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G.O.D.S. #1 doesn’t match the build up

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G.O.D.S. #1

The infinite détente between The-Natural-Order-Of-Things and The-Powers-That-Be nears an end. Old acquaintances are reunited during a Babylon Event. The Lion of Wolves throws the worst parties. Don’t look under the table. There’s a John Wilkes Booth penny on the ground. G.O.D.S. #1 has had months of hype and build and the debut issue doesn’t live up to any of that.

When it comes to the various gods of the Marvel Universe, the execution has been weirdly muddled and at times contradictory. Depicted as forces, depicted as beings who make decisions, depicted as something grander than comprehension, depicted as a being you can touch, it’s been all over. Now, they have servants who walk among us and do… something, it’s not quite clear.

G.O.D.S. #1 kicks off the newest high concept Marvel comic from writer Jonathan Hickman and the end result is just a bunch of new characters who are cool but don’t deliver a ton. At the center of things is Wyn, a character who has the charm of Constantine and powers of… Constantine and Doctor Strange? While a possible nice addition to the Marvel Universe, the character is one that’s rather familiar… a fun familiarity. He has the charm, he has the cool, he saves the day, but we’re just presented a character who’s surface not substance beyond his relationship with Aiko Maki, his sort of wife, and Dimitri his apprentice/servant. In the trio we get a rehash of drama and back and forth that’s a bit Strange/Clea/Wong. It’s just in this case they all serve some higher powers. We’re not exactly sure the who, why, what, and more which leaves the comic to rely on the action(s) to hook the readers. And, while it’s all fine, it just delivers a comic that’s more style than substance. Like some of Hickman’s recent releases, the end result is a debut that has some good ideas but doesn’t deliver enough to really hook you or feel satisfying.

The art by Valerio Schiti is what stands out. With Marte Gracia on color and lettering by Travis Lanham, the comic looks great delivering action and designs that are fantastic. There’s absolutely an otherworldly vibe about it all in the characters and locations, making the comic feel a bit grander than some of the other mystical Marvel comics. The comic’s visuals does a solid job of “sexy and cool” and grand action with a slight horror tinge. An action packed sequence is preceded and followed by a quiet one featuring Wyn and Aiko discussing their relationship that feels like it’s Steven Soderbergh’s Out of Sight.

At $9.99 for the first issue, G.O.D.S. #1 is a “pass.” If it had a cover price of half that, it’d be a “read.” But, as is, the comic feels like a one-shot that has little connection to the Marvel Universe and impact featuring a trio that’s are a clone of Doctor Strange’s world. For a series that was built like it’d shake things up, it just introduces a bunch of new characters who deliver Hickman’s charm and cool concepts but there’s not much else beyond flashy art. It’s the blockbuster that is all style and little else.

Story: Jonathan Hickman Art: Valerio Schiti
Color: Marte Gracia Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 7.0 Art: 8.4 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Pass

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

New recruit Mia discovers her magic potential in G.O.D.S.!

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At the crossroads of science and magic, agents of opposing factions operate on the behest of the pantheon of abstract cosmic beings such as Eternity, Infinity, and the Living Tribunal. This October, they emerge from the shadows as their war erupts into the wider Marvel Universe in Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti’s G.O.D.S.!

The highly-anticipated series will introduce fans to an exciting new cast of characters, some of which readers have already met this summer in special bonus pages in select titles! These foreboding interactions with your favorite heroes have generated all kinds of questions!

From powerful mystics to daring scientists to chaos bringers, these characters exist outside the fight between good and evil and devote their time to upholding the very building blocks of creation. They may be new to readers but they’ve been scheming and clashing with each other for eons and are privy to startling truths your favorite heroes and villains wish they knew! This week, some of the major players of G.O.D.S. will be spotlighted in special teasers and concept art.

Fans have already been acquainted with the mystically gifted members of THE-POWERS-THAT-BE and the scientifically focused followers of THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS. Now, meet a young girl caught in between them both: Mia! Magically inclined but coveted by THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS, Mia’s extraordinary destiny is within her reach, but the greater forces of the universe might have other plans… 

The cast of G.O.D.S. brace for an uncertain future in Phil Noto’s G.O.D.S. #3 cover!

