Author Archives: Troy Powell

Review: Secret Wars #3

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Secret Wars #3The third installment of Marvel‘s Secret Wars answers some questions, but also  leads to more.  I have been slowing diving into the series despite my initial misgivings.  I can say that my patience is slowly being rewarded.

The multidimensional patchwork Battleworld presents a fascinating landscape. I can’t help but see it as a parallel to our world. A deeper reading of this event will show connections to many of the geopolitical events facing our world today, where issues of sovereignty, conflict containment, illicit trans-border flows, and disease are the norm. I am pleased that Marvel has kept with its tradition of drawing some inspiration from real world occurrences, it really gives credence to the Marvel Universe being “your universe”.

Issue 3 opens with Doom being briefed by Sheriff Strange,  on the various goings on in Battleword and he appears bored with the report.  Doom seems a bit overstretched, perhaps burnt out. Although he has achieved, some manner of Godhood, establishing and perhaps maintaining the current metaphysics of Battleword appears to have drained him. There is an interesting exchange he shares with his Royal Consort Susan Storm, where he confesses his feelings  of being flawed, and lamenting at not being able to heal his scarred face.  I found this very interesting, as it shows a new take on Doom’s character. Doom usurping cosmic variations of power has been a constant trope for the character. Here we see Doom having achieved everything he has always worked towards, namely world domination and he is markedly bored and burdened by it.

Strange continues his role as our defacto tour guide to new world. He reveals to us that there are some remnants of the 616 marvel earth, in this new multidimensional hybrid. He also informs us that it has been 8 years since the final incursion.  The scene where strange stumbles upon the incursion life raft was very reminiscent of the crashed shuttle scene from the Secret Invasion event years ago. The reactions I have to this scene are a bit reminiscent of Secret War as there is small degree of suspension of belief on my part. With so many multidimensional versions of key characters it is really hard to parse who is really who.  I love good exercise in worldbuilding, and the creation of battle is an example of this par excellence. What I find so interesting about this new status quo is that Battleworld stands as both a testament to Doom’s ingenuity/power but also a significant challenge to it. After a quick browse of some of the tie ins, there are two Phoenix avatars, (at my count) multiple mutant kingdoms, at least one with dangerous mutant plague pandemic and an inhuman teleportation/smuggling network.  What happens when these self contains worlds clash will be very interesting…a definite powder keg to be dealt with. Doom has a his work cut out for him and I am very interested in seeing how the venture of Battleworld plays out.

That said, I do have some reservation. Knowing that very soon the giant reset button will be pushed on this event leading to a new status quo has led to some suspension of investment on my part.  Marvel’s storytelling cycle is clearly evolving. Secret Wars has been likened to a “soft reboot” or Marvel’s “New 52” this is a fair comparison. Marvel’s rich and clear continuity has always been (at least for me) a defining hallmark and strength of the company’s stories. Marvel is taking a risk in its dilemma to attract new readers while staying true to their long term loyalists. This has left me hoping Marvel does not throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Esad Ribic‘s exotic landscapes are the perfect complement to the uniqueness of battleworld, I am reminded of his artwork depicting the world from the Uncanny X-Force series, that said my one long standing gripe with his work are his isomorphic facial depictions, they tend to look very uniform.

Final Thoughts

Doom not being able to heal his face makes me question the upper limits of his powers. Has the creation of Battleworld weakened him?

Strange occupies an interesting position between his loyalty to Doom and his salvaged allies., it will be interesting to see how this plays out  in future issues.

Story: John Hickman, Art: Esad Ribic

Story 8 Art 9 Overall 8.5 Recommendation: Buy!

TV Review: Marvel’s Agents of Shield S2E15 One Door Closes (A Second Take)

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Agents_of_SHIELD_logo(There’s a spoiler below. Highlight the text to see what it says if you want it to be revealed – the Management)

Tonight’s episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. continues to explore the encroaching conflict between the two factions of S.H.I.E.L.D.  The exploration of multiple schools of thought within S.H.I.E.L.D. is quite an enticing hook and adds a fresh wrinkle to the conventional S.H.I.E.L.D. vs HYDRA formula. It is a real credit to the writers that they are able to keep the story fresh while keeping it organically tied to the growing cross-media MCU.

