; UDON’s Danimation; Larry Molinar; Virtual Calligraphy’s Randy Gentile, & Cory Petit

Cover Art by Mark Brooks & Unidentified Collaborator

SUMMARY:

Published as a Target exclusive in 2004, this 96-page episodic compilation assembles Marvel Age: Spider-Man # 5-8 from the same year. The original Stan Lee/Steve Ditko tales updated from the mid-1960’s are:

• “Face-to-Face With the Lizard!”  Anxious for a getaway, Peter Parker cons his way into investigating a mysterious lizard-man in the Florida Everglades.  Unfortunately, for Peter, J. Jonah Jameson tags along for trip.  The tale revisits Spider-Man’s first encounter with the Lizard.

• “The Return of the Vulture.”  Escaping prison, the Vulture seeks revenge on an injured Spider-Man.  Their high-flying feud leads to a showdown inside The Daily Bugle. 

• “The Terrible Threat of the Living Brain!”  Peter contends with an A.I. robot composed of ‘techno-plasm’ gone amok during a demonstration at his high school.  Complicating the matter for Peter is a boorish Flash Thompson trying to egg him into a fistfight.

• “Spider-Man Tackles the Torch!”  The high-profile debut of a metro teen center inadvertently pits friendly rivals Spider-Man and Johnny Storm/Human Torch against each other.

• “The Man Called Electro!”  A major Spider-villain makes his electrifying debut.  Peter also faces a financial crisis trying to pay for a critically-ill Aunt May’s hospital stay. 

Note: The original Lee-Ditko stories took place in Amazing Spider-Man # 6-9 (1963-64).

REVIEW:

The unique magic of Lee/Ditko’s Spider-Man finds some new life.  Even with necessary modern tweaks, these tales transport readers to a far simpler world where a rookie Spider-Man is still a very relatable high school kid.  The rudimentary artwork meant to be kid-friendly is okay, but it isn’t really much of an asset. 

For elementary schoolers, Marvel Age: Spider-Man – Everyday Hero packs a solid read.  The bigger upside is that it’s a cost-effective alternative to tracking down old Marvel Tales reprints (Issues # 3-7 and later within # 138-149) re: the original Spider-capers.      

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The Marvel Age covers are included – each in a full-page format.  The last page has black-and-white sketchbook designs for Peter Parker; Liz Allen; Big Man; and Enforcers Ox & Montana.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:             7 Stars

Written by Tom DeFalco

Art by Pat Oliffe; Ron Frenz; Al Williamson; Bill Sienkiewicz; Christy Scheele; Matt Webb; & Dave Sharpe

Cover Art by Gurihiru

SUMMARY:

Released as a 2004 Target exclusive, this 96-page digest compilation reprints Spider-Girl # 0-3 from 1998. 

In Marvel’s MC2 future alternate reality, a middle-aged and partially-crippled Peter Parker tragically retired his Spider-Man identity years before in a deadly final battle against Norman Osborn’s Green Goblin.  Now a NYPD police scientist, Peter and his wife, Mary Jane, are quietly raising their sixteen-year old daughter, May “Mayday” Parker. 

Amidst her own high school anxieties, May unwittingly discovers that she has inherited her dad’s spider-powers.  Against new threats like Crazy Eight, Mr. Nobody and a third-generation Green Goblin, a rookie Spider-Girl explores a bold new destiny against her concerned parents’ wishes.  Looking on with interest re: the new heroine are The Fantastic Five, the ominous Darkdevil, and this reality’s new generation of Avengers.   

REVIEW:

The creative team, including reliable writer Tom DeFalco, wisely seeks to recreate Spider-Man’s Silver Age as a witty teen crimefighter.  In one sense, they succeed, as Spider-Girl: Legacy is well-constructed for a pre-teen reading audience.  For all intents and purposes, this book should work, but there’s something vitally missing. 

Primarily, the free-wheeling charm of the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko era is copied, but it fall short of the original Spider-Man’s adventures. From an adult’s perspective, both the storytelling and the artwork will mostly seem lackluster.  Relegated to supporting characters as fortysomething parents, Peter and especially Mary Jane are believable enough.  The problem is that their clichéd depiction comes off middling at best, once compared to their established personas.  Even so, this Peter & Mary Jane witness the book’s magical moment re: their Spider-Girl’s official debut in style vs. a former childhood playmate.

