Tag Archives: all-new marvel now

Preview: The Devil Comes to San Francisco This March in Daredevil #1!

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This March, the Eisner Award winning creative team returns for the next chapter in the saga of Matt Murdock, as the Man Without Fear rushes headlong into All-New Marvel NOW! Marvel has released a first look at Daredevil #1 – from the blockbuster creative team of Mark Waid and Chris Samnee!

Gifted with an imperceptible radar sense, blind lawyer Matt Murdock patrols the streets with a Billy club and a passion for justice. Only this time – it’s a brand new city, with even more dangerous foes. Join Matt Murdock as he journeys from the dark streets of Hell’s Kitchen to the sun-drenched boulevards of San Francisco.

And the scenery isn’t the only new thing in store for Ol’ Hornhead. A world of changes are in store for Matt Murdock as old haunts and familiar faces rise up to give the devil his due. Changes that will turn his life upside down yet again!

DAREDEVIL #1 (JAN140630)
Written by MARK WAID
Art & Cover by CHRIS SAMNEE
75th Anniversary Variant by ALEX ROSS (JAN140633)
75th Anniversary Sketch Variant by ALEX ROSS (JAN140632)
Variant Cover by PAOLO RIVERA (JAN140631)
Animal Variant by CHRIS SAMNEE (JAN140634)
Young Variant by SKOTTIE YOUNG (JAN140635)
FOC –02/24/14 On-Sale -03/19/14

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Review: X-Force #1

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X-Force_1_CoverX-Force #1 introduces a brand new iteration of the team which has gone through many of them over the past few years. Some of those volumes have been fantastic, and some felt like filler, like it was just being released to cash in on the name, without that special something to make it stand out. Unfortunately, this first issue falls in the latter, a bunch of good ideas that don’t quite pan out.

Coming from writer Si Spurrier and artist Rock-He Kim the first issue puts forth the idea that every sovereign nation in the Marvel Universe makes use of superhumans to protect national interests and pursue a covert national agenda. The stakes are high, and the prizes are intelligence, security, resources and power. Now, Cable and his new black-ops squad are entering this endless shadow-game to ensure that Mutants have a hand in the future of the Marvel Universe – by any means necessary! Sounds like a good idea in theory, the execution, not so much.

The team, consisting of Marrow, Psylocke, Fantomex, and Cable is dull, not exciting, and what little interesting writing devices used are beyond irritating. Throughout the issue, there’s constant chatter about music, which at first might seem interesting, but by the end of it all, it comes off like a theme and idea that Spurrier didn’t know what to do with. Fantomex is more Pepé Le Pew than I ever remember him being. Marrow is batshit insane, taking the role Deadpool usually fills and Psylocke and Cable show none of their usual personality. This is X-Force as a force with nothing to make them interesting.

Kim’s art too is bland with characters looking too similar in some traits (their eyes) and strange charcoal like coloring doesn’t help matters either.

We just had two interesting X-Force series, each with a distinct personality. Here, all of that personality has been sucked away, leaving us with a dull version of what once was.

Story: Simon Spurrier Art: Rock-He Kim
Story: 5 Art: 5 Overall: 5 Recommendation: Pass

Preview: Blast Off With A First Look at Captain Marvel #1

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Calling all Carol Corps members! Marvel has released a first look at Captain Marvel #1 as your favorite high flying heroine makes her All-New Marvel NOW! debut – courtesy of fan-favorite scribe Kelly Sue Deconnick and red-hot artist David Lopez!

Earth’s Mightiest Hero with death-defying powers and an attitude to match is back – and nothing is going to be the same for Carol Danvers! New friends, a new home, and even a new love interest are just the start. Carol’s going cosmic – leaving Earth behind and heading into the vast unknown of outer space! And at the edge of the universe, she’ll rediscover the hero she was always destined to be!

As Carol blasts off into deep space she’ll face threats unlike any she’s faced before. But fearsome foes and some of the galaxy’s most dangerous perils won’t know what hit them! Blast off into deep space as the breakout hit of 2012 begins anew when Higher, Further, Faster, More kicks off this March in Captain Marvel #1!            

CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 (JAN140669)
Written by KELLY SUE DECONNICK
Art & Cover by DAVID LOPEZ
Variant Covers by JOHN CASSADAY, LEINIL YU, SKOTTIE YOUNG & DAVID LOPEZ
FOC – 02/17/14 On-Sale -03/12/14

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Review: She-Hulk #1

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She-Hulk_1_CoverLawyer. Avenger. Hero. Friend. Jennifer Walters has been called many things – but to most, she’s known only as the She-Hulk! Savior of the world on more than one occasion, Jennifer Walters is embarking on a brand new, and no less dangerous mission – opening a new law practice!

Since it’s announcement, there’s one series that’s been on top of my list that I’ve been looking forward to reading and this is it. Written by Charles Soule with art by Javier Pulido, the series had high expectations by me and thankfully the series met every single one of them.

Mixed with humor and a little action, the series shares more with recent Marvel hits such as Hawkeye and Daredevil than it does with the other superhero comics they produce. There isn’t tons of punching, it’s there, but this is more about She-Hulk/Jennifer’s day to day life more than anything else.