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Marvel’s pantheon of cosmic entities have faithful servants that walk among us as members of two opposing factions: the powerful mystics of THE-POWERS-THAT-BE and the brilliant scientific minds of THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS. For eons, they’ve clashed and schemed with all of reality hanging in the balance until they formed a fragile pact. Now, a mysterious rogue agent by the name of Cubisk Core has shattered that uneasy peace, and this secret war will come out of the shadows for the first time in Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti’s G.O.D.S.! Check out superstar artist Phil Noto’s stunning new variant cover for issue #3 that spotlights the main cast of the title.

The highly-anticipated series will introduce fans to an exciting new cast of characters, some of which readers have already met this summer in special bonus pages in select titles.  These characters exist outside the fight between heroes and villains and devote their time to upholding the very building blocks of creation. All week long, the major players of G.O.D.S. have been spotlighted in special teasers and concept art: Wyn, servant of The-Powers-That-Be; Aiko Maki, Ninety-Seventh Centivar of The-Natural-Order-of-Things; Dimitri, chained apprentice The-Powers-That-Be; Mia, a magic girl caught between The-Powers-That-Be and The-Natural-Order-of-Things; and Cubisk Core; a Proto-Mage with an insidious agenda. See them all together in Noto’s cover and learn about key terms in the G.O.D.S. mythos with a new encyclopedia teaser image! 

Cubisk Core disrupts the system and ushers in a new age in G.O.D.S. #1

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Marvel’s pantheon of cosmic entities have faithful servants that walk among us as members of two opposing factions: the powerful mystics of THE-POWERS-THAT-BE and the brilliant scientific minds of THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS. For eons, they’ve clashed and schemed with all of reality hanging in the balance until they formed a fragile pact. Now, a mysterious rogue agent by the name of Cubisk Core has shattered that uneasy peace, and this secret war will come out of the shadows for the first time in Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti’s G.O.D.S.!

The highly-anticipated series will introduce fans to an exciting new cast of characters, some of which readers have already met this summer in special bonus pages in select titles.  These characters exist outside the fight between heroes and villains and devote their time to upholding the very building blocks of creation. This week, some of the major players of G.O.D.S. have been spotlighted in special teasers and concept art. Today, it’s time to meet the character who wants to bring it all down—CUBISK CORE! To usher in a new age, Cubisk will have to unleash a Babylon Event, a rare occurrence with the potential to annihilate every last aspect of reality! 

Meet Dimitri, chained apprentice of The-Power-That-Be, in G.O.D.S. #1

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At the crossroads of science and magic, agents of opposing factions operate on the behest of the pantheon of abstract cosmic beings such as Eternity, Infinity, and the Living Tribunal. This October, they emerge from the shadows as their war erupts into the wider Marvel Universe in Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti’s G.O.D.S.!

The highly-anticipated series will introduce fans to an exciting new cast of characters, some of which readers have already met this summer in special bonus pages in select titles. From powerful mystics to daring scientists to chaos bringers, these characters exist outside the fight between good and evil and devote their time to upholding the very building blocks of creation. They may be new to readers but they’ve been scheming and clashing with each other for eons and are privy to startling truths your favorite heroes and villains wish they knew! This week, some of the major players of G.O.D.S. will be spotlighted in special teasers and concept art.

On Friday, fans got to know Wyn, Avatar of THE-POWERS-THAT-BE! Now, meet his reluctant apprentice, Dimitri! Although he follows Wyn, Dimitri’s true loyalties lie with the scientific ways of THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS. His partnership with Wyn represents the fragile alliance between the greater forces of the universe, but Dimitri is no mere pawn! In the pages of G.O.D.S., he’ll embark on his own quest to discover his startling history, one that will take him beyond the purview of both parties!

Meet Aiko Maki, the high-ranking leader of the Natural-Order-of-Things, in G.O.D.S. #1

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At the crossroads of science and magic, agents of opposing factions operate on the behest of the pantheon of abstract cosmic beings such as Eternity, Infinity, and the Living Tribunal. This October, they emerge from the shadows as their war erupts into the wider Marvel Universe in Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti’s G.O.D.S.!