Despite its general lack of zip, Spider-Girl: Legacy is still a reliably good read for a new generation of Spider-fans.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There is a two-page cover gallery, with two covers per page.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 6 Stars

“New Dawn”   Written by Ben Dunn. Art by Ben Dunn & GURU- eFX

“Avengers Assemble”   Written by Ken Siu-Chong [UDON]. Art by Alvin Lee; Arnold Tsang; Omar Dogan; & Shane Law [UDON]

“Eternity Twilight”   Written by Ben Dunn & Kevin Gunstone. Art by Ben Dunn & GURU- eFX

Cover Art by Taleshi Miyazawa & GURU-eFX

SUMMARY:

Published as a Target exclusive, this 2004 96-page one-shot consists of Marvel Mangaverse: New Dawn # 1 and Marvel Mangaverse: Eternity Twlight # 1 (both from 2002). 

In Marvel’s alternate-reality Mangaverse, ex-SHIELD operative Antoinette “Toni” Stark/Irongirl has assumed control of her missing older brother’s Stark Island.  In a briefing with Nick Fury, Baron Mordo, & U.S. President Steve Rogers/Captain America, she summarizes the backstory.  Presently, with the aid of scientist Dr. Bruce Banner, Stark Industries is reconstructing an ‘energy well’ to gain access to the “Negative Zone,” from which Earth can tap seemingly unlimited energy. 

Dark forces conspire to attack Stark Island to steal this energy well, as secret agendas are revealed.  Marvel’s greatest heroes fight back, but only a miracle might thwart a Godzilla-sized Hulk monster’s rampage. 

Note: Re: his appearance on the cover, the Mangaverse’s Doctor Doom isn’t in this collection.

REVIEW:

This Manga visual style is predictably disorienting, as far as which characters are supposed to be adults or teenagers.  Case in point: Black Panther/T’Challa, Mr. Fantastic, Nick Fury, and Baron Strucker are adults, but the vast majority of characters (i.e. Bruce Banner, Irongirl, Wasp) resemble glorified teenagers.  Also, some revamps click (i.e. a demonic Baron Mordo) and others don’t really amount to much of anything (i.e. Wolverine). 

Re: this Mangaverse’s Mordo, his counterpart ought to replace the original one in Marvel’s primary universe, as this Mordo is a far more interesting threat.  Overall, the stylish artwork is at least unique, in terms of oncoming surprises (confusing or not) for readers.

After overcoming a slow start, the storyline’s various plot twists start making sense.  Due to a surplus of characters, depth is limited, but the writers still find some creative ways to make it all work.  For instance, the final few pages deliver some dynamite ideas that ensure this compilation is an intriguing all-ages read.  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 6½ Stars

Written by (See Credits Below)

Art by (See Credits Below), plus Jeron Quality Color

Cover Art by Stuart Immonen & Laura Martin

SUMMARY:

As a 2004 Target exclusive, this 96-page paperback reprints four tales: Marvel Team-Up # 1 (from 1972); Uncanny X-Men # 143 (from 1981); Amazing Spider-Man # 314 (from 1991); and Incredible Hulk # 378 (from 1991).  Intentionally or not, all four tales occur on a Christmas Eve.

“Have Yourself a Sandman Little Christmas.”  Writer: Roy Thomas & Art by Ross Andru; M. Esposito; & Artie Simek. Spider-Man recruits Johnny Storm/Human Torch for a rematch vs. the Sandman.  Yet, the Sandman has other holiday plans. 

“Demon.”  Co-Writers: Chris Claremont & John Byrne & Art by John Byrne; Terry Austin; Tom Orzechowski; & Glynis Wein. Home alone at the X-Mansion, young Kitty Pryde spends a terrifying night fending off a bloodthirsty demon.

“Down and Out in Forest Hills.”  Writer: David Michelinie & Art by Todd McFarlane; Rick Parker; & Bob Sharen. Targeted in a personal vendetta, Peter and Mary Jane Watson-Parker are evicted from their condo.  In between web-slinging heroics, Peter must improvise some new lodgings for his family.

“Rhino-Plastered.”  Writer Peter David & Art by Bill Jaaska; Jeff Albrecht; Joe Rosen; & Glynis Oliver. Rick Jones entertains a group of unruly boys at a children’s hospital with an offbeat tale.  The misunderstanding involves a mall Santa’s (the Rhino’s new gig) fisticuffs with the Hulk. 

