Tag Archives: astonishing x-men

Review: Astonishing X-Men #3

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untitledThe X-Men continue their fight against the Shadow King! But when Old Man Logan loses himself in the Astral Plane and Shadow King’s illusions, will he ever find his way back to his teammates? And what other horrors await our team?

After the events of Astonishing X-Men #2 (minor spoiler) with the team now on the astral plane, and being separated into two pairs and 1 solo, I knew the next few issues would be focusing on the split up characters and their path to confronting the Shadow King. Charles Soule starts us of with Old Man Logan and his journey through the astral plane. It’s an alright journey, telling the reader a bit about Logan’s past and what drives him, along with how he’s able to walk so easily through the astral plane and shake off the Shadow King like he’s nothing. Nothing terribly exciting, but not a bad read either. The flashes back to the real world and how the remaining X-Men are dealing with the authorities is getting a little dry, pretty much just a chance to reiterate why this is all going down. One thing it did manage to do was to get me missing the old Warren Worhthington III; I’m not a huge fan of this pacifist, peace loving character as it’s laid on a little thick here, but I am intrigued by the inner struggle between him and Archangel. I’m sure we’ll see an issue or two about that.

The art provided by Ed McGuinness, Mark Morales and Jason Keith is fine, but I really found myself missing the art from the first two issues. I know this book will be rotating through artists, and that’s great to showcase different talents, I just found myself finding this art feeling a little ‘cartoony’, lacking in some of the grit and darker tones of the last two issues.

Overall, this was an alright issue. I think I just feel spoiled after the first two issues, with lots of action and a fast pace, matched with great art and dialogue. This issue, as I mentioned, was fine and I expected the story to go this way when the team was split up. But it felt a little slow for me, nothing really earth shattering taking place, and the art just didn’t leave me with the high I felt after the start of the series. I am still very much a fan of this series and I’m looking forward to seeing more from this team and the ultimate showdown with the Shadow King.

Story: Charles Soule Art: Ed McGuinness Ink: Mark Morales Color: Jason Keith
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE issue for review

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

Each week our contributors are choosing up to five books and why they’re choosing the books. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Elana

4 Kids Walk Into A Bank issue #5 (Black Mask Studios) – One of the best mini series around, 4 Kids reaches its conclusion. If you want a Stranger Things or Stand By Me type story with an incredibly well written girl protagonist and wise humor this series is for you. Read my review of issues 1-3.

 

Paul

Top Pick: Astonishing X-Men #3 (Marvel) – This X title hit the ground running in the first issue, and shows no signs of letting up. This book has a very interesting group of X-Men making up the team, many I’m happy to see in a team book again. The action is non stop, the writing is really good and one surprise already caught me off guard, so I’m really looking forward to see what else his book is going to throw at me.

Champions #12 (Marvel) – It’s no surprise to anyone following the site that this is one of my favorite titles right now, and I’m really looking forward to this issue and seeing where the team is post Secret Empire. The solicit is promising a change to the line up, and while I do welcome change, I’m a little nervous how a change to the team could change the dynamic and the overall feel of the book. But, I’m optimistic and can’t wait to find out.

Jessica Jones #12 (Marvel) – Being one of my favorite characters (before Netflix and it was cool to be a fan of Jessica’s) I am really enjoying this title. I can’t wait for Maria Hill’s secrets to come to light and how Jessica will react, and how these revelations will shake up Jessica’s world.

 

Javier

Top Pick: World Reader #6 (Aftershock Comics) – I first came across Loveness’ writing in Marvel’s Rocket Racoon & Groot. It was one of the best emotional reads I have had in a while. Since then, if he writes it, I buy it. In his latest work–well supported by Juan Doe’s vibrant art–he gives us more sci-fi laden empathic space travels across the universe, seeking the answers to dead worlds.

Iron Fist #7 (Marvel) – Everybody has been hating on Marvel lately, but they still remain one of the top players in the comic book world and attract top talent (Disney must offer a hell of a health insurance plan). A prime example is Ed Brisson taking over and bringing life back to the Iron Fist character. This latest arc teams him up with Shang-Chi Master of Kung Fu; plus Mike Perkins’, dark colored, action packed art is a visual thrill.

Doom Patrol #8 (DC’s Young Animal) – True, it’s not Grant Morrison’s DP, but Gerard Way’s new take stands on it’s own, and has enough weird to keep me coming back month after month.

Seven to Eternity #9 (Image) – This sci-fi western fantasy by Rick Remender has become one of my favorites. I miss Opena’s art, but Harren is filling in the job nicely.

Postal #22 (Image/TopCow) – Hill and Goodhart are bringing things to a head as the town folk of Eden ready themselves for all out conflict with the FBI.

 

Brett

Top Pick: Poppies of Iraq (Drawn & Quarterly) – So many good books this week, but this is the absolute top of my list. This graphic novel is Brigitte Findakly’s chronicle of her relationship with her homeland of Iraq and the history she experienced there. Can’t wait to read this and see her take.