The highly-anticipated series will introduce fans to an exciting new cast of characters, some of which readers have already met this summer in special bonus pages in select titles. From powerful mystics to daring scientists to chaos bringers, these characters exist outside the fight between good and evil and devote their time to upholding the very building blocks of creation. They may be new to readers but they’ve been scheming and clashing with each other for eons and are privy to startling truths your favorite heroes and villains wish they knew! This week, some of the major players of G.O.D.S. will be spotlighted in special teasers and concept art.

On Friday, fans got to know Wyn, Avatar of THE-POWERS-THAT-BE! Now, meet his opposition, and ex-wife, Aiko Maki! While Wyn deals with magic and the likes of Doctor Strange, Aiko honors the rules of science and calls Mister Fantastic and Black Panther colleagues.

Stay tuned for more G.O.D.S. character spotlights next week!

Learn the secrets behind Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti’s G.O.D.S. in this first look

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G.O.D.S., the mysterious new Marvel series launches on October 4. Teased all year long, G.O.D.S. will be a once-in-a-generation title where Hickman and Schiti completely redefine the Marvel Comics cosmology.

Over the last decade, Jonathan Hickman has masterfully transformed the worlds of the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, and the X-Men. Now he sets out on his most ambitious undertaking to date! Witness one of the industry’s most brilliant minds dramatically tear down Marvel’s pantheon of cosmic beings, only to build them back with fantastic new purpose! Joining him on this venture is the artist who’s brought Marvel’s biggest modern epics like Empyre and A.X.E.: Judgement Day to life, Valerio Schiti. With his bold character design work and breathtaking action sequences, Schiti is the perfect artist to capture the chaos, mystery, and beauty that exists at the crossroads of science and magic! Schiti is joined on color by Marte Gracia.

The highly anticipated saga will bring to light a eons-old conflict between THE-POWERS-THAT-BE and THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS, two opposite factions that serve the familiar omnipotent forces of the Marvel Universe such as Eternity, Infinity, and the Living Tribunal. Throughout the summer in special bonus pages in select titles, readers have been introduced to some of the major players that fight in this reality-shattering war including magic expert Wyn, scientist Aiko Maki, and more. From the Hellfire Gala to the streets of New York City, these agents are stepping out of the shadows to share forbidden knowledge with your favorite heroes—or in some cases, issue dire warnings! This dangerous game between the very building blocks of creation can no longer be played in secret, and you’re about to find out why!

Behold the moment G.O.D.S. overtakes the Marvel Universe in a brand-new trailer featuring never-before-seen artwork from the debut issue. Fans can also check out acclaimed artist Mateus Manhanini’s first four G.O.D.S. covers and read the cryptic clues that serve as Hickman’s official plot synopses for each issue:

G.O.D.S. #1

The infinite détente between THE-NATURAL-ORDER-OF-THINGS and THE-POWERS-THAT-BE nears an end. Old acquaintances are reunited during a Babylon Event. The Lion of Wolves throws the worst parties. Don’t look under the table. There’s a John Wilkes Booth penny on the ground.

G.O.D.S. #2

The Centum normally has twenty-five Primes, now only three remain. College isn’t worth the time or the money. There’s a hidden book in the hidden library that hides a hidden door. Cubisk Core is from Georgia, like that matters.

G.O.D.S. #3

Cassandra is cursed with knowing the future, but no one believes her. There are Black Swans in the bar. Oblivion wants to drink alone, but kids these days don’t respect authority figures. Most of the ingredients are illegal outside of Hell’s Kitchen.

G.O.D.S. #4

That guy in the Beekeeper suit is holding a thing that’s freaking everyone out. A Skinner box is bigger on the inside than the outside. The Avatar makes an enemy on the Axis of Power. If you save the universe and no one remembers, is it worth it? Maybe.

Stay tuned in the days ahead for more G.O.D.S. reveals including new interior artwork, more covers, character designs, and more. Take your first steps into this daring new side of the Marvel Universe by picking up G.O.D.S. #1 when it hits stands on October 5.

