Month: November 2024

Written by Marguerite Bennett & G. Willow Wilson.

Art by Jorge Molina; Craig Yeung; Walden Wong; Laura Martin; Matt Milla; & VC’s Cory Petit.

Collection Cover Art by Jim Cheung & Laura Martin.

SUMMARY:

Released by Marvel Comics in 2015, this 112-page trade paperback compiles the original A-Force # 1-5 mini-series from that same year. 

Per an opening Star Wars-like crawl, Marvel’s brief Secret Wars introduction specifies that, in this reality, the multiverse was destroyed, leaving remnants of various Earths transformed into the makeshift Battleworld.  Now divided into secluded domains/kingdoms, Battleworld is under Doctor Doom’s supreme rule. Among these turfs is the idyllic island of Arcadia where Marvel’s heroines reside.  Their chosen leader is She-Hulk, who is both Baroness of Arcadia and A-Force’s commander. 

A seemingly routine patrol pits A-Force against a prehistoric shark-like Megalodon.  America Chavez’s angry dispatching of this aquatic predator violates Battleworld law and forces She-Hulk to permanently exile her.  Though comforted by a female Loki, Sister Grimm is devastated at losing her best friend. 

At She-Hulk’s behest, a trio of Sub-Mariners: Namor, Namora, and Namorita investigate an underwater extradimensional portal that then vanishes.  Meanwhile, Sister Grimm meets and hides a mysterious new friend – who later reveals her name as Singularity. 

Overriding Medusa’s criticisms, She-Hulk insists the team continue probing these extradimensional breaches.  One of them brings a Sentinel to Arcadia to battle its defenders.  Due to Singularity’s powers, She-Hulk subsequently lands in a decimated New York City where she faces multiple Sentinels and three female Thors: Valkyrie, Sif, and Gamora. 

She-Hulk is now convinced that a traitor exists on Arcadia and is responsible for these extradimensional intrusions.  More so, she believes that Singularity is being framed for the subsequently dangerous repercussions.  Following She-Hulk home to Arcadia, the three Thors ensure that one defiant A-Force member meets death. 

Grieving, She-Hulk and her team at last confront A-Force’s power-hungry traitor.  In retribution, the culprit disables Battleworld’s impenetrable shielding, which allows a mass invasion of dead male villains (now zombies) to attack Arcadia.  Despite A-Force’s vast firepower, they are forced to mount a desperate counterattack.  Still, it’s up to perhaps Arcadia’s most emotionally innocent resident to make an ultimate sacrifice. 

Assuming Arcadia survives, She-Hulk must determine the futures of both A-Force and Arcadia itself.      

Note: This title is also available digitally.

REVIEW:

It’s a great premise that falls far short of a potentially fun read.  Between this art squad’s generally above-average visuals (there are some mediocre panels) and Marvel’s female star power, neither can salvage a nonsensical plot lacking surprises.  Let’s just concede that the traitorous culprit’s identity isn’t a shocker whatsoever.

Still, seeing She-Hulk in command conveys intriguing potential.  Her lead role, unfortunately, is sabotaged by a contrived storyline evidently taking a round-trip to nowhere.  Case in point: exactly how She-Hulk gains insight in deducing an Arcadian traitor and, soon afterward, that culprit’s identity isn’t revealed.  Co-writers Marguerite Bennett and G. Willow Wilson eventually have She-Hulk disclose one ‘gotcha’ clue later on, but, by then, it’s a few too many eyerolls late. 

Among such eyerolls is why no one (not even stalwart X-Men like Dazzler, Jean Grey, or Storm) recognizes a vintage Sentinel – such continuity (or lack thereof) doesn’t make sense.  Even more so is why ‘A-Force,’ in most scenes, consists of She-Hulk, Captain Marvel, Jessica Drew’s Spider-Woman, Sister Grimm, Dazzler, and only a few others.  Seemingly dozens of other members (essentially, all the Marvel heroines and some men: i.e. Bucky Barnes, Luke Cage, Black Bolt, Commander Steve Rogers, and a white-haired Hulk), otherwise, conveniently vanish for long stretches without explanation until needed. 

This enormous plot hole alone clinches why A-Force, Volume 0 can’t muster a worthwhile storyline. Exacerbating the matter is that Marvel skimps on readers by not supplying any reprints to compensate for such mediocre storytelling.  Adding a reprint of 1982’s original Avengers # 221 (where She-Hulk is first recruited in an A-Force-like plot), for instance, would have surely boosted this book’s flimsy page count towards a more respectable number. 

That said, due to its flawed gimmickry, the weak A-Force, Volume 0: War Zones! should be deemed at best as a library find. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Each full-page primary cover precedes its story.  The primary cover artists include Issue # 1 (Jim Cheung & Laura Martin); and then Issues # 2-5 (Jorge Molina).  Make no mistake: these primary covers make for some dynamite visuals.