Tonight’s story is told, with a series of juxtaposing flashbacks that take place during the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D. occurring  in events of the Winter Soldier (Captain America 2). I thought this was really powerful plot device. It not only solidifies AoS’s legitmacy as a chronicle for both S.H.I.E.L.D. and the MCU, It adds intrigue and anticipation for further developments to come.

Anti-Nick Fury sentiment has been a staple with Marvel’s comic canon, particularly the politics of S.H.I.E.L.D. It is a real pleasure to see this played out on the small screen. Tonight’s episode reaffirms Fury’s larger than life impact in the MCU especially considering how much he affects the landscape when he isn’t even there. If you didn’t respect Fury as much before this episode you will after this one, especially after learning the composition of the toolbox he entrusted to Coulson *spoiler* (Vibranium). A reveal that should have fanboys and girls drooling for a while.

At the heart of this episode is the question of Fury and by extension Coulson’s credibility. The two S.H.I.E.L.D.’s approach the same goal namely world security but go about it through fundamentally different means. Where the currency of Fury’s espionage was the selective wielding and use of secrets,  This new allegedly more democratic shield envisions them as a fatal flaw. To quote Bobbi Morse “Secrets are what brought down S.H.I.E.L.D. the first time” I love this conflict. S.H.I.E.L.D. is essentially torn against itself in a war of transparency versus strategic compartmentalization this feels like the perfect set up for the upcoming Civil War Movie.

The arsenal of Fury’s discretion (or indiscretions) namely alien biology (Kree/Inhumans /Skye) advanced weaponry and hidden knowledge have now become pieces on very complex chessboard. Opportunity costs that all players scramble for in order to contain, control or destroy. It’s a very fascinating time in the MCU.

Agents of Shield started out as the unsure newcomer as it struggled to find its place in an established world. It is self-evident how much the series has grown spreading its wings boldly in a new area and planting new seeds for more developments in the franchise. New intrigues, new players, new questions. I am excited and you should be too.

Overall Score: 10

Final Thoughts  / Speculations

I will never tire of the eternal badassery of Agent Melinda May. I hear that Kill Bill siren whenever she’s about to drop some poor soul.

Seeing Skye enjoy her powers and Gord’s speech about connection and vibration were very beautiful moments

I initially suspected Mack and Bobbi to be working for S.W.O.R.D. (The Sentient World Observation & Response Department)  With all this concern over the misuse and misunderstanding of alien powderkegs perhaps the two factions will come to an amicable agreement and we will see the founding of S.W.O.R.D. and their cooperation as sister agencies. With all of marvel’s cosmic properties inbound (GOTG2, Avengers Infinity War, etc.) this is not entirely outside the realm of possibilities.

If my speculation is correct would someone please.PLEASE cast Rose McGowan and Agent Abigail Brand?

If you haven’t read Whedon’s run of X-Men which introduced the space espionage agency S.W.O.R.D. please do you self a favor and do so immediately.

Review: Outskirts of Vision

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bbbd31fef0052edd5710271a0aef96f5dfbb7a34_1“There’s a place that exists on the outskirts of your visual field, between your peripheral range and that which is unseen…It’s always there and disappears only upon blinking.  You cannot see it, and yet you can approximate what occupies it.”

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to review a graphic novel by Nir Levie called Outskirts of Vision. I was drawn to this title as I have not had much experience with the graphic novel medium. I have always been fascinated by the use of text and picture to tell a story and I was excited to explore that in long form.

Outskirts of Vision is a story embedded within the themes of architecture, urban planning, sustainability, cooperation and competition. The story reads like a love child of the movies Inception, and the Matrix. It also uses elements of metafiction to great effect. SPOILER ALERT (Highlight to see the hidden text) Essentially the story explores a team of architects/ researchers who  use dream recording technology to explore the individual subconscious. This project is carried out in order to uncover insight into building the perfect city. END SPOILER

Reading Outskirts of Vision was like pulling away layers of an onion. It was rich, complex , and very thought provoking. The story was rife with philosophical hooks, addressing planned vs unplanned growth, isolation, conflict and physical space. I could not help but consider pressing urban issues facing the world, such as deviant (unchecked) globalization, waste and anomie.  As I mentioned earlier the story made excellent use of metafiction. The author plays with the fourth wall in order to punctuate the plot. At several points previous panels read in the story,  become an object of the story itself blurring the line between participant and observer of the plot itself (for the reader). It was very surreal and very poignant considering how timely and pertinent the subject matter of the story is.

