This Week’s Marvel Previews
Check out previews for all of Marvel‘s releases this week before they hit the shelves this Wednesday. Click the cover below to see the full preview.
Tag Archives: death of x
Preview: Death of X #3
Death of X #3
(W) Charles Soule (A/CA) Aaron Kuder
Rated T+
In Shops: Nov 02, 2016
SRP: $3.99
Cyclops and Emma Frost start to hatch their plan. The Inhumans cross a line with the mutants.
Review: Death of X #2
It’s going down in issue #2 of the 4 part Death of X. If you’re coming in late to the party the short version of what you’ve missed is this: The Inhumans and The X-Men are getting ready to throw down in a clash of the titans style battle royale! On the surface it makes little to no sense but, if you stick with it, it might just be the shake up that the multiverse needs. It starts of post-Secret Wars and happens before IvX. The guiding force for this mini arc is all about what sets off the battle and where are Cyclops and Frost are.
Death of X #2 starts off on the Inhumans base. Storm and a small team of X-men are there to figure out what the Inhumans know about the terrigen cloud that has the power to kill or sicken most of the mutants with the X-Gene. Storm being overly honest tells the Inhumans about their reservations and uncertainty about what the Inhumans knew and didn’t. After being assured that the Inhumans aren’t behind the terrigen cloud Storm and her team head off to Madrid to warn others and evacuate the mutants. Medusa is offended by the assumption that her and her team had anything to do with any of this and feels conflicted over the allegation.
Medusa is concerned over the repercussions of the mutants thinking that the terrigen cloud was an attack, especially the powerful ones and, although they want peace she is prepared to fight and win a war. Cyclops goes on the offensive and sends a mental message to all citizens of Earth alerting them that the terrigen that the Inhumans put into earths atmosphere kills mutants and it doesn’t just help the Inhumans to survive on our planet. He calls for an all out rejection of the Inhumans and offers the X-mens protection to the people of earth.
Meanwhile in Madrid Gorgon and Flint are sent down by Crystal to calm the mass panic that Scott’s telepathic missive has created. Cylcops message has eaten up the time that the Inhumans had to evacuate the mutants to keep them safe and with very little time gorgon and Flint have no choice but to go to plan B and attempt to move the cloud. Storm shows up to help them in their efforts since their powers alone are not strong enough to move the cloud.
Back on Muir Island Colossus shows up to console his sister. She fears that the Inhumans won’t ever completely destroy the terrigen since they need it to fuel their powers and that its existence could end all of the X-men. They know a peace is needed with the Inhumans but, with everything that Scott and Emma have done, they’re not sure a peace is possible. Scott and Emma have assembled a mutant army.
The X-Men and Inhuman mash-up in Madrid is headed for disaster as the Inhumans plan to put everyone in Madrid, mutants included to sleep to squash the chaos and panic, a plan that will certainly add more stress to Inhuman and mutant relations. Not hearing back from Storm causes Scott to assume her and her team are dead and he decides their best course of action is to go after the Inhumans with everything they’ve got. Unfortunately for us fans, we have to wait a bit to see how this shakes out but, I have high hopes for the battle to come.
Charles Soule and Jeff Lemire tell a gripping story and the writing draws the reader in to a a leak world with what I’m sure will have a sad ending no matter who wins and how things shake out. The characters are well written and their motivations are clear and base level real. The survival instinct is strong within this issue and so far, within the stor arc itself. We find a faction of the X-men acting counter to their usual actions and more inline with the human reaction to mutants when they first stepped on the scene. The way that Charles and Jeff handle all of this is sure to cause some discomfort among fans but, it’ll also make way for more detailed and in depth story lines that dig up some very real emotions to surface.
Aaron Kuder ‘s art work works well with the grimness of the story and Morry Hollowell and Jay David Ramos ‘s coloring makes the story feel more like a mini live action drama adding a much needed level to the story. The art feels just as much a part of the story as the writing. The rich color palette and strong bright tweak of color when mutant (or Inhuman) powers are activated is a brilliant touch.