The cover variants consist of: Issue # 1 (artists: 1. Russell Dauterman & Matthew Wilson – full page; 2. Skottie Young – full page; 3. Jorge Molina – 1/3 page; 4. Adam Hughes – 1/3 page; & 5. Stephanie Hans – 1/3 page); Issue # 2 (artist: Kris Anka – 1/3 page); Issue # 3 (artist: Kevin Wada – 1/3 page); and Issue # 4 (artist: Toshirou Chiba – 1/3 page).  The Samnee Kirby ‘monster’ variant cover for Issue # 5 isn’t included. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                             4 Stars

‘Mockingbird # 6-8’ Written by Chelsea Cain.

‘Mockingbird # 6-8’ Art by Kate Niemczyk; Sean Parsons; Rachelle Rosenberg; & & VC’s Joe Caramagna.

‘New Avengers # 13-14’ Written by Brian Michael Bendis.

‘New Avengers # 13’ Art by Mike Deodato; Howard Chaykin (for ‘Avengers 1959’ flashbacks); Rain Beredo; Edgar Delgado; & VC’s Joe Caramagna.

‘New Avengers # 14’ Art by Mike Deodato; Rain Beredo; & VC’s Joe Caramagna.

Collection Cover Art by Joëlle Jones & Rachelle Rosenberg.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2017 by Marvel Comics, this 130-page trade paperback completes Mockingbird’s short-lived solo series (2016’s Issues # 6-8), with additional reprints courtesy of 2011’s New Avengers # 13-14. 

Set during the events of 2016’s Civil War II, Bobbi “Mockingbird” Morse seeks a respite out of town. Specifically, she seeks escape from her ex-husband’s (Clint “Hawkeye” Barton) high-profile murder trial for killing Dr. Bruce Banner.  Intrigued by a ticket/boarding pass booked under her former married name for The Diamond Porpoise’s annual ‘Nerd Cruise,’ Bobbi accepts this anonymous invitation that promises secret information that she’ll want.

Along with her boyfriend, SHIELD agent Lance Hunter, and his pet corgi, Ka-Zar, now in tow, Bobbi seeks out intel vital to her ex-husband’s legal defense that her unknown benefactor seemingly has.  Oddly enough, elements of the cruise’s theme pay homage to Hawkeye (and his current predicament). A subsequent shipboard homicide prompts Bobbi and Lance to be deputized to conduct a makeshift investigation – with several fellow guests/Marvel-friendly cosplayers as potential suspects. 

Once the vessel is treading The Bermuda Triangle’s waters, Bobbi’s growing suspicions are confirmed.  A long-awaited (and possibly final) showdown with a dreaded supernatural nemesis is evidently in the cards dealt to Mockingbird.     

New Avengers roster: Luke Cage; Jessica Jones-Cage; Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers); The Thing; Spider-Man; Iron Fist; Squirrel Girl; Dr. Strange; Wolverine; Mockingbird; & Victoria Hand, along with guest stars Hawkeye, Nick Fury, & Jessica Drew’s Spider Woman.

In New Avengers # 13, a comatose Bobbi is in intensive care after suffering an abdominal wound during an Avengers assignment gone awry paired with Benjamin “The Thing” Grimm.  The team desperately interrogates an uncooperative witness to locate H.A.M.M.E.R.’s fugitive Superia.  It’s possible only Superia’s illicit science has the means of saving Bobbi’s life. 

Revelations from the Avengers 1959 era confirm the Nazis seemingly concocted their own Super-Soldier Serum (the Infinity Formula) to replicate Captain America’s powers.  It’s the same formula that Nick Fury himself had been endowed with decades ago.  In the present-day, once the smoke of an explosive showdown clears, Hawkeye and Nick Fury tensely argue Bobbi’s medical fate.  Though the immediate effect is apparent, no one knows how the Infinity Formula will forever change Mockingbird. 

New Avengers # 14 depicts a now-rejuvenated Mockingbird describing her insights on her life-and-death experience.  In a set-up towards the Fear Itself arc, Spider-Man (now a Fantastic Four member) resigns his membership.  His open mistrust of Victoria Hand (and her reciprocal anger) builds dissension amongst the team, as to Hand’s true allegiance. 

Meanwhile, Sin (the Red Skull’s daughter) and her Nazi-affiliated robotic forces launch a destructive attack on New York City.  Initially adrenalized by her new powers in battle, Mockingbird feels ashamed upon witnessing the loss of Avengers Tower.  Bobbi admits a grim epiphany, as to why she thinks destiny has set up her ‘resurrection.’          

Note: This title is also available digitally.

REVIEW (Beware of Spoilers):

On the surface, tag-teaming Chelsea Cain’s plotting with this wonderful art team (i.e. Joëlle Jones & Rachelle Rosenberg’s high-caliber covers) remains a creative gem.  Including some fun thought process scenes (a bit like the BBC’s Sherlock TV series), the adult charm emanating from Cain’s witty take on Mockingbird is as endearing as her Volume 1.   

Hence, having Cain concoct a spoofy Agatha Christie-like shipboard murder-mystery for Bobbi to sleuth makes good sense … initially.  Up to Issue #7’s end, one might have hoped that Cain wasn’t resorting to a creative rabbit hole that Marvel had already sufficiently mined in Mockingbird & Hawkeye’s post Secret Invasion team-ups.  Ruining a potentially solid and quirky series finale (i.e. perhaps Bobbi has another persistent, yet unexpected, stalker obsessed with her?), Cain opts to revisit 1986-87’s controversial West Coast Avengers # 18-23.