The art of Outskirts was very quirky and unlike anything I have enjoyed before. The author’s creative and versatile use of such a simple pallet (whites, blacks greys and red) was very impressive especially over 200+ pages. If you’re looking for something unexpected and stimulating look no further. In a world where space is increasingly more important yet so limited, seeing what it means to be human in the context and mediation of that is a very reflective opportunity.

Memorable quotes

“Our design is too dense and binding”

“Alright, so what? What are we so afraid of?  That’s the beautiful thing about cities.  Cities are alive. They evolve. They take on a life of their own…strict planning inhibits that.”

Story: Nir Levie: Art: Nir Levie
Story: 9 Art:8 Overall 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Nir Levie provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: X-Force #11

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X-Force 11I must be honest, I really struggled to follow and enjoy this title. Writer Simon Spurrier shares with John Hickman a very broad vision, and long form story telling. Spurrier’s variety of this  takes the form of subversive tales that force us to critically assess the superheroic status-quo. Spurrier flexes this artistic muscle with finesse on his current X-Force run. Admittedly this won’t be a book for everyone, Spurrier’s writing rewards patience, and sometimes re-reading. It took me 3 retries to really “get” his take on the classic franchise X-Force which has always been a subversive and unorthodox offshoot of the x-men so this pairing fits perfectly. If you stick with it long enough you’ll stumble upon one or more “connecting” issues that really binds all of his previous plot points and character developments together beautifully. X-Force #11 was one of these issues.

The book begins, with the inner narrative of Hope Summers who  is now living as a tele-present digital life form. Hope or “Meme” as she is now called, reflects upon the broken nature of her teammates. To recap: Marrow is recovering fro m the revelation of losing her child voluntarily to artificially restore her mutant powers. Cable has been cloning himself and sustaining his consciousness through progressively spotty memory uploads. Fantomex is suffering a flaw in his programming that is making him more and more sociopathic. And Psylocke is addicted to killing.

The team have been working for a while as of this issue, covertly and unilaterally eliminating threats to mutant kind, or the mutant “nation” as Cable understands it. This has been a seemingly apolitical rendition of the outfit, operating outside the sanction of any mutant faction. The team’s missions have been taking an increasing toll on the members. Each of the members broken personalities have been chaffing under the yolk of their successive  mission tasks. Things come to a head in this issue, when Fantomex’s programming paradox (superiority complex) makes him snap and he attempt to murder the team to satisfy his impulse.

What I loved about this issue is that it highlights the brilliance of Cable’s foresight.  This my be symptomatic of his precognitive flashes…a new wrinkle in his power set. Despite the chaotic happenstance (and brokeness) of his team, this incarnation of X-Force is a resilient roster well suited to the mission landscape Cable has set them upon. I love the fact the team serendipitously stumbled upon a mission that Cable had forgotten. A critical mission involving mass mutant surveillance. Cable’s wisdom in initially sending Domino on this mission is reinforced when they are reunited and her luck manipulating abilities is the deus ex machina that saves the team from Fantomex.

The themes of power, information, surveillance, and tribal warfare are delicious hooks for anyone that’s a geopolitical nerd like myself. The mutant question has taken on a new form with newer implications given the recent events of the Marvel U. Ironically these far-reaching themes are explored with a team operating in the dark. Spurrier continues to weave his magic, it may have taken some time to take effect but it got me. If by any chance you’ve given up on this title at some point like I have, I urge you to give it a second or third try. It may read better as part of a collection,  but honestly this X-Force title is a dark horse worth watching. One my favorite stand out moments was one where Cable was contemplating the utility of the mass surveillance installation the team infiltrated…and Hope/Meme interjected trying to remind Cable of who he was, lest he become the enemy.

