Month: January 2021

Written by Dennis Hopeless

Art by Greg Land; Jay Leisten; Frank D’Armata; Travis Lanham; & W. Scott Forbes

Cover Art by Greg Land & Frank D’Armata

SUMMARY:

Published for May 2015 by Marvel Comics, per the first page summary, this untitled issue depicts two ongoing Spider-Verse storylines.  While Silk seeks refuge on a post-nuclear holocaust alternate Earth, Jessica Drew is busily impersonating her evil counterpart on Morlun’s home planet, Loomworld. 

Evading Morlun’s creepy advances, Jessica relies on her stealth powers to infiltrate deep inside the enemy’s palace.  She encounters the captive Master Weaver, whose mystical control of the ‘Web of Fate’ is being corrupted by Morlun’s forces.  After covertly teleporting the Weaver’s secrets scrolls to Spider-Man in another dimension, Jessica flees the palace aboard a speedboat in Loomworld’s harbor.

Taken captive by her evil counterpart’s new pirate cronies, Jessica may need an assist from Silk and Spider-Gwen for a high seas showdown.  Their storyline continues in Amazing Spider-Man # 13.

Note: Artist W. Scott Forbes also created a variant cover.

REVIEW:

Though artist Greg Land’s work is stellar (i.e. the cover image), the same doesn’t apply to writer Dennis Hopeless’ somewhat confusing storyline.  For instance, Silk’s angle depicts her ongoing dilemma on an apocalyptic parallel Earth; yet, she can teleport in with Spider-Gwen for the plot’s convenience. 

Unless Silk’s unrevealed escape (or rescue) is shown in another Spider-Verse-related comic, Hopeless isn’t playing fair with readers.  Further, Jessica’s likable narrative is well-played, but, again, exactly how Spider-Woman escapes Morlun’s palace isn’t divulged.  One can only assume that the ever-wicked Morlun is too conceited to pay for quality security. 

Perhaps the problem lies with basic implausibility.  Whether it’s Spider-Woman inadvertently finding the captive Master Weaver, with ease … or her stumbling dialogue fooling a gullible Morlun, who is only mildly annoyed rather than suspicious … or the outnumbered Spider-Ladies’ good-natured banter facing down a crew of monstrous pirates, Hopeless’ underwhelming tale doesn’t bite enough reality in these unlikely scenarios.  Spider Woman # 3 has a few entertaining moments, but its middling script too often squanders some intriguing characters.     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The single-page “Caught Up in the Spider-Verse” is a checklist for upcoming related issues, as well as for cover reveals of Amazing Spider-Man # 13; Scarlet Spiders # 3; and Spider-Woman # 4.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     6 Stars

Written by Mark Millar

Art by Bryan Hitch; Paul Neary; Paul Mounts; & Chris Eliopoulos

Cover Art by Bryan Hitch

SUMMARY:

Published for July 2003, Marvel’s Ultimate alternate-reality imprint has this untitled story begin with an explosive flashback to snowy Poland — 1944.  Aboard an enemy train, Captain America seemingly has the last say vs. the nefarious Herr Kleiser’s Nazi-affiliated forces.  A year later, hints of Cap’s last wartime mission are dropped during a top-secret briefing in Marrakesh. 

Over present-day Micronesia, Cap’s Ultimates and Col. Nick Fury’s SHIELD armada storm the alien shape-shifting Chitauri’s island base.  A nuclear (possibly gamma-irradiated) inferno soon engulfs the region.  Elsewhere, at the Triskelion, a hospitalized Wasp/Janet Pym realizes in horror that the Chitauri are far closer to home than anyone realizes.   

Note: In spite of the cover image, Iron Man appears in a single panel.

REVIEW:

Revisiting this series, one should instantly recognize some creative elements that were lifted for the live-action Avengers films (i.e. the Samuel L. Jackson version of Nick Fury and Cap’s uniform).  Considering the quality of writer Mike Millar’s gritty scripting and the art squad’s excellent visuals, it’s no wonder The Ultimates attracted filmmakers. 