Exploiting the ghostly Phantom Rider’s sexual obsession with Mockingbird is a mighty blah twist for concluding Mockingbird’s well-deserved solo series.  More specifically, having Bobbi now concede that her marriage ended due to consensual adultery with Phantom Rider makes no sense. 

Cain’s retroactive ramifications essentially setting aside Bobbi’s abduction, brainwashing, and inferred rape by Phantom Rider years before makes for, at best, a bold yet utterly misguided plot twist.  Had Cain depicted Bobbi instead copping to a different suppressed/off-screen extramarital fling with somebody else (not named Lincoln Slade/Phantom Rider) during her subsequent estrangement from Hawkeye, that at least would have been plausible.

It’s unfortunate that this series’ promise ends with a contrived soap opera nosedive to alter Mockingbird’s most notorious character arc.  In retrospect, it would have made better sense for Marvel Comics to publish Mockingbird # 1-8 as a single volume.  That way, readers could best enjoy Cain’s exuberant sense of spy humor in a more cohesive manner. 

To boost this book’s otherwise ultra-slim page count, Marvel instead offers 2011’s New Avengers # 13-14 as compensation.  Given the excellent artwork and Brian Michael Bendis’ intriguing yet humorless plotting, it’s a welcome tradeoff after the disappointing shortfall (including a tiresome Fight Club recurring gag) in Cain’s storytelling.

Overall, Mockingbird, Volume 2: My Feminist Agenda begins with amusing potential, but Cain’s whodunnit caper fizzles out.  It’s then left to some suspenseful reprints (at most, they’re a prequel to Bobbi’s current phase) to make up the difference.  Frankly, finding this book at the library makes the most practical sense.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Each full-page Joëlle Jones & Rachelle Rosenberg cover precedes its issue (Mockingbird # 6-8).  The same applies to New Avengers # 13-14 by cover artists Mike Deodato & Rain Beredo. 

Writer Chelsea Cain includes a delightful news brief (“The Daily Blowhole”) from The Diamond Porpoise – including a Marvel in-joke as to the ship captain’s identity.  Cain concludes her stint with a page-long and insightful ‘thank-you’ note to her fellow Mockingbird contributors.  Also inserted is a comical page of Bobbi’s silhouetted yoga poses, courtesy of artist Manny Mederos.     

Artists Kate Niemczyk and Joëlle Jones split the last page: Niemczyk’s Bobbi and Ka-Zar the Corgi concept sketches, along with three black-and-white cover sketches below from Jones. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     5½ Stars

 ‘Incredible Hulk # 600-605’ Back-Up Tales Written by Fred Van Lente.

‘Incredible Hulk # 600-605’ Back Up Tales Art by Michael Ryan; Salva Espin (Issue # 600); Sergio Ariño (Issue # 605); Guru eFX; & Simon Bowland.

‘Fall of The Hulks: The Savage She-Hulks # 1-3’ Written by Jeff Parker.

‘Fall of The Hulks: Savage She-Hulks # 1-3’ Art by Salva Espin; Zach Howard (Issue # 1); Jonboy Meyers (Issues # 2-3); Guru eFX; & VC’s Joe Caramagna.

Collection Composite Cover Art by J. Scott Campbell & Peter Steigerwald. 

SUMMARY:

Released in 2010 by Marvel Comics, this 136-page trade paperback compiles Lyra’s back-up tales from Incredible Hulk # 600-605, which then leads into Fall of The Hulks: The Savage She-Hulks # 1-3.  These materials were all first published in 2009-2010. 

In a lone crusade to locate the missing Jennifer “Jen” Walters’ She-Hulk, her second cousin, Lyra (Bruce Banner & Thundra’s daughter from a future alternate reality), first battles her way through killer cyborgs from another alternate reality.  Against orders, Lyra and an ill-fated fellow A.R.M.O.R. (Alternate Reality Monitor and Operations Response Agency) operative, Alex Erde, deparrt to investigate Jen’s last known whereabouts in Death Valley. 

Lyra and Alex’s possible romance is short-lived, as they are attacked by three female rogues: Aberration, Morass, and Axon.  This trio has been sent by H.A.M.M.E.R.’s military wing – per Norman Osborn’s instructions to capture Lyra for genetic harvesting.

As it’s revealed, these three female villains had previously escaped military justice by agreeing to become artificially mutated: specifically, by experimentation on genes from Abomination, Zzzax, and the Glob.  The trio’s psychotic natures and willingness to kill defenseless innocents forces Lyra to improvise.  While the backstory of each villainess is revealed, Lyra fights back against them one by one.  It’s up to Lyra to protect the survivors of a secluded small town caught up in the destructive crossfire. 

With help from her A.I.-powered ‘Boudicca’ wristband, Lyra finally locates Death Valley’s abandoned Gamma Base.  Instead of gaining further intel re: Jen Walters’ fate, Lyra encounters an unexpected adversary.  A flashback depicts Lyra’s furious confrontation with her future mother, Thundra, in the American Southwest.  From afar, watching with keen interest are MODOK, the Leader, and members of the Wizard’s Frightful Four.  Off-screen are presumably the Red Hulk and the now-corrupted Doc Samson, as they had abducted Jen Walters from the abandoned Gamma Base in Incredible Hulk # 600.       