Ab Irato #5 (Lion Forge Comics) – Lion Forge’s “Catalyst” line of comics is making headlines but this series is some of the smartest writing in comics right now looking at a political uprising from the ground perspective.

Beirut Won’t Cry (Fantagraphics Books) – An artist’s view of the summer of 2006 Israeli attack on Lebanon. While I probably won’t agree with everything said, I want to see what’s said.

Dastardly and Muttley #1 (DC Comics) – Garth Ennis taking on the classic pair. It sounds insane and I can’t wait to read it.

Lazaretto #1 (BOOM! Studios) – A pandemic strikes a dorm complex at a small college and it’s quarantined with kids trapped inside. Sounds like an amazing concept.

Preview: Astonishing X-Men #3

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Astonishing X-Men #3

(W) Charles Soule (A/CA) Ed McGuinness
Rated T+
In Shops: Sep 06, 2017
SRP: $3.99

SHADOW KING SHOWDOWN!
• The X-MEN continue their fight against the SHADOW KING!
• But when OLD MAN LOGAN loses himself in the ASTRAL PLANE and Shadow King’s illusions, will he ever find his way back to his teammates? AND WHAT OTHER HORRORS AWAIT OUR TEAM?
• Brought to you by the incomparable ED MCGUINNESS and eXcellent X-Men scribe, Charles Soule, ASTONISHING X-MEN continues to be the X-Book you can’t afford to miss.

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

Each week our contributors are choosing up to five books and why they’re choosing the books. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Joe

Top Pick: Dark Nights: Metal #1 (DC Comics) – Snyder and Cappulo back on a Batman book that will have huge repercussions and changed for the DC universe. Hell yes!

Southern Bastards #17 (Image) – This book doesn’t come out often enough, and I’m only complaining because it’s so damn good.

Aquaman #27 (DC Comics) – This has been such a good arc with incredible art and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

All-New Guardians of the Galaxy #8 (Marvel) – This has been such a pleasant surprise to me and a lot of fun. Duggan knows how to tie the ridiculousness with action so well on Deadpool, and he brings that to this series.

Astonishing X-Men #2 (Marvel) – A really solid first issue that hit the nostalgia home run much more than Gold did for me. The ending teased something huge but I’m sure that was just a trick by a certain character.

 

Brett

Top Pick: American Way: Those Above and Below #2 (Vertigo) – Jon Ridley alone is enough to get me looking forward to this series but the first issue knocked it out of the park having me excited to read the second.

Catalyst Prime Superb #2 (Lion Forge Comics) – The first issue was solid and delivers on Catalyst Prime’s promises. I want to see where this second one goes to see if it can continue the positive direction of the entire line.

Future Quest Presents #1 (DC Comics) – A new anthology-ish series that continues the adventures of some of my favorite childhood characters.

Motor Girl #8 (Abstract Studios) – Easily the best comic on the market. It mixes humor and feels in a way no other comic is doing. Just utter perfection and the one I look forward to each and every month.

Sh*t My Presidents Says: Illustrated Tweets of Donald Trump (IDW Publishing) – Shannon Wheeler’s cartoons that bring President Trump’s tweets to life are collected in this book. It’s both funny and… sad.

Preview: Astonishing X-Men #2

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ASTONISHING X-MEN #2

CHARLES SOULE (W) • MIKE DEODATO JR. (A/C)
Variant Cover by RYAN STEGMAN
Character Variant Cover by ELIZABETH TORQUE
Villain Variant Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU

ENTER: THE ASTRAL PLANE!

In the next chapter of this action-packed X-Men epic, PSYLOCKE, ROGUE, OLD MAN LOGAN and the rest of their impromptu team travel to the astral plane in pursuit of the dastardly SHADOW KING. But on the astral plane, not everything is as it seems, and reality is only as reliable as what you think it is… Will the X-Men be able to contain the chaos from spilling out into the world? From superstar writer CHARLES SOULE and rock-star artist MIKE DEODATO JR., ASTONISHING X-MEN is the book you cannot afford to miss!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Review: Astonishing X-Men #1

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An ancient evil is attacking the world’s most powerful minds. It will have them by the time you finish this sentence, and a moment later, it will have us all. A band of X-Men discovers the truth behind the threat, but there is no time left. Psylocke, Old Man Logan, Bishop, Archangel, Fantomex, Rogue, and Gambit will attempt to save a world that hates and fears them. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE THE X-MEN.

WOW, now this is how you kick off a new title!  Charles Soule hits the ground running in this first issue giving us an interesting line up of X-Men who are thrown into action almost immediately and discover an old foe has returned. We’re introduced to various X-Men and given a brief description of each, but also an interesting explanation on how they are all alike aside from being mutants. It was a great way to set up the team, and really gave me something to think about with each of them, presenting them in a way I hadn’t thought of before. But then BOOM, the action hits and it is non stop throughout the issue. Soule shows that he really knows these characters and their history which makes this all the more enjoyable to read; a very interesting line up with characters who have not so great pasts between them who have to let all of that go and come together to take on the threat.