Overall this was a page turner and well worth a read. it is more than just a place holder or an expository link in the overall story line chain, it is a full fledged stand alone part of the universe and it has earned its place in the timeline as a great and gripping story with a lot of action, complex characters and motives and beautiful art.
Story : Charles Soule and Jeff Lemire Art: Aaron Kuder
Colorists: Morry Hollowell and Jay David Ramos
Story 9.3 Art: 8.9 Overall: 9.4 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Sell-Outs and New Printings
Check out some of the announced sell-outs and new printings over the past week in our Sunday roundup.
Image Comics
The Black Monday Murders issues #1-3 created by writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Tomm Coker are being rushed back to print in order to keep up with increased customer demand. Printings of every issue will be available upon release of the forthcoming The Black Monday Murders #4.
The Black Monday Murders #1, 4th printing, The Black Monday Murders #2, 3rd printing, The Black Monday Murders #3, 2nd printing, and The Black Monday Murders #4 will all be available on Wednesday, November 16th.
Green Valley #1—created and written by Max Landis, drawn by Giuseppe Camuncoli, inked by Cliff Rathburn, colored by Jean-Francois Beauliu, and lettered by Pat Brosseau—is being fast-tracked to a second printing in order to keep up with customer demand. The comic returns to shelves November 9th.
Image Comics has announced that issue #2 of the genre-bending sci-fi noir series Hadrian’s Wall by C.O.W.L. super-team Kyle Higgins, Alec Siegel, and Rod Reis will be rushed back to print in order to keep up with customer demand. It will be available on shelves the same day as forthcoming Hadrian’s Wall #3, providing customers with the perfect jumping-on point to the hot new series.
Hadrian’s Wall #2 is out November 16th.
Kill or Be Killed—the hot new series from Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, and Elizabeth Breitweiser—back to print in order to keep up with overwhelming customer demand. The breakout hit from the creative team behind the Eisner Award-winning The Fade Out series made headlines with critics and fans alike raving about this mind-bending thrill ride.
As an added bonus, the 4th printing of issue #1 will feature a new cover by award-winning artist David Aja.
Kill or Be Killed #1, 4th printing, Kill or Be Killed #2, 3rd printing, Kill or Be Killed #3, 2nd printing, and Kill or Be Killed #4 will all be available on Wednesday, November 16th.
Author Brian Azzarello and artist Eduardo Risso, the New York Times bestselling, Eisner Award winning creative team that redefined the crime genre with 100 Bullets, have served up another hit with Moonshine. The first issue is being rushed back to print in order to keep up with increasing customer demand.
Moonshine #1 2nd printing arrives November 16th.
Reborn by Mark Millar and Greg Capullo which launched today is being rushed back to print immediately to keep up with the overwhelming customer demand.
Reborn #1 2nd printing is being released November 16th.
Marvel
Just like the Jackal himself, The Clone Conspiracy #1 keeps making new copies! Following a rapid sell-out of both the first and second printing at the distributor level, Marvel is pleased to announce that The Clone Conspiracy #1 will return to comic shops for a third printing! Copies may still be available at retail level, and now is your chance to jump on board the next turning point in the life of the Amazing Spider-Man! The world is already talking, so don’t get left behind because the story is just getting started!
The arrival of the Champions was just the beginning. Marvel NOW! is charging forward, pushing the Marvel Universe into new and exciting directions with new books and new story arcs from some of the industry’s top creators. Marvel has announced a wave of sellouts for these can’t-miss comics! In addition to the new Marvel flagship title Champions #1 (arriving in stores 11/02/16), the following titles have all sold out at the distributor level and will be rushed back for new printings: Amazing Spider-Man #19, CAGE! #1, Deadpool: Back in Black #1, Death of X #1, Doctor Strange #12, Enchanted Tiki Room #1, Invincible Iron Man #14 and Jessica Jones #1! Champions #1 2nd printing is out November 2nd with the rest arriving November 16th.
Around the Tubes
The weekend is almost here! What geeky things will you all be partaking in? Sound off in the comments!
While you decide on that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.
Around the Tubes
CBLDF – Documentary The Trial of Mike Diana Coming in 2017 – Could be very interesting.