Soule cracked early on during the lead up to the series that She-Hulk will battle her greatest villain, scheduling, and he wasn’t kidding. In this first issue she juggles her career and the fact she’s a green ass-kicking machine, one doesn’t exactly help with the other and it’s not like she can separate the two. That all mixes up resulting in hilarity and entertainment and one of my favorite new comics of the new year.

That’s in part due to Pulido’s art which has a vibe reminiscent of Mike Allred, the artist in the previous series that featured She-Hulk, FF. The look matches the tone of the series, a great match.

Caseloads and kicking bad guy butt is a complicated business and Soule seems to have that down, mixing in humor on top of it all. You can make all the lawyer jokes you’d like, but it’s hard to not like this jade champion of justice. I highly recommend it.

Story: Charles Soule Art: Javier Pulido
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Preview: A Team Divided – A First Look at Secret Avengers #1!

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This March, run the mission, don’t get seen, save the world. The covert branch of Earth’s Mightiest is back with a new mission, new enemies, and even deadlier threats. Marvel has released a first look at Secret Avengers #1 from the creative team of Ales Kot and Michael Walsh!

The Earth is in danger. And only the world’s most effective secret squad can save it. Too bad that’s NOT the Secret Avengers! Three missions kick off at the same time: one in the air, one on the ground, and one in…space?! And no one is ready for what comes next – except the attackers! Now, Fury, Coulson, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Spider-Woman, Maria Hill, and even the villainous M.O.D.O.K. must work together if they hope to achieve the impossible. But first, they’ll have to survive!

In an interview with Marvel.com Ales Kot said:

A possible strength – and also a possible weak spot – lies in the group’s capacity to work together. Unless they learn how to do that, they will be picked off one by one. Because something is coming for them. And not just from one direction.

Personalities clash as the bullets (and arrows) fly this March when the high-stakes, action-packed espionage comes to All-New Marvel NOW! with a bang in Secret Avengers #1!

SECRET AVENGERS #1 (JAN140679)
Written by ALES KOT
Art by MICHAEL WALSH
Cover by TRADD MOORE
Variant Cover by MIKE DEODATO (JAN140680)
Animal Variant by KATIE COOK (JAN140681)
FOC –02/17/14 On-Sale -03/12/14

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Review: Loki: Agent of Asgard #1

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Loki_Agent_of_Asgard_1_CoverLoki is back and craftier than ever as the All-Mother’s secret weapon against Asgardia’s strangest threats. With his serpent’s tongue, debonair charm, and taste for the uncanny, there’s no assignment Loki won’t take—including the untimely stabbing of Thor! The surprises only start here for the Prince of Lies, as the most conniving corners of the Marvel Universe are blown open.

I was a fan of kid Loki, whose handling over the past few years has been excellent. The writers have treated him as a kid, haunted by his former self. He acted as a trickster kid would. One of the saddest moments of the last year-ish in comics was Loki giving up his younger self and becoming a bit older, but not quite his old self. And with that, the fun kind of ended.

That decision carried over to this first issue that has Loki on a mission to gather something for the All-Mother. There’s some solid stuff as he sneaks and tricks his way through his mission. And there’s one hell of an ending that had me scratching my chin. But something was missing for me. And that’s the fun of kid Loki.

In this issue there’s a crack that Loki now looks like a member of One Direction, and that sum how sums up my reaction to him now. An adult scheming like Loki of past is ominous. A kid Loki scheming is fun and adventurous. This slightly grown up version of Loki feels like someone I just want to punch, a Bieberish douche. The fun just isn’t there for me.

The end of the issue though has me wondering what’s to come. It signals enough for me to stick around. But for me, I want kid Loki, or adult Loki, in-between Loki just doesn’t seem to know what he wants to be yet.

Story: Al Ewing Art: Lee Garbett
Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read

Review: Wolverine #1

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Wolverine_1_CoverBeaten, bloodied, and left for dead by Sabretooth, Logan is out for revenge! And he’s going to get it by any means necessary! But before he can take on Sabretooth again – he’ll have to get better, stronger, and smarter than ever before! But that’s not as easy as he may have thought

And soon he’ll find himself turning to darker, more sinister means of getting what he wants – all in the name of retribution! Even if that means operating on the wrong side of the law to do it!

After Wolverine became killable this first story arc of his latest volume, dubbed “Payback,” promises to redefine the character. Now working for a crime boss called The Offer, Logan must relearn how to fight and survive without his defining characteristic, his healing factor.

The comic, though good, suffers from over  hype, partially to blame due to the press leading up to the comic. I was a bit disappointed. This has nothing to do with writer Paul Cornell‘s fantastic writing ability, or the great art by Ryan Stegman. It’s just in the end, we’ve got Wolverine on the wrong side of the law. I think we’ve seen that before.

The good is, there’s a lot of potential here. Cornell is a writer who can definitely dig down into the “man” and play off his new vulnerability. Stegman’s art is always fantastic. So, while the first issue was a bit of a let down, I think the series as a whole will be pretty good, and one of Wolverine’s better recent runs. I went in expecting the hype, and came away entertained, but not blown away.