Having rejected the Wizard’s recruitment offer, Lyra is attacked by the Frightful Four’s Klaw and Trapster.  The arrival of the ominous Red She-Hulk finally convinces a weary Lyra to join their scheme – ostensibly to gain vengeance upon Thundra.  Aboard the Intellgencia’s modified helicarrier, it’s revealed that Lyra has since helped the Frightful Four raid The Baxter Building and abduct Reed “Mr. Fantastic” Richards.  No further word of the Fantastic Four’s involvement is mentioned. 

Meanwhile, Lyra’s true mission is accomplished: rescuing a captive Jen Walters from Intellgencia captivity.  Jen’s rechargeable gamma radiation is evidently being siphoned by the villains.  Hence, Lyra witnesses her beloved cousin being used as a gamma-powered battery by The Intelligencia for its nefarious purposes.   

Amidst a full-scale assault on the helicarrier by Jen’s allies (i.e. Wolverine, Skaar, Rick Jones, Spider-Man, Sub-Mariner, and The Hulk), Jen convinces Lyra of Thundra’s actual intentions.  Attacked by the Red She-Hulk, Jen and Lyra soon find themselves on a chaotic Washington, D.C. battlefield.  Specifically, their adversaries consist of at least two hundred of the Intelligencia’s hulked-out human soldiers, plus corrupted heroes also now hulked-out.  Even an unexpected new ally may not be enough of a game-changer for the two She-Hulks. 

A poignant epilogue in the far future reveals the legacy of a mother and daughter’s bond.          

Note: This title is also available digitally (an estimated 142 pages).

REVIEW (Beware of Spoilers):

The artwork for a few pages of Savage She-Hulks # 1 appears somewhat shoddy.  Otherwise, this compilation’s mostly appealing visual look hovers between average and above average.  This project’s art teams, in that sense, accomplish what is necessary for a good read. 

As for the overall plotting, it’s a mixed bag.  Writer Fred Van Lente’s scripting of Lyra’s solo adventures is solid, in terms of effectively conveying various plot twists.  Van Lente supplies enough of a mysteriously grim ambiance, so predictability isn’t a problem throughout Lyra’s quest. 

Preposterous storytelling in The Savage She-Hulks # 1-3, however, sabotages the welcome return of Jen Walters’ She-Hulk into the monstrous fray.  The sole advantage is that writer Jeff Parker justifies Lyra’s unshakable belief in Jen’s stature as her legendary role model/surrogate aunt.  Yet, sheer overkill relying upon hundreds of counterfeit Hulks, including the overtly sexualized Red She-Hulk, shoves the ‘Fall of the Hulks’ concept down a dubious rabbit hole that Parker’s creativity simply can’t escape from.   

Case in point: Parker’s mythical cop-out finish (i.e. the She-Hulk trio’s last stand against seemingly hundreds of male Hulks) is unintentionally eye-rolling.  One should logically infer the vastly outnumbered three She-Hulks will defiantly/inevitably fall in battle.  Without revealing the epic showdown’s outcome, Parker opts to abandon this plot thread in favor of a wistful far future epilogue.  The epilogue’s content is good, but it just glaringly fails the present-day characters.          

Fall of the Hulks: The Savage She-Hulks delivers a solid page count with likable rather than impressive visuals.  The uneven and frankly insufficient plotting, however, makes this book more of a practical library find rather than a purchase. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Each full-page cover precedes its Lyra (the ‘All-New Savage She-Hulk’) back-up tale from Incredible Hulk # 600 – 605.  The cover artists are: Alex Ross (Issue # 600) and Ariel Olivetti (Issues # 601-605).  Each full-page J. Scott Campbell & Peter Steigerwald cover appears before its issue for Savage She-Hulks # 1-3. 

With each in a full page-format, the variant covers consist of:

• artist Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic (Issue # 1 – Women of Marvel: Lyra);
• artist J. Scott Campbell (Issue # 3 – Heroic Age: Jen Walters’ She Hulk).

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        5 Stars

Written by Jonathan Hickman & Nick Spencer.

Art by Mike Deodato; Stefano Caselli; Marco Rudy; Marco Checchetto; Frank Martin; Edgar Delgado; VC’s Cory Petit; & Clayton Cowles.

Cover Art by Leinil Francis Yu & Sunny Gho.

SUMMARY:

Released by Marvel Comics in 2013, this 136-page hardcover compiles that same year’s Avengers # 12-17.  A single page summarizes Ex Nihilo’s recent Savage Land creation of black-and-white Bengal-like humanoid children.  Under Hyperion’s initiative, the Avengers attempt to provide these children a makeshift education in humanity. Among them, Spider-Man openly expresses his skepticism about the team’s role as teachers.

Avengers’ Current Roster: Captain America; Thor; Iron Man; Spider-Man; Hawkeye; Spider-Woman; Bruce Banner/Hulk; Wolverine; Captain Marvel; Smasher; Black Widow; Falcon; Sunspot; Cannonball; Shang-Chi; Manifold; Captain Universe; and Hyperion.