The Beat – Riri’s no-no: Marvel gets schooled on teen fashion and sexualization – It’s a bad cover people! How did it get approved period!?
Around the Tubes Reviews
Talking Comics – Death of X #2
ICv2 – Platinum End Vol. 1
Talking Comics – Superman #9
Review: Death of X #2
When I first had heard of Death of X, like many other X-Men fans I was upset. I said this is Marvel’s way of finally getting rid of some of my favorite characters. Then I started paying attention to some of the press. I saw they announced Jeff Lemire, and Charles Soule would be writing the series, and that intrigued me. I then saw the fantastic art of Aaron Kuder, and then I really had to see what this series was all about. The first issue had set up some big stakes, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. With the second issue, I am still enjoying this book, I just wanted a little more from it.
Now that isn’t to say I won’t be satisfied when this miniseries is over. This book takes place in the past, and is showing us what Cyclops did to become such a hated character in the Marvel universe. The big war is coming with IvX, which will begin once this book ends. I will say I am excited to see where this book takes us before the big Inhuman vs. X-Men war.
This book paints Medusa, Crystal, and some of the other Inhumans in a good light. Some people may not like that, especially if they feel that Marvel is trying to push the Inhumans to replace the X-Men, but most of the mutants are trying to do the right thing here as well. Forge will be using his tech to find mutants, while Hank McCoy is looking for a cure. Storm is trying to talk about things diplomatically with Medusa, and find a non-violent solution to their dire problem. As for Cyclops, and Emma Frost, well they are going about things much differently. This issue tightens the rope of tension around everyone a lot tighter.
We get to see more characters enter the story in this issue, both in the inhuman and mutant form. Storm is featured here prominently, and this issue does a good job of showing the contrast between her and Scott as leaders. Crystal, Iso, Gorgon, and Daisuke play big roles here and are seemingly trying to do the right thing. There are also old mutant favorites that appear like Sunfire, Colossus, and Strong Guy as they arrive for a funeral of their lost friend. I have to admit, I may have gotten a little too excited when I saw Strong Guy, so the nostalgia here is working.
Medusa’s hair looks so good in this book. Aaron Kuder does such a good job of filling entire panels with the iconic red locks. Kuder’s art is very unique. So often you hear about how well an artist draws characters. Kuder does a nice job there too, don’t get me wrong, but he doesn’t ignore the little things in the background. The landscapes, houses, towns, and everything else in the scenes have such nice details that many artists would ignore. I really liked the colors in this book by Morry Hollowell and Jay David Ramos, and the inks by Jay Leisten, Cam Smith, and Scott Hanna as well. They do a good job of complimenting Kuder’s art and make each panel come to life.
I have high hopes for the remaining issues, and this issue sets up something pretty big on its final page. It is becoming obvious it is not going to end well for everyone, and we already knew some of that by what is going on in the current X-Books. I am sticking around for the remaining issues, and I recommend that you do too.
Story: Charles Soule and Jeff Lemire Art: Aaron Kuder
Ink: Jay Leisten, Cam Smith, and Scott Hanna Color: Morry Hollowell and Jay David Ramos
Story: 7 Art: 9 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!
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!
We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.
Shay
Top Pick: Harley Quinn #6 (DC Comics) – The punk scene and Harley are a match made in anarchist heaven! This issue will give you life!
Wynonna Earp Vol 1 TP (IDW Publishing) – This reboot/re-imagining of Wynonna Earp will bring TV fans and die-hard fans from the OG comics when she was still blonde and buxom together under one accord. Wynonna is one hell of a bad ass and her story deserves to be told. Get semi caught up with this trade paperback and enjoy yourself. It’s a great jump off point to get to know the new Wynonna, meet her for the first time or, discover some of the things that you wish you
Black Panther #7 (Marvel) – Black Panther gets more than by with a little help from his friends! This issue has everything you need and want, a lot of action, some serious double crossing, a nice spirit walk , funny and clever quips ,a dash of blaxploitation fire and , some killer cameos!