Shadowkat rises in X-Men #25

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Shadowcat X-Men #25

After the mutant massacre at the Hellfire Gala, what becomes of the X-Men? X-Men #25 by Gerry Duggan and Stefano Caselli sets out to answer that question and establish the new status quo for the X-Men line. The issue serves as a launch pad for the Fall Of X, showing us the dire straits the X-Men and their allies find themselves in. It’s not an easy task to set this all up but X-Men #25 succeeds at what it sets out to do and then some. 

The focus of the issue is Kate Pryde and her journey to becoming Shadowkat. The change is more than just a new codename and costume, it comes with a much darker shade of Kate Pryde than we’ve seen in this entire era. She’s more tense and distant, a far cry from the heart of the X-Men that was once Kitty Pryde. Luckily the change is a well-motivated one. In the most stunning scene of the issue, we perfectly see what causes such a drastic personality change. Special mention has to go to Peach Momoko’s fabulous design for Shadowkat, it calls back to earlier iterations of Kitty’s costume while giving her a fresh new look.

Outside of Shadowkat, the issue has excellent world-building. Duggan deftly shows the reader how bad it’s gotten for the Mutants. It all feels wonderfully believable. There is a scene towards the end of the issue which calls back to a contentious moment from earlier in the run, while I initially had issues with that aforementioned moment it’s absolutely paid off here in this issue when it comes back around in a dramatic fashion. 

Caselli’s art has never looked better than under the coloring of Marte Gracia. While I loved his art on X-Men Red and the dragon ball sensibility he brought to that book, I was never quite a fan of how his art looked here in the flagship title. However, this issue has won me back over. The other artist for X-Men Joshua Cassara is a hard act to follow up but here Caselli surpasses my wildest expectations. 

X-Men #25 had a difficult task ahead of it, being the first issue for the Fall Of X and thus a burden of setting much of the stage for the new era. However, Duggan and Caselli craft an issue worthy of the flagship title, steering the ship into dangerous new waters. If you have any interest in the X-Men’s next chapter then this is one to pick up

Story: Gerry Duggan Art: Stefano Caselli
Color: Marte Gracia Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller, Jay Bowen

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

X-Men: The Hellfire Gala 2023 delivers shocks we’ve seen before

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X-Men: Hellfire Gala 2023 #1

Warning Spoilers(?)

“Welcome to the X-Men. Hope you survive the experience.” That has been said quite a lot over the years. So much that it’s become a joke. It’s a joke based on a truth. The X-Men have a high body count among its members where massacres, genocide, mass killings, mass murder, are all regular events. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that this year’s X-Men: The Hellfire Gala treads that rather overused “shock” to the extreme.

Each years’ X-Men: The Hellfire Gala has been a flag planted in the ground. The one-shot not only introduces a new team of X-Men but also sets up the year to come. It has done that with over the top moments that take the X-Men on an even grander scale. One re-introduced them to the world. Another terraformed a planet. Now, in 2023 we get a new “mutant massacre.”

Written by Gerry Duggan, X-Men: The Hellfire Gala crumbles the excess and grand concepts that were started years ago in House of X/Powers of X. I had problems with those concepts. They took what were a minority group that any minority could see themselves in and instead had themselves declaring they’re the “new gods” with a sovereign nation, acting benevolent while manipulating history, and overall flirting with nationalism. The X-Men have been torn asunder, forced back to their roots, hated, hunted, and a fraction of their population.

And when I say fraction, I mean fraction. While what has happened is sure to be undone to some level in the future, the sprawling cast is now but a handful and that is part of the problem with the issue. We’ve seen this all before. Many times. So, the only way to go is bigger. WAY BIGGER. It’s been done before so much “mutant massacre” is used in the comic. That’s just a bit of the stilted and at times dodgy dialogue from Duggan.

The comic features an X-Men squad worth of artists (maybe two squads). Adam Kubert, Luciano Vecchio, Matteo Lolli, Russell Dauterman, Javier Pina, R.B. Silva, Joshua Cassara, Kris Anka, and Pepe Larraz all contribute. Rain Beredo, Ceci De La Cruz, Matthew Wilson, Erick Arciniega, and Marte Gracia all provide color. The art is pretty solid with some muddled moments and a few panels that don’t quite work (what’s up with Cyclops’ hair in the beginning). It delivers the shock the story sets up and visuals that almost have the impact intended. Maybe if I wasn’t so jaded in this direction, the art would feel grander. But the art in some ways feels reserved, eschewing too many multi page spreads for packed pages and panels.