In the Savage Land, Thor and Hyperion contemplate the necessity yet slow progress assimilating the unnamed children to life on Earth.  A diversion involving a Savage Land creature’s attack sets up The High Evolutionary’s abduction of the children.  While he commences his accelerated experimentation project, the Avengers split into search-and-rescue teams.  An infuriated Hyperion finds the Evolutionary first before confirming no permanent harm has been done to the young captives. 

Beginning with the ‘Origin Bomb’ impact site in Chhatarpur, India, an army of mysterious beings emerge to initiate a cosmic cataclysm on Earth.  Similarly, another impact site in Perth, Australia, provides further evidence that Marvel’s multiverse is fracturing.  Dr. Bruce Banner feels the intense pressure of trying to gauge potential solutions, as Earth is beginning to run out of time.  In South Korea, Black Widow, Thor, Hyperion, and Hawkeye witness a nuclear reactor’s imminent meltdown before Captain Universe intervenes. 

In Perth, a reinforced Avengers response team (Captain America; Shang-Chi; Sunspot; Spider-Man; Wolverine; Manifold; Cannonball; Hyperion; Thor; Black Widow; Hawkeye) launch a counter-attack against the cosmic beings.  Meanwhile, A.I.M. Island inadvertently unleashes an unknown construct (reminiscent of the animated Justice League Unlimited’s Amazo), which heads to Perth.  A flashback from weeks before reveals Nightmask’s contact with an exiled Starbrand inside his dome orbiting the sun.    

The exhausted Avengers are no match for their new adversary’s firepower.  Rendered unconscious, the defenseless Avengers’ D.N.A. is sampled by an A.I.M. science team.  A.I.M.’s Superia manages to convince the construct to return to the organization’s custody. 

Pushing his assigned SHIELD staff to their limits, a stressed Banner’s subsequent Hulk-out rattles the SHIELD’s orbital station.  Commander Abigail Brand’s deep-space S.W.O.R.D. detail intercepts a Skrull incursion to access Earth.  Captain Universe convinces Manifold that, for the upcoming crisis, the Avengers must expand their ranks. 

Fulfilling Captain Universe’s suggestion, Captain America, Manifold, and Captain Marvel recruit two of the most unlikely candidates to bolster the team’s cosmic presence.            

Note: This ‘T+’ (ages 16 & up) title’s formats also include digitally and trade paperback.

REVIEW:

This particular Avengers storyline has two worthwhile components: stellar artwork and, of course, the team’s considerable star power.  Slick visuals aside, however, far too much of Jonathan Hickman and Nick Spencer’s plotting this time frankly becomes a bore to read. 

That isn’t to say that this title’s fanbase won’t enjoy portions of Volume 3, as it’s only one salvo in a high-profile Avengers epic for that time.  Unlike Avengers World, Volume 1: A.I.M.pire, for instance, this volume is relatively self-contained and doesn’t leave readers dangling on a ‘to be continued’ hook.  The flip side is that A.I.M.pire, despite its fractured tone (i.e. five ongoing subplots), its equally well-illustrated content proves more readily entertaining than Prelude to Infinity.      

In that regard, whatever the Prelude to Infinity is meant to convey doesn’t supply a must-read.  Contemplating Avengers, Volume 3: Prelude to Infinity as a library option instead makes the most practical sense.    

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Each full-page cover precedes its story.  The primary cover artists are Dustin Weaver & Justin Ponsor for Issue # 12; and then Leinil Francis Yu & Sunny Gho for Issues # 13-17. 

For the double-page Avengers 50^th anniversary variant cover (spread across Issues # 12, 14, and 16), artist Daniel Acuña devised its interconnected image.  Appearing in ¼-size, the black-and-white sketch versions of covers from Issues # 12-15 adorn the last page.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     5½ Stars

“Short Term Fixes” Written by Nick Spencer.

Art by Rags Morales; David Curiel; & VC’s Chris Eliopoulos.

Avengers World # 1-5 Written by Jonathan Hickman & Nick Spencer.

Art by Stefano Caselli; Frank Martin; Antonio Fabela; Edgar Delgado; Andres Mossa; VC’s Joe Caramagna; & Chris Eliopoulos.

Collection Cover Art by John Cassady & Laura Martin.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2014 by Marvel Comics, this 120-page trade paperback compiles All-New Marvel NOW! Point One followed by Avengers World # 1-5 – all from that same year. 

Captain America warily negotiates with SHIELD’s Director, Maria Hill, on new parameters of joint cooperation between the Avengers and SHIELD.  Meanwhile, under Bruce Banner’s remote supervision, Cannonball and Sunspot attempt to infiltrate A.I.M. Island to retrieve illicit vials of an experimental short-term Hulk formula to keep A.I.M. from selling them and producing even more for black market clients.  Predictably, the duo’s mission doesn’t come off as easy as they envisioned.     

Avengers’ Current Roster: Captain America; Thor; Hyperion; Bruce Banner/Hulk; Wolverine; Spider-Woman; Black Widow; Falcon; Smasher; Hawkeye; Nightmask; Captain Marvel; Cannonball; Sunspot; Iron Man; Manifold; Captain Universe; Shang-Chi; & Starbrand.  