Rock-He Kim’s Art took some getting used to, but I’m really loving it more and more. His interpretation of Fantomex’s mental digital landscape and hope’s avatar were simply breathtaking and really shows his diversity  as an artist. The art combined with the colours give many of the panels a real polished look a bit reminiscent of Adi Granov’s or Gabriele Dell’otto’s art, really refreshing work here.

Story: Simon Spurrier Art: Rock-He Kim
Story: 10 Art: 9 Overall 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Avengers & X-Men Axis #3

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Axis 3“Are we back here again?” – Scott Summers

déjà vu…the watch word for AXIS #3.

Issue# 3 of AXIS closes out the first arc of the event, bringing the story to an interesting break  and mini conclusion. The first thing that popped out at me about this issue  is the presence of so many connecting threads that go back to pivotal stories in the Marvel U. This comes with a caveat I will explain shortly. Although this has been a  consistent element since the first issue it’s much more prominent in this one. I’m really starting to see that thematically AXIS is not just a story about heroes and villains, it’s also a hub for a great deal of Marvel’s past stories.

Dedicated and eagle eyed readers will catch plot call backs from Doom and Wanda’s confrontation (Avengers: The Children’s Crusade)  as well as Genesis and Deadpool’s reunion (Uncanny X-Force Vol. 2)  as I’ve mentioned before I’m a sucker for continuity, so seeing these elements is not only enjoyable it reflects the author’s attention to detail and care for the characters. That said I do have some reservations. A lot of the plotting and story structure seems rehashed irrespective of this.  The greatest sin that AXIS #3 commits is reinventing the wheel so to speak (pun intended)

Given what Wanda has went through with Dr. Doom, (House of M /The Children’s Crusade) I find it highly suspect that she would risk performing Magic with him ever again. Additionally if a spell from Wanda going awry becomes the an enduring trope once more, I’ll have to let out a justified groan. The poor girl needs a break she’s earned it. The past keeps coming back  story structure wise, I can’t help but feel a sense of ennui. Like Scott said, we are back to familiar territory. The use of villains to save the day was very  much reminiscent of  the superhuman civil war. And the renewed conflict between the Avengers and X-men was very AVX.  That said I don’t want to throw the baby out with bathwater. There are some interesting developments worthy of mention. Evan Sabah Nur’s  inversion is definitely a new wrinkle in his story and builds upon years of foreshadowing. And Havok’s resignation as co-leader of the Avengers Unity Squad was huge.

In an earlier review I questioned Captains America’s choice of Havok as the leader of the team. This seemed to make him the “Uncle Tom” of Mutants in some respect. It appears he has come to his own similar conclusions in this issue and asserts himself in a manner we rarely see from him. The X-Men  in general appear to be headed in a new direction and I’m excited to see what follows next. Witnessing Evan usher in the genesis (apocalypse?) for this new X-era was particularly poignant and foreboding.

Overall the issue was good…good but familiar. I’m excited to see the new landscape that AXIS will carve but right now the story telling feels a bit formulaic. The art was very reflective of the story, and depicted the chaotic nature of the battle quite well.

Story: Rick Remender Art: Leinil Francis Yu
Story: 6 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

Review: Avengers & X-Men AXIS # 1

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Avengers_&_X-Men_AXIS_1_CoverHere we are the opening salvo of Marvel‘s next mega event! Avengers & X-Men: AXIS follows in a long of established  Marvel crossovers and I think it is fair to say it has some big shoes too fill. That said, we have a long history of events, handled well and others not so much. While it’s too early to judge AXIS in its entirety, the massive cast on the intro page gives me some trepidation. I am hoping Remender does not repeat the mistakes of AvX (continuity flubs….drawn out pacing, cast inflation.)

I have to say the beginning issue begins bombastically. This issue starts off very loudly and in tone it almost felt like was  the climax of an event. This is a very novel feeling for me event wise. Another novelty is the sense that I’ve been away for quite some time. A nice thing about Marvel’s mega events is that they serve as milestones by which you can map the Marvel Universe’s rich continuity. The end of such events usually heralds some momentous change that moves the continuity landscape further on. This time around there are so many changes at the beginning!

