Month: November 2021

Written by Kurt Busiek

Art by Pat Broderick; Sam De La Rosa; Joe Rosen; & Tom Smith

Cover Art by Pat Broderick & ‘After Bernardo’

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Shadow Games, Part 3: Shadowfall,” Marvel Comics released the conclusion of this three-part mini-series for July 1994.  Outside Washington, D.C., The Daily Bugle gets wind of a brewing government cover-up outside the complex hiding Shadowforce’s underground bunker.   Spider-Man & X-Factor (Havok, Polaris, Wolfsbane, Strong Guy, & Multiple Man) are in New York City to tangle with Mirrorshade to save Flash Thompson’s life. 

Pursuing Shadowforce back to its bunker, it’s up to Spidey & X-Factor (now including Forge) to thwart these renegade super-commandoes from detonating the complex in a desperate extortion scheme.  The question is: with Shadowforce now exposed to the public, who will get the last laugh?  

REVIEW:

Overcoming an uninspired cover image, this three-part series completes its hat trick as a terrific Spidey team-up.  Not only does writer Kurt Busiek juggle all the necessary characters well, the art squad’s visual consistency throughout these series is commendable.  Reminiscent of the original Marvel Team-Up series, Shadowgames # 3 is consistently well-played.      

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The “Bullpen Bulletins” column includes questions for Marvel’s in-house archivist. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      7 Stars

Written by Kurt Busiek

Art by Pat Broderick; Bruce Patterson; Sam De La Rosa; Keith Williams; Tom Smith; & Joe Rosen

Cover Art by Pat Broderick

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Shadow Games, Part 2: Shadowclash,” Marvel Comics released the middle issue of this three-part mini-series for June 1994.  Per Issue # 1, Shadowforce is a supposedly reformed group of ex-cons imbued with experimental super-powers and brainwashed into service as U.S. covert-ops commandoes.  Joining forces with Spider-Man, X-Factor (Havok, Polaris, Wolfsbane, Strong Guy, & Multiple Man) are now engaged in battle against the renegade Shadowforce. 

Forced to abandon X-Factor to pursue Shadowforce’s Mirrorshade, Spider-Man departs their adversaries’ underground bunker outside Washington, D.C. to head back to New York City by train.  On a deserted stretch of track, the battle re-commences, as Spidey must face Shadowforce alone (in a rematch from Issue # 1).  Despite holding his own, an outnumbered Spider-Man needs reinforcements. 

Meanwhile, the elusive Mirrorshade is in New York City stalking Flash Thompson – having committed itself to fulfilling a sarcastic comment it overheard Spidey previously made.  

REVIEW:

Despite its routine plot, all the necessary goods are delivered.  As writer Kurt Busiek’s kid-friendly script keeps on rolling, the art squad’s visuals are consistently high-caliber.  For fans of the classic Marvel Team-Up series, Shadowgames # 2 continues an entertaining Spidey team-up caper.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Including comments from several industry legends, the “Bullpen Bulletins” column remembers Jack Kirby.  The foldout back cover includes plugs for Black Cat # 1; Force Works # 1; Blade the Vampire-Hunter # 1; Galactic Guardians # 1; and a continuing crossover – Night Thrasher # 12, Nova # 7, and New Warriors # 49.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      7 Stars

Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

Art by Angel Medina; Scott Hanna; Avalon’s Dan Kemp; & Cory Petit

Cover Art by Angel Medina

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Feral, Part 2 of 5: Cat Scratch Fever,” Marvel Comics released this issue for May 2006.  The Lizard and now a Lizard Jr. are on a deadly dual rampage, as even Spider-Man suffers a gory wound.  Defending her injured friend, Felicia Hardy’s Black Cat faces Dr. Curt Connors’ Lizard in vicious combat at point-blank range.  Also on the loose is Vermin, who has suffered a relapse into animalistic impulses. 

At Stark Tower, Mary Jane Watson-Parker and Aunt May are targeted by an enigmatic threat posing as John Jameson.  Both Spider-Man and Black Cat are bewildered by her reckless impulse for bloodthirsty action.  A rifle-wielding bystander’s response may result in a heartbreaking tragedy.      

REVIEW:

As a parental advisory, this issue’s violence and gore content isn’t appropriate for pre-teen readers.  Aside from that, writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s dark “Feral” storytelling is consistent with a sci-fi/horror film, as there’s multiple grisly predators at large.  For adults, this issue takes some intriguing twists, no matter if they’re predictable in the horror genre.

Including a well-played cover image, the art squad’s visuals are generally high-caliber.  Unsurprisingly, there’s at least one suggestive pin-up pose included for Black Cat.  Perhaps the more eyebrow-raising quirk is artist Angel Medina’s propensity for over-exaggerating character noses, as if reminiscent of cartoony witches.  For instance, one such close-up panel makes Mary Jane and May’s facial features (and even their ages) far too similar – an oddity in itself. 

Still, once all creative factors considered, The Sensational Spider-Man # 24 most likely won’t disappoint adult fans eager for a ghoulish read. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7 Stars