Under Captain America, Maria Hill, and Bruce Banner’s remote supervision, Avenger field units are sent to four locales experiencing bizarre crises.  Still, are all four simultaneous incidents somehow interconnected?    

• With catastrophic and seemingly unnatural weather events impacting the U.S. East Coast, powerhouses Thor, Captain Marvel, and Hyperion are sent to investigate. 

• A mass riot erupts on the remote island of Madripoor.  An outmatched Black Widow, Falcon, Wolverine, and Shang-Chi find out that The Hand’s Gorgon is unleashing the island’s mystical giant sea dragon.  Separated from his teammates, Shang-Chi faces a losing one-on-one battle against Gorgon. 

• With A.I.M. Island vastly expanding due to unknown advanced technology, Smasher, Cannonball, and Sunspot go in to find answers.  With her injured teammates captured, an inexperienced Smasher finds out that she has become prey for Jude the Entropic Man. 

• In Velletai, Italy, the town’s residents and an European investigative team ominously vanish from sight.  Exploring its dreaded underground ‘City of The Dead,’ Spider-Woman, Hawkeye, Nightmask, and especially young Starbrand encounter vengeful ghosts that have no intention of letting them escape.  Sebastian Druid is brought aboard as Captain America’s mystical consultant, as Druid quickly explains the team’s Italian mission is in deep jeopardy.
• Iron Man unsuccessfully tries to recruit Manifold’s teleportation help against A.I.M. A subsequent extradimensional journey with Captain Universe, however, may change his mind. 
• While Dr. Banner works on a means of penetrating A.I.M. Island’s force field, A.I.M.’s elite leadership (Superia; Jude the Entropic Man; Graviton; and their current Scientist Supreme) feel ready for an imminent showdown with the Avengers.

Note: This title is also available digitally.

REVIEW:

The art team’s consistently high-caliber visuals deliver A.I.M.pire’s best asset.  As for Jonathan Hickman & Nick Spencer’s storytelling, what one gets is an entertaining and relatively good read.  The problem with their storyline is that readers are being offered some intriguing bait in multiple locales, as opposed to enjoying a complete arc. Hence, Marvel’s ‘stay tuned’ approach becomes a take-it-or-leave-it proposition. 

One could deduce from Volume 1’s inside back cover which other Avengers-related volumes are likely needed to finish this particular storyline.  For casual fans, otherwise, finding Avengers World, Volume 1: A.I.M.pire at the library makes the most practical sense.       

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Each primary Avengers World cover precedes its story.  The cover artists are: John Cassady & Laura Martin (Issue # 1); Jung-Geun Yoon (Issue # 2); Rags Morales & David Curiel (Issue # 3); Mike Deodato & Paul Mounts (Issue # 4); and In-Hyuk Lee (Issue # 5).   

Reduced to 1/3-size or ¼-size per page, there is a three-page cover gallery.  For the primary All-New Marvel Now! Point One # 1 cover, the artists are Salvador Larroca & Laura Martin.  Its variant artists are Steve McNiven & Justin Ponsor.  For the double-page Avengers World # 1 wraparound variant cover, the artists are Arthur Adams & Jason Keith. 

Additional Issue # 1 variant artists are: 1. Milo Manara; 2. Chris Samnee & Matthew Wilson; 3. Skottie Young; and 4. Carlo Barberi & Edgar Delgado.  Additional variant artists include Simone Bianchi (Issue # 2); Agustin Alessio (Issue # 3) and Ron Garney & Jason Keith (Issue # 5).

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       6 Stars

Written by Rainbow Rowell.

Art by Andrés Genolet; IG Guara; Dee Cunniffe; & VC’s Joe Caramagna.

Collection Cover Art by Jen Bartel.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2024 by Marvel Comics, this 128-page trade paperback collects the same year’s She-Hulk # 1-5. 

Beginning the five-part “Jen-Sational,” Jennifer “Jen” Walters’ romance with Jack “Jack of Hearts” Hart continues, as the first issue depicts essentially a weary ‘day in the life.’  Jen’s workday includes two new clients: Deviant roommates Karkas and Ransak The Reject, who are seeking her legal assistance to avoid eviction.  Including Ben “The Thing” Grimm, Marsha “Volcana” Rosenberg, Mary “Titania” MacPherran, and her husband: ‘Crusher’ Carl Creel – The Absorbing Man, the casual afternoon session of ‘Punch Club’ goes awry when Absorbing Man challenges Jack. 

Needing to decompress, Jen is startled by the arrival of a primitive Hulk, who insists that ‘Banner’ is no longer with him.  While Jen tries to deescalate her ornery cousin’s tantrum, the uninvited presence of April & Mark Booth worsens it.  Now calling herself ‘Anathema,’ April’s belligerent female Hulk attacks the original Hulk before bulldozing him into an empty apartment building.  Realizing that he is stealing a DNA sample from an unconscious Hulk, an outraged Jen confronts April’s husband.