But, the comic suffers from over hype. It’s an interesting direction, and the art and writing is solid, but can’t say it’s a “bold new” one.

Story: Paul Cornell Art: Ryan Stegman
Story: 7.5 Art: 8 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Preview: One of These Heroes Will Become a Villain! Your First Look at Avengers Undercover #1!

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This March, ask yourself the question: If you were a teen superhuman and all the adult heroes failed you when you were kidnapped and tortured, would you switch sides and break bad? Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Avengers Undercover #1 from writer Dennis Hopeless and artist Kev Walker!

Damaged, broken, and forever changed by their experiences in Murder World, five conflicted young superhumans are out to prove to the world they can still be heroes. Now, Bloodstone, Hazmat, Deathlocket, Cammi, Anachronism, Chase, and Nico are going rogue and heading deep undercover with the Masters of Evil. And they’re going to take them down from the inside!

But the longer these teens spend undercover, the deeper they descend into darkness. And the line between good and evil blurs. Before it’s all over – a new super villain will be born!

Their time in Murder World prepared them for death. But nothing can prepare them for their new lives among the Masters of Evil. The longer they stay undercover, their path’s become more clear: Join up with the Masters of Evil for real, or be discovered and killed! If you thought Murder World was dangerous, you haven’t seen anything yet – and it all starts this March in Avengers Undercover #1!

AVENGERS UNDERCOVER #1 (JAN140692)
Written by DENNIS HOPELESS
Art by KEV WALKER
Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
Variant Cover by MARK BROOKS (JAN140693)
FOC –02/17/14 On-Sale -03/12/14

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Review: Ms. Marvel #1

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Ms_Marvel_1_CoverOne of the most anticipated comics debuted this week with much coverage in the mainstream news. I had worried that folks who might not normally pick up a comic would read the various stories and decide to give Ms. Marvel #1 a chance and be disappointed. Lets face it, the comic and character within is a blank slate. We don’t know much about Kamala Khan or what we can expect in her adventures. I can say though, the issue blew me away mixing fantastic writing with fantastic art.

When Kamala Khan acquires incredible new abilities from the Inhuman Terrigen Mists, an extraordinary hero is born! But not even superpowers can prepare her for the pressures and pitfalls of being 16-years-old. What we have here is more than just a story about a young superhero, we have so far a well rounded story that mixes powers with a real person.

Khan might take up the moniker of Ms. Marvel, but she’s a teen from Jersey who also happens to live in a Muslim family. She, like any real teen, wants to fit in. This isn’t a story of a superhero as an outsider trying to find their place in society, this is about a teen girl doing that.

That down to Earth storytelling is brought to us by the talented G. Willow Wilson who infuses the first issue with dialogue and interaction that seems real and most likely Wilson has experienced in her life. The only complaint on me is that Wilson uses such realistic names and language that at times I got things mixed up or didn’t know who was being referred to. I’m unfamiliar with Khan’s world… and that’s a good thing!

Wilson is backed up by the talented art of Adrian Alphona. There’s something about the art that just pops for me. I’m not sure what it is, but I really dig it. The line work, coloring, inking, it all is just cool. It fits the youthful attitude of it’s main character.

I expect anyone who checked out this first issue, and this is their first comic, were impressed. This team has put together a fresh character, fresh voice, fresh outlook. This is diversity in characters at its best. You might actually have an heir to the voice that was the beloved Young Avengers. Marvel has given us a character for a new diverse generation of comic readers and fans. Here’s hoping they embrace Kamala, because this issue shows they should give her a chance.

Story: G. Willow Wilson Art: Adrian Alphona
Story: 9.5 Art: 9 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Preview: Moon Knight #1 Brings ‘Weird Crime’ to All-New Marvel NOW!

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This March, illuminate the dark corners of the Marvel Universe with Moon Knight #1 – from writer Warren Ellis and artist Declan Shalvey! Moon Knight #1 will continue the exciting wave of All-New Marvel NOW! series with a fresh and sensational take on Marc Spector and his vigilante alter ego Moon Knight!

In an interview with Marvel.com, Ellis said:

The touchtone for this book, for me, has been ‘Weird Crime.’ Both ground-level action and high strangeness. This is a take on Moon Knight that unifies all the previous takes, making the character whole and taking him forward into a new kind of crime fiction.

As a mercenary turned super hero, Marc Spector has faced down everything from werewolves, super villains to his own fractured psyche. Fearsome foes and gruesome threats permeate the darkest corners of New York City. Is Moon Knight ready for NYC? Better yet, is NYC ready for him?

Don’t miss one moment of the action when Ellis & Shalvey kick off the newest noir/horror thriller this March in the highly anticipated Moon Knight #1!

MOON KNIGHT #1 (JAN140638)
Written by WARREN ELLIS
Art & Cover by DECLAN SHALVEY
Variant Covers by BILL SIENKIEWICZ, ADI GRANOV, SKOTTIE YOUNG & KATIE COOK
FOC –02/10/14 On-Sale -03/05/14

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