Spell on Wheels #1 (Dark Horse) – Girl powered road trip! But, the girls are witches on the trail of the thief that stole their powers.
Death of X #2 (Marvel) – It’s going DOWN! two more issues then we have IvX! This is the bridge to cover that gap and set the stage for one hell of a fight. Without giving away too much lets just say that the X-men, especially Cyclops should “Beware when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become one.” Because where the Inhumans are concerned he’s starting to sound an awful lot like the humans who came for the X-men and the other mutants.
Joe
Top Pick: Dept. H #7 (Dark Horse) – This has been such a good series so far by Matt and Sharlene Kindt. The underwater claustrophobia continues as Mia searches for who killed her father while trying to stay alive. The combination of the pencils and watercolor is just beautiful in this book and you should definitely check it out.
Black Hammer #4 (Dark Horse) – Such an original series. I always have liked what Lemire does, but this is so weird and silly and yet has such a great story. The characters are somehow relatable while still being so over the top. The way it pokes at superhero tropes is hilarious and refreshing. I also love the classic style art in this book, it really fits well.
Batman #9 (DC Comics) – Now that we are done with “Night of The Monster Men,” we can get back to a more focused story I hope. I love what Tom King was doing with this book, and am excited to see what this “I Am Suicide” arc is all about. King has made Batman very vulnerable so far, and I want to see how far he takes The Dark Knight, and how far DC is willing to let him.
Death of X #2 (Marvel) – I love Aaron Kuder’s art. It’s a breath of fresh air for Marvel. I also liked the first issue and want to see what Soule and Lemire do here since they are both writing this series. I’ve been intrigued by this title, and as a kid who grew up with The X-books being my favorites, I want to see what Marvel is really planning for them.
Infamous Iron Man #1 (Marvel) – Who doesn’t want to see Victor Von Doom as Iron Man? I’m so curious to see what Bendis will do here. I am sure everyone is. Is Victor truly redeemed post-Secret Wars? What will he think of Riri? Where the hell is Tony? There are tons of questions, and I am very hopeful for this series.
Alex
Top Pick: Faith #4 (Valiant) – Alex looking forward to a Valiant comic? Hardly a surprise, really, but this issue that has Faith, Archer and Faith (yes, really) attending a comic book convention is going to be an absolute blast to read.
Batman #9 (DC Comics) – At last the crossover story is done, so hopefully now we get to something that’s just flat out better.
Black Hammer #4 (Dark Horse) – A story about forgotten, or lost, heroes trapped for some reason in a town that most of them don’t want to be in. It’s a brilliant story, and one I was fortunate enough to read the first two issues in one go – absolutely worth your time.
Green Lanterns #9 (DC Comics) – After eight issues, I’ve found that I’ve become rather fond of the Green Lantern property post-Rebirth, and a large part of that new found fandom is because of this comic. It’s fairly similar in tone to Faith, and seeing as how that’s one of my favourite series right now, it stands to reason that this would also be pretty high on my list.
Ninjak #20 (Valiant) – I’m still not as excited about this comic as I want to be, but it’s still more enticing to me than almost anything that Marvel are publishing this week. I don’t know whether that says more about Valiant’s consistent high quality or Marvel’s lack of anything interesting.
Brett
Top Pick: Infamous Iron Man #1 (Marvel) – Doctor Doom as Iron Man is an intriguing concept and we get the details as to why and how here. If you don’t want Civil War II spoiled, you might want to avoid this comic, but, it gives us our first hint as to what the hell goes down at the end of that event. Beyond that, Doom as hero is actually really interesting and something I want to see.
Death of X #2 (Marvel) – The first issue was a bit mixed for me, but I really want to see what happened between Mutants and Inhumans and the fate of a lot of characters. Marvel has teased things, and I want the details.
The Black Hood Season 2 #1 (Dark Circle) – Archie’s “superhero” series gets a second volume. The first was brutal, dark, and really great to read. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #1 (DC’s Young Animal) – This new line of comics from DC has been really interesting and the latest release is an interesting one with a rather obscure character. I have no idea what to expect, but it’s one that’s high on my list to find out.