Stuck with the public blame of her Brooklyn neighborhood’s Hulk-related damage, Jen has a private talk with her cousin.  With Iron Man’s blessing, Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers) talks Patsy “Hellcat” Walker into a girls’ night out with Jen at a bar called ‘The Basement.’  Coming off a rotten day, Jen is finally persuaded to go, but Jack backs out of coming along.  In a barroom brawl, the girls’ battle against demons is interrupted by Patsy’s ex-husband: Daimon Hellstrom, aka Hellstorm. 

Jen, despite some residual doubts, resumes her romance with Jack later that night.  Jack has found a way to make physical contact with Jen without unintentionally siphoning off her gamma energy (and, by extension, her ability to control her She-Hulk impulses).        

Notes: This title is also available digitally.  Despite their appearances on the cover, Jean Grey, Spider-Man, and Wolverine don’t appear in this storyline.

REVIEW:

Even if “Jen-Sational, Parts 1-5,” feels routine, writer Rainbow Rowell’s ability to convey romantic substance sprinkled with humor should be commended.  The only downside is Marvel’s (and/or Rowell’s) propensity for constantly restarting this series’ numbering.  Such a policy conveys Rowell’s character development more as one mini-series after another vs. a genuinely cohesive and ongoing continuity reminiscent of She-Hulk’s 2005/2006-2009 run.     

Rowell’s depiction of Jen Walters, nonetheless, remains exceptionally well-played.  In terms of imbuing She-Hulk with a welcome yet not always gentle feminine touch, Rowell makes her world-weary take on the character very likable.  Other solo She-Hulk writers (i.e. John Byrne, Peter David, Dan Slott, etc.) have portrayed Jen’s world either as action-oriented or as a quirky, tongue-in-cheek (break-the-fourth wall) sitcom.  Rowell’s sympathetic approach, in contrast, makes her She-Hulk come off as a down-to-earth Jen Walters, no matter how ludicrous such a premise sounds. 

Equal to this creative task is a terrific art squad, whose visuals are consistently upbeat and ideal for Rowell’s storytelling.   For fans of Rowell’s classy She-Hulk run, “Jen-Sational” delivers another low-key gem worth seeking out.     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Each full-page Jen Bartel cover precedes its story.  Two bonus tales are also included.  First, at six pages, is “The Favor.”  Jessica Gao is this humorous story’s writer, with the art team consisting of Gavin Guidry and Ruth Remond.  To help out one of her father’s buddies, Jen brings along a college student, Luis, for a field tutorial on super-heroics. 

Between these back-up tales are two full-page pin-ups (possibly unused variant covers).  Including kittens that Jen rescues from underneath a car, the first art team is Emilio Laiso and Erick Arciniega.  The second pin-up has She-Hulk relaxing after a fight (possibly with Dr. Octopus).  This art team consists of IG Guara and Ian Herring.

The other back-up tale is the eight-page “Wyatt Wingfoot: Marvel’s Best Friend.”  In Washington, D.C., Jen accompanies her ex-boyfriend, Wyatt Wingfoot, on a business meeting with the U.S. Government.  Jen and Wyatt subsequently must defuse an Negative Zone invasion, as King Blaastar is making demands to his hostages held within the U.S. Capitol Building.  Wyatt, as Principal Chief of the Keewazi Nation, demonstrates his upfront diplomacy skills.                  

Last is a variant cover gallery where quarter-sized variants are presented four per page.  Variant artists are:

• Issue # 1: 1. Adam Hughes (foil: She-Hulk in swimming pool); 2. Adi Granov (homage); 3. Gisèle Lagacé (Avengers – 60th Anniversary); 4. Leirix (punching fourth-wall mirror); 5. Lucas Wrneck (Stormbreakers – zombie She-Hulk); 6. Rian Gonzales (manga She-Hulk with Jack of Hearts and Hellcat); 7. Mirka Andolfo (New Champions – with Hulk & Thundra’s daughter, Lyra); & 8. Skottie Young (cartoony She-Hulk breaking fourth wall). 
• Issue # 2: 1. Kaare Andrews (She-Hulk with thug & destroyed getaway vehicle); 2. Roy Boney (Heritage: with Wyatt Wingfoot); 3. Russell Dauterman (with She-Hulk, Scarlet Witch, Hellcat, Wasp, & Invisible Woman); & 4. Todd Nauck & Rachelle Rosenberg (a post-shower She-Hulk peeved at a peeping tom/paparazzi).
• Issue # 3: 1. Annie Wu (She-Hulk catches up some reading while holding up bank thieves’ getaway car); 2. Ariel Diaz (She-Hulk ripping through purple wall); & 3. Michael Cho (a teleporting She-Hulk with artwork reminiscent of Batman: The Brave and The Bold animated TV series);
• Issue # 4: Brian Hitch & Alex Sinclair (She-Hulk hands out business cards to a defeated Sinister Six, Batroc the Leaper, among others, as a bewildered Spider-Man looks on from a distance).
• Issue # 5: 1. Matteo Lolli & Rosenberg (Marvel ’97 homage); 2. Jean-Francois Beaulieu (She-Hulk’s gym workout) ; and 3. Greg Hilderbrandt & Tim Hilderbrandt (Marvel Masterpieces homage – She-Hulk’s beach workout).