REVIEW:

To this compilation’s credit, its appeal (per the terrific cover image) should equally satisfy kids and adults.  Of the four vintage tales, despite some implied horror, “Demon” easily prevails in terms of both its high-caliber writing and artwork standing the test of time.  Peter David’s “Rhino-Plastered” deserves a honorable mention for the Hulk’s well-played holiday hijinks. 

Re: the two Spider-Man tales, both make good reads — only most of the faded artwork in “Down and Out in Forest Hills” doesn’t age well.  Overall, at a reasonable price, Marvel Age: Holiday Special offers an entertaining buy.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Full-page replicas of the covers are included.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  6½ Stars

Written by (See Below)

Art by (See Below)

Cover Art by Dave Cockrum & John Cassady

SUMMARY:

Released as a 2006 Target exclusive, this 96-page digest compilation reprints X-Men #1-2 (1963) and Giant-Size X-Men # 1 (1975). 

• X-Men # 1 “X-Men.” Writer: Stan Lee & Artwork by Jack Kirby; Paul Reinman; & Sam Rosen.  Professor X’s young squad (Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Iceman, & the Beast) debuts.  After Jean Grey’s Marvel Girl joins the team, their first mission is thwart Magneto’s high-stakes terrorist strike against the Cape Citadel military base. 

• X-Men # 2 “No One Can Stop the Vanisher!”  Writer: Stan Lee & Artwork by Jack Kirby; Paul Reinman; & Sam Rosen.  The team faces public humiliation attempting to thwart the elusive Vanisher’s mutant teleportation powers.

• Giant-Size X-Men # 1 “Second Genesis!” Writer: Len Wein & Artwork by Dave Cockrum; Glynis Wein; & John Costanza.  With the X-Men missing-in-action, Professor X recruits a new international generation (Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Sunfire, Storm, Thunderbird, Banshee, & Colossus) of X-Men to rescue them.  Cyclops escapes to lead the new recruits into a frenzied battle vs. the living island known as Krakoa.  The lives of the captive X-Men (Marvel Girl, Iceman, Angel, Polaris, & Havok) are at stake. 

REVIEW:

It’s no surprise that X-Men # 1-2 suffers from stale dialogue, but the Silver Age nostalgia factor makes up the difference.  Even more so, courtesy of its inspired creative team, Giant-Size X-Men # 1 remains a revelation.  An added bonus of some Marvel Universe handbook materials serves up another asset.  Considering the rarity of these reprints, this kid-friendly X-Men Classic makes a storytelling treat for any X-fan. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The covers are reprinted in a full-page format.  From the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: X-Men 2004, two-page entries are reprinted for Beast; Colossus; Cyclops; Iceman; and (three pages) Professor X.  Handbook portraits are by artist John Cassady (Beast & Cyclops,) Scott Johnson (Colossus), Carlos Pacheco (Iceman) and Aaron Lopresti (Professor X).  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       8 Stars

Written by Fred Van Lente

Art by Andrea Di Vito & Salva Espin

Cover Art by Salvador Espin & Brad Anderson

SUMMARY:

As a 2008 Target exclusive, this 96-page paperback reprints Wolverine: First Class # 1-4 from the same year.  As the newest X-Men rookie, teenager Kitty Pryde is assigned by Professor X as Logan/Wolverine’s unwanted protégé.        

“The Buddy System.”  At Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, a precocious Kitty’s first lesson is a field trip with her less-than-thrilled new mentor, Wolverine.  Wearing her X-Men uniform for the first time, Kitty helps Wolverine locate an unknown mutant hiding in a small West Virginia town.  Her teen insights may be the duo’s only chance of figuring out why a town-wide mob is targeting mutants. 

“Surprise!!”  Angling for a favor from a teammate with a valid driver’s license, Kitty gets far more than she bargained for.  Birthday boy Wolverine smells something’s up after Kitty coordinates a birthday night dinner out, which includes his girlfriend, Mariko.  At a ninja castle-themed restaurant in Tribeca, a malicious Sabretooth aims to personally serve up more of Wolverine’s annual humiliation ‘gift.’