X-Men: The Hellfire Gala is entertaining in its own ways, but its shock at this point has little emotional impact. It’s been there. Done that. X-Men: The Hellfire Gala sets up an intriguing new direction for the X-Men to come. The idea of Wilson Fisk aiding the X-Men is intriguing. Nightcrawler’s teased direction has potential. The direction for Ms. Marvel is far too clear (the comic isn’t subtle in its foreshadowing). It returns the X-Men to their roots shifting them away from the benevolent gods of the past few years. Like Orchis, the comic delivers a swift brutal attack on the status quo for the line, leaving it in shatters and leaving lots of potential.

Story: Gerry Duggan Art: Adam Kubert, Luciano Vecchio, Matteo Lolli, Russell Dauterman, Javier Pina, R.B. Silva, Joshua Cassara, Kris Anka, Pepe Larraz
Color: Rain Beredo, Ceci De La Cruz, Matthew Wilson, Erick Arciniega, Marte Gracia
Letterer: Virtual Calligraphy,Design: Tom Muller, Jay Bowen
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Prepare For The Fall Of X In X-Men #22

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X-Men #22

When the X-Men’s greatest foes assemble, will they be able to withstand the onslaught? For the last few issues, the X-Men were up in space fighting the Brood, a conflict that has driven a wedge between Jean Grey and Cyclops. In X-Men #22 by Gerry Duggan and Joshua Cassara, we change focus to a more terrestrial but no less deadly threat, the anti-Mutant organization Orchis. Orchis has it out for the X-Men and mutantkind as a whole. With the upcoming Fall Of X event, things aren’t looking good for the merry Mutants. 

Much of the issue concerns the rising threats to X-Men. Orchis is making moves that we will surely come to term in full during this year’s Hellfire Gala. Like in a game of Dominos Duggan is carefully lining each threat up while we are left to watch in horror and anticipation. It’s good tension-building and it’s interesting to see in which ways the various threats are manifesting. The meat of the issue is an engaging standoff between the X-Men and Orchis agents who are kidnapping Mutants. It’s a fun fight with a lot of good little character moments.

Duggan’s writing is great but what made me want to do this review was the art. Cassara’s work is gorgeous as always. The action is extremely well choreographed and sequenced. The lettering by Clayton Cowles gives a meaty impact to each hit or move. When Free Comic Book Day 2023: Avengers/X-Men (2023) #1 came out. I wrote on my personal Tumblr how I was struck by the creative team of Cassara and colorist Marte Gracia. Gracia is perhaps one of the best colorists working today and he brings his A-game here. The colors are vibrant and bring a unique kind of life to Cassara’s pencils. I think what I wrote in my Tumblr post still rings true so I’ll quote from it here. 

“It’s interesting to see Marte Gracia color Joshua Cassara. When I first learned Cassara would be taking on X-Men I wondered if his style would fit. I was mostly familiar with Cassara’s work in books like X-Force or X Lives of Wolverine by color artists like Guru-eFX or Frank Martin. Who both have dark, moody styles. However, Gracia brings his characteristic flair. There is an almost Saturday-morning sensibility to the art. Cassara’s thick bulky men are perfect for this bright action. It’s tapping into the same vein of design as John Romita Jr’s art. It’s also notable how VC’s Clayton Cowles’s lettering works concurrently with the art. Each punch alongside sound effects feels weighty and impactful. It’s a combination of creatives I’d like to see more of on X-Men”

X-Men #22 is an interesting issue in the lead-up to the Fall Of X. It sets up plot threads while also delivering a satisfying single-issue story within that larger picture. With great art, it’s certainly an issue you’ll want to pick up if you have any interest in the ongoing X-Men narrative.

Story: Gerry Duggan Art: Joshua Cassara
Color: Marte Gracia Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller w/ Jay Bowen
Story: 8.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

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