The Bunker #19 (Oni Press) – The time traveling mind trip comes to an end with this issue which feels like it has so much to wrap up. It’s been one hell of a ride, so how this all ends is something I really want to know and can’t wait to find out.
Anthony
Secret Path: Confronting the past is something that often requires dealing with controversial subject matter, looking outward to return inward in the present time, reflecting and hoping a light is shone on what is often ignored. Secret Path tells the story of a young boy named Chanie Wenjack whom died trying to find his way home, 400 miles away, after escaping from the often brutal conditions that many Aboriginal people faced in Residential Schools. Gord Downie, lead singer of The Tragically Hip and long time activist for Aboriginal rights, and artist Jeff Lemire, present a story in which Canada must come face to face with their own past reality.
Black Hammer #4 (Dark Horse) – The team of Black Hammer continues to flesh out some very thought provoking, emotional, and deconstructive stories/images on the superhero genre as a whole. This issue looks to focus on Abraham Slam’s past, intermingling with the present time.
Black Panther #7 (Marvel) – Chris Sprouse has been doing a solid job penciling the last few issues after Brian Stelfreeze’s first four issues and looks to continue expanding the wide range of characters and places with Ta-Nehisi Coates’s scripts and Laura Martin’s wide-ranging colours. It looks like the creative team will be re-introducing ‘The Crew’ with the new set of members looking like Black Panther, Misty Knight, Storm and Luke Cage.
Black Widow #7 (Marvel) – Black Widow returns and looks to confront the very person that has been screwing around with her life: Weeping Lion. Chris Samnee, Mark Waid, and Matt Wilson have created a wonderfully balanced series, showing the power of visual storytelling alongside scripts that don’t really rely too heavily on exposition.
Faith #4 (Valiant) – Faith and Archer decide to spend some much needed time together by going to the local comic convention, away from the hustle and bustle of being a superhero. But, sometimes you just can’t escape that. The two have found themselves about to face off against a group of people trying to invade on the fun to be had at nerdvana.
Jason
Top Pick: Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #1 (DC’s Young Animal) – Even a few titles in, Gerard Way’s ‘Young Animals’ is already proving to be a shot in the arm for DC’s comics line, with the My Chemical Romance frontman and his team embracing the weird and cherry picking the most obscure and weird characters from the company’s vaults.They don’t come any more obscure than Cave Carson, the one with the cybernetic eye, first appearing in four issues of the ‘Brave and the Bold’ in the 60’s before making his way onto the aptly named “Forgotten Heroes” along with Animal Man in the 80’s.
“Inspired by the visionary work of DC’s experimental past, but shaped and focused on the absurdity of today” is the imprints mission statement and it would seem that Way and Rivera are taking the spelunking hero down a psychedelic, self exploratory path as he struggles with his grip on reality after his wife’s death.
Infamous Iron Man #1 (Marvel) – Following in the footsteps of Doctor Octopus as Superior Spider-man, this month Iron Man becomes infamous as the leader of Latveria dons Stark’s armor. One of two characters taking over the Iron Man Mantle along with Riri Williams it remains to be seen if Bendis and Maleev’s Victor is truly on a path to redemption or working an angle to a new devious master plan.
While his last big plan saw Doom elevate himself to the status of God of the newly formed battleworld, can one of the biggest and most complex villains of the Marvel Universe really step up and become a true hero? With the series’ second issue featuring long time adversary and sure to be skeptical Ben Grimm, it’s sure going to be an interesting look into an already layered character.
Around the Tubes
New York Comic Con has begun! What things already announced are you looking forward to? Sound off in the comments!
While you decide on that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
Around the Tubes
The Beat – :01 is Serializing Spillzone Online – Check it out!
CBR – Arrow Ratings Down in Season Five Premiere – Well that’s not good.
The Beat – Marvel and Netflix’s Punisher announces three new cast members, including Micro – Are folks excited for this?