Though clearly padding, this surplus of extra covers lifts Volume 4: Jen-Sational to a worthwhile page count.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                8 Stars

Written by Jed McKay.

Art by Vincenzo Carratù; Michael Dowling (back-tup story only); Brian Reber; & VC’s Ariana Maher.

Collection Cover Art by J. Scott Campbell.

SUMMARY:

Released by Marvel Comics in 2023, this 128-page trade paperback compiles 2022’s Mary Jane & Black Cat: Dark Web # 1-5 mini-series.  Per the brief introductions, New York City is presently besieged by the now-demonic Ben Reilly’s Chasm and Madeline Pryor’s Goblin Queen of Limbo – though neither character appears in this particular mini-series. 

Pursued by pesky demons, Felicia Hardy’s Black Cat reluctantly seeks Mary Jane Watson’s help, despite the presence of her husband and two young children.  Mary Jane’s chaotic ‘slot machine’ powers are further hampered by the unpredictability caused by Felicia’s proximity.  Yet, both of them are then magically transported to Limbo by the demonic Belasco. 

In literally a devil’s bargain, their sole hope of returning home is retrieving Belasco’s stolen Soulsword from the diabolical Screaming Tower.  As one could expect, this Tower is protected by innumerable death traps within.  Aware they aren’t getting the full story, Felicia & Mary Jane also face considerable competition (including a HYDRA extraction squad) for the same prize. 

Among them is the demonic S’ym, who openly admits that he will double-cross them at the slightest opportunity to gain the Soulsword for himself.  Feeling they have little choice, Mary Jane & Felicia tentatively team up with a talkative S’ym to dodge the Screaming Tower’s defenses. 

The question becomes: who double-crosses whom first?  Embarrassed by how ineffective her magical powers have become, Mary Jane realizes that only a potential enemy in close proximity could be the cause.  Hence, Black Cat’s omission that she is romantically entangled with Peter Parker again (despite her prior promise not to) may be the decisive final breach of her mutual trust with Mary Jane. 

More so, with hordes of demons waiting outside the Screaming Tower, only the unlucky victor gets the dubious prize of facing Belasco again.  It’s up to Mary & Felicia to conjure a spectacular exit strategy, if they have any last chance of getting back to Earth intact.

The eight-page Black Cat back-up tale is entitled “The Mask of Doctor Doom.”  During a poker game, Felicia Hardy tries enthralling her fellow players (among them: Mary Jane Watson; Ben “The Thing” Grimm; and Alpha Flight’s Puck) with how she swiped Doctor Doom’s mask out of Latveria.  Her escape plan includes use of Doom’s time portal through multiple stops.  Yet, is Mary Jane’s skepticism justified?           

Note: This title is also available digitally.

REVIEW:

What’s undeniable is the art team’s visuals are consistently excellent, including a slew of top-notch covers.  As for writer Jed McKay’s high-concept team-up caper, it’s really more about lots of eyes rolling vs. merely heads.  McKay, in that regard, conjures up an amusing cocktail mixing Mary Jane & Felicia’s comedic banter with preposterous supernatural action.  Hence, their considerable star power doesn’t necessitate even a Spider-Man cameo to make McKay’s plot work – as long as one doesn’t overthink his outlandish plot twists.

For fans of Black Cat (who conveys a very Selina Kyle-like persona) and/or Mary Jane Watson, Dark Web presents a fun team-up worth checking out.  Clearly, clearly the artwork makes up enough of the difference to compensate for a lack of actual plot substance, i.e. McKay’s excesses in outlandish storytelling.  As for the pendulum of a justified purchase vs. one-and-done reading, it’s a close call, especially given its reasonably good page count. 

If one has money to burn, by all means Dark Web is worthy of consideration. Otherwise, Mary Jane & Black Cat: Dark Web makes for an ideal library find.               

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

A brief intro each for Mary Jane Watson and Felicia Hardy’s Black Cat is included opposite the credits page.  Each full-page cover precedes its story.  The primary cover artists are: J. Scott Campbell (Issues # 1-2); Campbell & Urszula Mos (Issue # 3); Paulo Siqueira & Rachelle Rosenberg (Issue # 4); and Siqueira & Erick Arciniega (Issue # 5).  Extra full-page variant covers by Peach Momoko (Issue # 1); Russell Dauterman (Issue # 4); and Jan Bazaldua & David Curiel (Issue # 5) are also included.      

Introducing the variant gallery in pin-up style is a double-page Black Cat/Black Widow portrait by artists Jan Bazaldua & Brian Reber.  The artists in the seven-page gallery are:

• Issue # 1 – full page (1. Pablo Villalobos & Rosenberg; 2. David Nakayama; 3. Siqueira & Rosenberg; and *4. Adam Hughes – 1/3 size);
• Issue # 2 – 1/3 size (1. Adam Hughes; 2. Chrissie Zullo; and *3. AKA – full page);
• Issue # 3 – 1/3 size: 1. Carlos Gómez & Jesus Aburtov;
• Issue # 4 – 1/3 size: 1. Alex Ross; and 2. Ross (sketch rendition of same cover); and
• Issue # 5 – full page: Erica D’Urso & Romulo Fajardo Jr. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     6½ Stars