It will take the most eagle eyed and diligent readers to grasp the full change in the status quo. But more casual readers may be left scratching their heads as to why Thor is now sporting an axe, why Falcon is now has the mantle of Captain America and why Steve Rogers is an old man.  Though I knew of some of these changes they were mostly by approximate/passing knowledge.  Later on in the book some more prisoners of the Genoshan concentration camp are revealed. Although I have been watching most x-books closely, I’m certain I haven’t witnessed this elsewhere.  Perhaps this represents a new wrinkle in event storytelling , we might even say Marvel has inverted the axis of their convention (see what I did there? Ok I’m sorry that was bad).

The precipitating trigger for AXIS is the emergence of the Red Onslaught, a psychic amalgamation of the Red Skull’s and Charles Xavier’s Psychic energies. I must say I love the insidious nature of the Red Onslaught. Although I do feel Onslaught as a plot and villain element is overdue for retirement, I can’t help but admire villains who can disarm their foes with just words and truth, dredging up their inner demons and using that as a weapon. Despite the many skeletons in Xavier’s closet, we’re seeing once more the full extent of how dangerous his powers could be thanks to Johan Schmidt’s malice. This issue made me respect Xavier’s restraint (all sins considered) in light of this. The panel showing Xavier as a sole beacon of light in the tide of the Red Skull’s hate was a nice touch and sums of his character and mission perfectly.

I had some minor issue with some of the characterization in AXIS #1. I know that the two factions of X-Men recently had some degree of reconciliation in the last will and testament of Charles Xavier arc. Nevertheless parts of their reunion in this issue felt very happy go lucky and over the top. Additionally I had to roll my eye after Beast’s “Let’s crack some skull” battle cry. I’m sorry but that’s something I’d expect Ben Grimm to say , not Hank McCoy.

The issue concludes with an interesting plot twist, that goes back to Civil War. This is one that I really loved because it involves sentinel technology and Tony Stark. I have long since speculated a connection between the Stark and Trask families as their names are anagrams. (Perhaps they’re the same family?).  We saw Stark Nimrods foreshadowed at the end of the first Uncanny Avengers arc, so this really cemented this speculation of mine. Also lets not forget that Stark, created the O.N.E. Sentinels that patrolled the Xavier Institute post decimation. The plot twist involving Stark really delved into his psychology showing how the Red Skull exploited his avarice and competitiveness. This really shed light on Tony as a character. I recall despising most if not all of Tony’s actions during the civil war. This issue explores that central thread of Tony’s character which spans the entire spectrum from heroism to villainy. Those paying attention to previews and solicits know that  during some “inversion” incident in this event Stark will change significantly. In light of this I thought the reveal was a brilliant reminder and foreshadow. As the theme of heroism and villainy is poised to be explored, it’s nice to see that the event will serve as a spiritual successor to the Civil War, which handled the same themes but in a more legal sense.

The art was beautiful, I’ve slowly grown to appreciate Kubert’s art, although at times his faces and limbs look really stretched, that’s a minor complaint  on my part. The colors were very vivid and overall the epic nature of the battle and the dour ambiance of Genosha was captured very well.

Story: Rick Remender Art: Adam Kubert
Story: 8 Art: 9.5 Overall 9 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Uncanny X-Men #26

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Uncanny X-Men 26Uncanny X-Men #26 follows up on the fallout regarding the last will and testament of Professor Charles Xavier.  In the last issue we learned that Professor Xavier secretly hid a prodigiously powerful mutant away from the world and his X-Men.  Xavier has left instructions for the X-Men to delicately deal with this mutant as his power levels are extreme enough to threaten human-mutant relations.  In the aftermath of Charles death, the X-Men are now left to deal with this volatile issue.  The trope of Xavier’s dark secrets coming back to haunt the X-Men has been staple of the franchise since the decimation. Where in my opinion it’s becoming a bit overused, it’s definitely a plausible state of affairs because lets face it, this is Charles Xavier we’re talking about. Given his telepathic reach, Xavier has always occupied a unique moral space, having to make nearly god like decisions for the benefit of human and mutant kind.