For this particular issue, Millar gives Cap, Wasp, and Fury most of the screen time, and the result is, frankly, dynamite storytelling.  Millar’s only glitch is his less-than-Asgardian portrayal of Thor, who, intentionally or not, treads closer to the Eric Masterson knock-off, Thunderstrike.  As for artist Bryan Hitch and his colleagues, their work (for instance, the facial close-ups and the Micronesian inferno) is top-caliber.  The Ultimates # 10 is definitely worth tracking down.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The first page is a helpful synopsis of this series-to-date.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    9 Stars

Written by Mike Carey

Art by Brandon Peterson; Justin Ponsor; & VC’s Cory Petit

Cover Art by Brandon Peterson

SUMMARY:

Published by Marvel Comics for April 2007, it’s the untitled third chapter of a five-part mini-series.  In Marvel’s Ultimate universe, a female alien android is dubbed ‘The Vision.’  Aboard an orbiting A.I.M. satellite above Earth, a Gah Lak Tus module has transformed Dr. George Tartleton into a monstrous cyborg.  As the crumbling satellite burns a trajectory towards Earth’s surface, Vision and an A.I.M. android (resembling a little girl) named Dima try to evade Tartleton’s wrath. 

Nick Fury sends a squadron of fighter jets to bomb the satellite’s impact crater.  Though Dima and the Vision may escape the satellite’s destruction, the Gah Lak Tus module stands ready to intercept them.    

REVIEW:

Bolstered by glossy, top-caliber artwork, this issue is certainly a compelling sci-fi read.  To his credit, writer Mike Carey justifies the ‘Ultimate Vision’ as a surprisingly appealing heroine.  Even more so, the art team manages to create movie-like ‘special effects,’ particularly in Vision’s battle scene with the Tartleton cyborg. 

The same can be said of their depiction of the satellite’s destruction in Earth’s atmosphere and to its crater in the South California desert.  Hence, Ultimate Vision # 3 proves an underrated gem worth re-discovery.       

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    8 Stars

Written by Jason Aaron

Art by Russell Dauterman; Matthew Wilson; VC’s Joe Sabino

Cover Art by Chris Sprouse; Karl Story; & Marte Garcia

SUMMARY:

Published by Marvel Comics for January 2016, this Battleworld one-shot cross-over is entitled “If He Be Worthy.”  Beneath the Norwegian Sea, a Roxxon exploratory craft and its adjacent base are attacked by Frost Giants.  The Frost Giants besiege Roxxon and the Atlanteans who have attempted to protect them.  On the moon, not even Odin can pick up the now-immovable Mjolnir. 

When word reaches Asgardia of the Frost Giant attack on Earth, Odin and his wife, Freyja, argue over whether or not to intervene.  Intercepting his old foes, an exhausted and under-powered Thor is easily dispatched.  He’s also easy prey for the evil elf, Malekith.  Malekith and the Frost Giants have made an ominous bargain to retrieve an unknown item that the Frost Giants want from the Roxxon Corporation.  As Thor faces a watery grave, a mysterious woman claims Mjolnir and transforms into Thor: Goddess of Thunder.    

Note: This comic is credited as a ‘Hasbro Custom Edition,’ conveying that it is a promo for Marvel Legends action figures.  This issue contains a ‘special edition’ of The Mighty Thor # 1.

REVIEW:

Bolstered by top-tier artwork, this issue is an excellent effort in terms of setting up a new Thor storyline.  Thor’s intriguing predicaments aside, the best moments pertain to the royal friction between Odin & Freyja, as well as the well-played enigma introducing the new female Thor.  Impressively, this comic proves a great read!       

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a single-page pin-up of both Thors in apparent conflict vs. one another by artists Russell Dautermann and Matthew Wilson.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    8 Stars

Written by Peter David

Art by Roger Robinson; Jimmy Palmiotti; Ken Lopez; & Ch’Ch’a Wang

Cover Art by Roger Robinson & Scott Koblish

SUMMARY:

Published by Marvel Comics for May 1995, this title is entitled “Route 666.” A hitchhiking ambush leaves Miguel O’Hara drugged and stranded on a desolate stretch of desert road.  Rescued by his friend, Dash, Miguel finds out that the delivery driver’s 16-wheeler-like train/bus is carrying a bizarre cargo. 

Playing Dash’s blockade runner, Spider-Man 2099 finds himself fending off a demonic gang of motorcycle-riding bat-monsters.  While someone that Miguel didn’t expect to see is also among Dash’s passengers, ominously superior numbers may finally catch up to this Spider-Man’s nightmare.     

REVIEW:

Supported by some fairly good artwork (including a spot-on cover image), writer Peter David conjures up a potentially entertaining premise.  The problem is his hackneyed script doesn’t really try hard enough to make it worth more than a single read. 

While David links this tale as a follow-up to recent events that Miguel O’Hara has experienced, one doesn’t get much incentive from reading “Route 666” to go find these relevant back issues.  The enjoyable action sequences are the sole highlight, as Spider-Man 2099 # 31 is otherwise instantly forgettable.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a single-page “Reality Bytes 2099” news-and-notes column.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    4 Stars

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