“The Last Knights of Wundagore, Parts I-II.”  Searching for Magneto in Wundagore, Kitty & Wolverine become entangled in a deadly feud between the High Evolutionary and his ex-protégé. 

REVIEW:

While the book’s two-parter invariably drags at times, the first two stories are well-played tales from writer Fred Van Lente.  They nicely explore the surrogate kid sister chemistry Kitty establishes with an extra-grumpy Wolverine.  Despite the outlandish circumstances re: “Last Knights of Wundagore,” Van Lente maintains the delightful ‘odd couple’ banter between these two X-Men. 

In terms of consistency, artists Andrea Di Vito & Salva Espin, along with the cover art teams, provide top-notch visuals that should prove appealing to adults and kids alike.  Overall, this Wolverine: First Class book makes a welcome read to X-Men fans and deserves a chance at re-discovery.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Each issue’s cover art is reprinted in a full-page format.  The cover artists are: Espin & Anderson (Issue # 1); Leonard Kirk & Moose Baumann (Issue # 2); Espin (Issue # 3); and Alan Davis, Mark Farmer, & Paul Mounts (Issue # 4). 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       7 Stars

Note: Also available is the 120-page Wolverine: First Class, Vol. 1: The Rookie trade paperback, which includes these four issues.

Written by (See Credits Below)

Art by (See Credits Below)

Cover Art by John Livesay & Lee Loughbridge

SUMMARY:

As a 2007 Target exclusive, this 96-page paperback reprints single stories from one-shots: Spider-Man Family # 1 (2005); Spider-Man Family Featuring Amazing Friends # 1 (2006); and Spider-Man Family Featuring Spider-Clan # 1 (2006). 

“Old Enemies Never Die!”  Writers: Tom DeFalco & Ron Lim; Art by Ron Lim; Norm Rapmund; Avalon Studios’ Rob Ro; Dave Sharpe; and cover artists Ron Lim & Paul Mounts.  In the alternate-reality MC2, teenager Spider-Girl (May Parker) investigates a resurfaced animated cartoon DVD parodying her retired father, Spider-Man.  A flashback features Spider-Man teaming up with Araña.  Also making appearances are Miguel (Araña’s mentor), Spider-Ham/Peter Porker, a female Jack O’Lantern, and MC2’s Peter Parker.

“Opposites Attack!”  Writer: Sean McKeever; Art by Patrick Olliffe, Casey Jones; Kano; Nick Dragotta; John Livesay; Vince Russell; Alvaro Lopez; Art Monkey’s Melanie Olsen; & Lee Loughridge.  Cover Art is by Livesay & Loughridge.  In a witty homage to the Spider-Man And His Amazing Friends’ animated series 25^th Anniversary, Spider-Man mingles with Iceman (Bobby Drake) & Firestar (Angelica Jones).  The happily-married webslinger comically plays matchmaker for a literally hot-and-cold romance.  Supporting characters include Mary Jane Watson-Parker; Shocker; Beetle; and Video Man.   

“Elemental Evil.”  Writer: C.B. Cebulski & Art by Skottie Young; Jean-Francois Beaulieu; & Virtual Caligraphy’s Randy Gentile.  The cover art is uncredited, but the artist might be Young. In a dark, manga-like alternate reality, young Peter Parker overcomes a second tragic death to pursue his ominous destiny.  Awaiting him is the demonic, ninja-like Spider-Clan.

Note: Despite their presence on the cover, neither Spider-Man 2099 nor the vampire bat appear in this collection.

REVIEW:

The first two stories are very much on their game, as both the plotting and artwork exceed expectations.  What’s even better is that both of these tales balance the right amount of self-parody and in-jokes with quality storytelling.  Both are welcome reads for Spider-fans, regardless of age. 

However, the dark nature of “Elemental Evil” makes it a dubious choice, in terms of kid-friendly entertainment.  Considering a homicide victim is skewered by a giant spider, Marvel Comics should have reconsidered why its bleak, horror-themed ambiance is a poor fit vs. the two more upbeat, kid-friendly stories.  Still, should one find this book at a decent price, Marvel: Spider-Man Family is well worth the price of admission. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Each issue’s cover art is mostly reprinted in a full-page format.  Two-page Marvel Handbook reprints are for Electro (Max Dillon) and Hobgoblin (Roderick Kingsley), though, oddly, neither character appears in this compilation.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   6½ Stars