This issue made me think a lot about the problem of mutant “externalities”  a persistent problem for the X-Men as well as mutant kind.  Despite being the de-facto advocates for mutant kind, it’s an interesting and important fact to recognize that X-Men do not and cannot control all mutants. This was was revealed recently that a rogue mutant (dark beast) was responsible for SHIELD’s rogue sentinels.  SHIELD  by necessity has to be prepared for these externalities. With this in mind it’s very telling how  Scott summer’s  current view of the world is. During the dark reign, mutantkind was endangered and Norman Osborn’s  corrupt regime ruled the day.  Neither is the case now and yet Scott Summer’s is marching mutants new and old down the path of his enigmatic revolution.

This brings us to Triage. The neophyte mutant healer has a moment to shine in this issue questioning the rationale and justification for Scott’s so called revolution. I thought this was the nice stand out moment for his character , as he in  way appears to be speaking to and for the audience. Ever since issue one of this volume I’ve questioned why Scott sees the need for a mutant revolution. Those questions have become more pronounced after SHIELD was shown to not be complicit in the rogue sentinel attacks. The fact that SHIELD has employed mutant liaisons (Exodus in this issue) and the Avengers  have dedicated a squad to mutant human unity should quell most perceptions of a widespread conspiracy against mutants, and yet Scott summers is still leading his faction down a warpath. Triage’s questions are timely and strike to the heart of Scott’s obscure intentions.

A major gripe of mine for this issue was the classification of of Matthew Malloy as “Beyond Omega” Admittedly I am a bit of a purist when it comes to all matters of continuity. To my knowledge the designation of an “Omega” mutant meant simply a mutant with unlimited potential, whether realized or not.  Ed Brubaker made this error earlier classifying the mutant Gabriel Summers “Vulcan” as Beyond Omega.  I recall Ed Brubaker eventually admitting this mistake.  With respect to power levels omega  simply denotes a nominal category not a quantification of power.  I really wish Bendis would pay attention to such details.

The pacing of the current arc is a minor gripe of mine,  i feel as though I’m being cajoled to read on, pending further reveals from Xavier’s will. Two issue’s in with more questions asked where the will is concerned seems a bit unfair to me. Maybe I’m impatient.

I was a bit iffy on Kris Anka‘s art but it’s slowly winning me over. There’s almost a Bachalo-esque vibe to it, quirky and enjoyable.

Story: Brian Michael Bendis Art: Kris Anka
Story: 6.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Review: Uncanny Avengers #24

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Uncanny_Avengers_Vol_1_24_TextlessUncanny Avengers #24  follows the aftermath of the Avengers Unity Squad’s , time spanning showdown with the classic villain Kang. Issue 24 is labelled with the imprint “March to Axis” and continues  to un-package some of the team’s fall out preceding  Marvel’s next mega event Avengers & X-Men: Axis. We learn in the previous issue that Kang left the mutant concentration camp Director Ahab in the past as a contingency/revenge plan in the event of his failure.  I’ve always loved villains who plan for their own failure. There’s a certain dread  with enemies of this sort who win regardless in a way whether they triumph or not. This is a trope Kieron Gillen used to great effect with Mr Sinister, during his run on Uncanny X-Men. It is nice to see that dynamic here, woven seamlessly into the plot this way.

Since the beginning of the series I always found the choice of Havok as the leader of the team interesting. I questioned the subconscious reasons for Captain America choosing someone who resembles him so closely, (Blond hair, blue eyed, male)  someone “pretty” to borrow Wolverine’s terminology. As the chosen “face” of human mutant unity I found the choice of Havok’s leadership very telling. Havok’s recent disfigurement is explored in this issue as he admits this is new territory for him, dealing to reactions from the general public. I thought this was an interesting place for Havok’s character, given the fact that he’s been one of the fortunate mutants that could pass for human. His place as an outsider is a bit more pronounced now and should lead to some interesting character development in the future

The theme of mutant human unity is further addressed in this issue. Wolverine has a nice moment with the Scarlet Witch and Rogue, lamenting on his past actions, and how many of those lead to the crises the team eventually had to deal with. Given the last story arc, the team now knows the full cost of their mistrust, and unilateral choices. It will be interesting to see how this knowledge will be tested in the next event.