Aside from a great set up story, the art work is my favorite part of this book. Jim Cheung does a beautiful job of bringing these characters to life. I have been a long time fan of his work (especially his time on Young Avengers) and he did not disappoint here.  His detail and facial expressions definitely read and shows us clearly how these characters are feeling, and the action panels are big and explosive and don’t slow down!  I absolutely love his depiction of Psylocke’s psychic powers at work and I really like seeing her butterfly effect again. The only thing that threw me off was his depiction of Beast. He has shown up looking much for feline, where as Henry has had a more ape like appearance since his last mutation. Don’t get me wrong, I always preferred Beast looking more cat like, but it just didn’t mesh with how the character has been shown in other books. But a small detail to otherwise beautiful work.

If you can’t already tell, I absolutely loved this first issue. The action was there right from the beginning, we have a new group of X-Men coming together that will definitely have some growing pains when it comes to working together and we have fantastic art that makes this a book you do not want to miss. Throw in a great classic villain and a reveal at the end that had my eyes widen and you have a first issue that is truly astonishing.

Story: Charles Soule Art: Jim Cheung
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Around the Tubes

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It was new comic book day yesterday. What’d folks get? What’d you all enjoy? Sound off in the comments! While we wait for San Diego Comic-Con to kick off, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

Around the Tubes

Loudwire – Nikki Sixx Announces ‘Heroin Diaries’ Graphic Novel – Well ok then.

ICv2 – Fantagraphics, Lion Forge, Titan Comics Join Hoopla – Good way to get your stuff out there.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

Newsarama – Archie #22

Newsarama – Astonishing X-Men #1

Newsarama – Batman #27

CBR – Catalyst Prime: Superb #1

Talking Comics- Dread Gods #1

Newsarama – Secret Empire #6

Talking Comics – War for the Planet of the Apes #1

Preview: Astonishing X-Men #1

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Astonishing X-Men #1

(W) Charles Soule (A/CA) Jim Cheung
Rated T+
In Shops: Jul 19, 2017
SRP: $4.99

ONLY THE X-MEN CAN SAVE US!
An ancient evil is attacking the world’s most powerful minds. It will have them by the time you finish this sentence, and a moment later, it will have us all. A band of X-MEN discovers the truth behind the threat, but there is no time left. PSYLOCKE, OLD MAN LOGAN, BISHOP, ARCHANGEL, FANTOMEX, ROGUE and GAMBIT will attempt to save a world that hates and fears them. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE THE X-MEN.

From blockbuster writer CHARLES SOULE and joined by a roster of superstar artists beginning with JIM CHEUNG. ASTONISHING X-MEN. It’s the X-book you need.

Marvel Begins to Tease Out Marvel Legacy with New Images

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Marvel yesterday promised news today that would “change the comic industry” and so far we’re getting that in the form of covers for their Marvel Legacy initiative which, much like DC Comics’ Rebirth, looks to envigorate the Marvel line by honoring the past while setting up the future as well. It will also return some series to their original numbering.

Marvel Legacy is set to kick off with a 50-page one shot by Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic.

The covers below harken back to classic covers and stories in hopes of reminding individuals why they should make theirs Marvel.

Images released so far are:

  • Incredible Hulk: Mike Deodato
  • America: Benjamin Caldwell
  • X-Men: Blue: David Lopez
  • Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur: Felipe Smith
  • Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows: Khary Randolph
  • Astonishing X-Men: John Cassaday
  • Iceman: Michael Ryan
  • The Invincible Iron Man: Alan Davis
  • Luke Cage: Dave Johnson
  • Old Man Logan: Cameron Stewart
  • Secret Warriors: Dave Johnson

Expect more throughout the day.

 

Jim Cheung, Ron Garney, ACO, Phil Noto, Greg Land, and Ramon Rosanas Join the Astonishing X-Men

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The hardest hitting mutants. The biggest villains. And now, the best artists in the business! Some of the biggest names in comics are gearing up to bring the highly anticipated Astonishing X-Men to life, and Marvel has revealed the first artists attached! Beginning this July, blockbuster writer Charles Soule headlines a prestigious new series that will team him with a new A-List artist each and every issue for an epic story that will reshape the mutant landscape in the Marvel Universe!

Kicking off in July’s oversized Astonishing X-Men #1, Charles Soule teams with red-hot artist Jim Cheung to unite a team of fan-favorite X-Men the likes of which you’ve never seen before! Future issues of Astonishing X-Men will feature artwork by Ron Garney, ACO, Phil Noto, Greg Land, Ramon Rosanas with more artists yet to be revealed!

Old Man Logan, Archangel, Mystique, Rogue, Gambit, Bishop, Psylocke and Fantomex. Assembled, they are the Astonishing X-Men. But what brings this eclectic collection of heroes together? A familiar menace has once again reared its ugly head – reborn, renewed and resurrected. To defeat one of their deadliest foes and rescue one of their own, the X-Men’s greatest will assemble for a mission that will take them places you never thought they’d go!

The first can’t-miss issue of Astonishing X-Men hits this July.

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