Around the Tubes Reviews
Atomic Junk Shop – Arcane Sally & Mr. Steam #1
Atomic Junk Shop – Bloody Moon
Talking Comics – Cage #1
Newsarama – Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love #1
Talking Comics – Death of Hawkman #1
Talking Comics – Death of X #1
Newsarama – Death of X #1
Comic Attack – Nighthawk #5
Review: Death of X #1
What happened eight months ago that set the Inhumans and X-Men on a collision course? Find out here! The Inhumans travel to Japan where one of the Terrigen Clouds creates a shocking new Inhuman. The X-Men travel to Muir Island where the second Terrigen Cloud causes something truly terrible. When these two events collide, a war of catastrophic proportions explodes!
If you’ve wondered what happened in the eight-month gap between Secret Wars and where the Marvel universe picked up, then Death of X is for you. It begins to fill in that missing information that’s been teased ever since but not completely spelled out. We know there was a conflict between the Inhumans and Cyclops, but not exactly what happened and we know that Terrigen Mist is causing mutants to get ill and die. The cloud brings life to some and kills other. Some would say that’s a metaphor for the Inhumans’ and X-Men’s roles in the Marvel universe.
Written by Jeff Lemire and Charles Soule, the comic takes us through the earlier moments of the Terrigen Cloud’s travels around the globe and a slow reveal that what’s good for one isn’t good for the other. It also answers some questions about characters we haven’t seen since the Marvel Universe was kickstarted. Yes, there’s a death of a character we’ve been wondering about and we see the Terrigen Mist begin to impact others too, likely resulting in their death.
It’s interesting to get some background finally and see what Cyclops’ last lashing out was like, and unfortunately that’s what it feels like when it comes to that character. We get some of the classic leader, but towards the end Cyclops feels more like Magneto than the character once was. He’s gone full villain turning to violence without any thought or reason being given (ironically something Champions which debuts this week rails against). If you’re not a fan of Cyclops’ heel turn, you probably won’t be happy here.
The art by Aaron Kuder is hit and miss. I’m not quite sure if the issues I saw was Kuder’s line art or the coloring, but there’s some oddities. For instance a panel with Emma Frost has her neck look pencil thin and those sorts of tiny issues feel like they’re peppered throughout the comic. It’s enough that I noticed it, but there is some good art, it’s just not the draw (pun intended).
The first issue is doing what it promised, to fill in the gap of the eight months and for us to finally find out what happened to Cyclops and the first fallout between the Inhumans and mutants. For those that care about that clash and the upcoming event that feels like it’ll probably be round two of that clash, this is something that’s a must.
Story: Jeff Lemire, Charles Soule Art: Aaron Kuder
Story: 7.5 Art: 6.95 Overall: 7.4 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Death of X #1 Prepares Mutants & Inhumans For War!
The X-Men and the Inhumans are on a collision course. Cyclops is missing and presumed dead. But the question on everyone’s lips is “why”? That question and more will be answered in Death of X #1 – a new 4-issue series launching October 5th! Superstar creators Jeff Lemire and Charles Soule are joined by fan-favorite artist Aaron Kuder for an incendiary tale that will change the course of Mutantkind and Inhumanity alike!
As the Terrigen Mists roll across the Earth, it’s transformative properties are birthing new Inhumans across the Marvel Universe. But while the mists bring life to the Inhumans, they spell only doom for the X-Men, leaving dead or sickly mutants in their wake. As the Inhumans travel to Japan where the Terrigen Cloud has created a shocking new Inhuman, the X-Men travel to Muir Island where the cloud has caused something truly terrible. For the sake of his people, Cyclops must take action or face extinction. But how?
As war looms on the horizon, be there for the shocking beginning to the conflict. The fuse is lit, how long before this powder keg explodes?
DEATH OF X #1 (AUG160922)
Written by JEFF LEMIRE & CHARLES SOULE
Art & Cover by AARON KUDER
Classic Variant by BUTCH GUICE (AUG160926)
Wraparound Teaser Variant by AARON KUDER (AUG160923)
Connecting Variant A by MIKE CHOI (AUG160925)
Kuder Wraparound Sketch Variant Also Available (AUG160924)
FOC – 09/12/16 On-Sale – 10/05/16