It is interesting that the safety of Katie summers’ (Havok and Wasp’s daughter) in the last arc was a driving factor for the team undoing Kang’s machinations. In this issue a psychic echo of Charles Xavier, informs Rogue that Wonder Man’s abilities (recently absorbed into her) could be a key element in the Red Skull’s downfall. If the benefit and metaphor of unity expressed through Rogue’s containment of Simon’s energies and the child of a mutant and a human  is intentional, then writer Rick Remender is quite the savvy writer.

The the mutant members team seemed to be taken down very easily by the Red Skull’s S-Men, which is the first of my minor gripes with this issue. The reason for this could be Remender’s attempt to convey how much division in the team is a weakness. Each defeat/kidnapping happened when a team member was alone/ Whatever the intent it came off feeling a bit shoe horned for the next event.

I am quite hit or miss when it come to Salvador Larocca‘s art, mainly for the reason that a lot of his female characters seem so cookie cutter. That’s just another minor gripe though.                                                           

   Story: Rick Remender  Art: Salvador Larroca  
Story: 7.0 Art: 6.0 Overall: 7.4 Recommendation: Read

Review: Inhuman # 3

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inhuman 3 coverI must admit, I have a soft spot for Marvel‘s minority communities. I think they serve as an interesting metaphor for real world minority issues, and both their stories and complex histories offer an interesting juxtaposition between the real and fictional where oppression and integration is concerned. The new Inhumans volume puts that community in center stage following the ground breaking aftermath of the recent Infinity mega event.

Inhuman #3 follows the current  exploits of earth’s inhuman population, which has grown considerably following Black Bolt’s decision to release Terrigen into the global atmosphere. The lynchpin of this current volume, the revelation of the existence of multiple Inhuman tribes  (previously hidden among earths human population) offers a fresh and interesting status-quo for the Inhuman community, one that was previously monolithic , scarce, and reclusive.

This new tribal nuance to the inhuman state of affairs has already begun to reflect multiple and completing ideologies. Lash of Orollan appears to take a merit based view towards terrigenesis, holding to the view that only those who are “worthy” should be allowed to enjoy the benefits of terrigenesis. On the other hand, New Attilan currently ruled by Queen Medusa, holds to a more egalitarian ethos, where the free dispensing of terrigenesis has been a staple of their culture for centuries.

This is an interesting point to ponder, as it seems that the affordances of culture are directly tied to abundance of  given resources (or the lack thereof). In issue 3 we learn that Orollan only possessed 3 terrigen crystals. We know from past volumes that Attilan has always had an abundance of Terrigen. I have always wondered if Wakanda would have been as xenophobic and isolationist as it is if it didn’t enjoy all the economic and geopolitic clout that its vibranium deposits had blessed it with. We see here how history and circumstance  indelibly marks certain cultures in the Marvel U, Attilan and its emerging sister tribes appear to be no exception

Orrollan and Attilan’s forces come to a violent conflict in this issue,  a conflict  quickly  calmed by revelations of the former King Black Bolt’s overarching plan. This reveal has implications for every Inhuman on the globe and could potentially unite them all as a result.

This has been interesting series so far that as placed the inhumans on a bold new footing. It will be very interesting to see how all the Inhumans resolve their issues and their place amongst each other as well as the greater Marvel U. It will also be interesting to see where the power of balance falls between the various Inhuman tribes. There is a lot of dust to settle that should make for a very engaging series.

Story: Charles Soule Art: Joe Madureira
Story: 8.0 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5  Recommendation: Read

 

 

Final Thoughts

The Infinity event mentioned six locales/tribes where hidden Inhumans reside, it would be interesting to see if more show up later on.

Medusa’s statement to the rest of the world and the new emerging Inhumans was very reminiscent of Cyclops’ during the founding of Utopia in Dark Avengers #8.

The multi-tribal status of the Inhumans is very similar to the post schism state of the X-men

The notion of “Inhuman sovereignty” will be a tricky one to unpackage, given the now global reach of the Inhuman population and the multitude of tribes available for them to identify with.

I just have to say Medusa is so badass….I love her especially when Black Bolt is not in the picture, she really takes to the throne well, and shines.

Memorable Quotes

“Not Everyone with potential deserves it” – Lash (Inhuman #1)

“There are other tribes..You have a choice ” – Lash (Inhuman #1)

“They’re scared & they’re a powerbase, people will try to use that power “- Captain America (Inhuman #2)

“My Enemies all have one thing in common Lash….they fall ” – Medusa  (Inhuman #3)

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy (Warning: Mild Spoilers)

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hr_Guardians_of_the_Galaxy_46Nostalgia, to me that was the recurring theme or watchword as I enjoyed, the latest production from Marvel Studios.

I’ve heard a lot of commenters and critics laud Guardians of the Galaxy as a risk that fortunately paid off for Marvel Studios and their unfurling juggernaut of a cinematic franchise. With each installment the iterative productions pay off with a growing plot tapestry that will no doubt secure summer after summer of epic blockbusters.

I love the space opera genre. As I watched Guardians of the Galaxy, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Star Wars’ Han Solo, or Flash Gordan when seeing Peter Quill aka Star Lord on his adventures. That isn’t to say that GotG is unoriginal or that it reinvents the wheel. It flawlessly showcases the mysteriousness and wonder of space (a first for Marvel) but does so with established archetypes that veteran and noobie viewers alike will easily grasp. We have the sheriff like or S.H.I.E.L.D.-esque nova corps, the despotic tyrant Thanos, and the renegade Star Lord and his band outsiders coming together for a heartfelt and surprisingly funny epic journey.

Repeat viewers to the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be pleased to discover that this installment of the MCU grows the franchise. The new territory of Marvel Space is anchored to growing plot elements involving Thanos and the Infinity Stones, the third of which is introduced in this movie as the primary Macguffin.

Now can we talk about that soundtrack for a moment? I have to be honest it was one of the main elements driving me to watch the movie. I am a die-hard oldies/retro music aficionado. I was pleased  to see that the soundtrack wasn’t just a cheap gimmick for the movie, it served to humanize the protagonist since it was his sole anchor to his home planet Earth, it really made you relate to and empathize with him. Additionally it also served to effectively narrate the film. At one point our heroes survive a rough near fatal predicament, as they rise to continue their mission, Quill’s sound system plays “Ooh Child” by the Five Stairsteps. I thought it was a beautiful moment. I loved how the soundtrack unexpectedly became another character in the film in a way.

I noticed a lot of parallels between the Avengers and the Guardians. In fact I always understood the latter to be the galaxy’s “Mightiest Heroes.” Both teams and their members begin with an uncertain place with respect to the factions and institutions they find themselves between. Both teams eventually come together, transitioning from outsider to hero becoming exactly what is needed (or perhaps unexpected enough) to save the day. It’s no mistake that the threat de jour for each are both firmly connected. (i.e. the Infinity Stones).

My only gripe with the film is a minor one, admittedly I’m a bit of a noobie to most things in the cosmic corner of the Marvel Universe. But I would have appreciated some more “connective tissue” to the rest of the Marvel U. This would have been a perfect opportunity to introduce Abigail Brand / S.W.O.R.D., the Sentient World Observation and Response Department. Earth’s space counterpart to S.H.I.E.L.D.  additionally the post credits scene left a bit to be desired for me personally. Still all parts of this tapestry tell the same story. Those who watched ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., will see a strikingly familiar blue skinned alien race in this film shedding some light on a critical WTF moment from the burgeoning series. This is clear sign that  there is plenty on the horizon for the MCU. I’m all for it, and eagerly awaiting to see what’s next. My slight criticism aside Guardians of the Galaxy paid off tremendously, breathing more life into a vibrant ecosystem of films while also standing firmly on its own legs, that’s not an easy feat. I’m already hooked for any crossovers or stand-alone sequels, a reality not so subtlety hinted in the film with unresolved plot elements and explicit promise in the end credits.

This was a new yet familiar and comforting experience that made me laugh, made me wonder, and made me appreciate being a Marvel fan more and more.

Direction: 10 Acting: 10 Plot: 9 Overall: 9.5

P.S. Do yourself a favour and check out a compiled playlist of Peter Quill’s Awesome Mix Volume 1. You won’t regret it.

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