Planet of the Apes vs. Fantastic Four #3
(W) Josh Trujillo (A) Andrea Di Vito
(C) Erick Arciniega (L) Joe Caramagna
(CA) Greg Land, Rachelle Rosenberg (VCA) Cory Smith, Marcus To, Pete Woods, Scott Hepburn
A rebellion is afoot in Ape City… and the Fantastic Four have lost their powers. Enter: The Apetastic Four! Meanwhile, Dr. Doom and the Red Ghost’s plans begin to bear fruit. Will they conquer the Planet of the Apes… or destroy it?!
Imperial Guardians #2
(W) Dan Abnett (A) Marcelo Ferreira
(I) Jay Leisten (C) Rachelle Rosenberg (L) Ariana Maher
(CA) Sean Izaakse, Nolan Woodard (VCA) Chris Campana, Roberto Poggi and Israel Silva, Germán Peralta, Martín Cóccolo and Matthew Wilson, Stefano Caselli and Federico Blee
The Galactic Union has brought peace to the galaxy. But who will keep that peace? It’s another day and another dirty job for the IMPERIAL GUARDIANS as MAXIMUS of the Inhumans sends his black-ops team to handle a problem that nobody else wants to touch. Our heroes head for Xarth, a minor civilization with major ambitions. The Xarthians have got their hands on something that could make them major players on the galactic stage overnight — or bring down the Union ENTIRELY. And you know they’re not going to give it up without a fight…
LIGHTS, CAMERA, SUPER-HERO ACTION! Simon Williams has had his ups and down, from being manipulated into villainy by the Enchantress, to being one of the brightest stars in the Avengers! But just like Hollywood, no matter how low the lows, Simon keeps fighting the good fight! But what happens when the past finally catches up to him? Enter Randolph Chancellor: Simon’s former cellmate! A true love letter to L.A. as well as the history of Wonder Man. Wonder Man #1 delivers an interesting start that feels more like a detective whodunnit that your typical superhero comic.
At this point, I have no idea what the status is for Simon Williams/Wonder Man in the Marvel comic universe. He was a hero, he was a villain, he was a pacifist. But, thankfully with Wonder Man #1 you have to know none of that to enjoy it.
Writer Gerry Duggan seems to keep things rather simple and focused with the debut issue, keeping it to the main things that really make Simon Williams/Wonder Man stand out from all of the other heroes. Duggan dips into his past as a villain and the experiments done on him to give him power. Basically, he’s kind of a screw up, that’s never quite clicked. That’s not just being a superhero but also as an actor as well. He’s had some hits, he had his moment, but now he’s more of a fixer for the individuals that manage his career.
That gets him involved with an old friend who is having a sort of good streak for his career but also might have stolen a lot of money meant for a show. Wonder Man #1 feels like it echoes a recent real story of a producer who took a lot of money for a production and delivered nothing except goods for himself.
And that’s partially what makes Wonder Man #1 interesting. It has more to do with inside Hollywood baseball and a wink and nod but also has a feel that’s more like classic detective stories, down to the dame coming into the picture.
The art by Mark Buckingham is good. With ink by Aure Jimenez, color by Rachelle Rosenberg, and lettering by Joe Caramagna, the comic’s visuals are interesting, with a look that feels a bit like a reality show following Wonder Man. There’s a behind the scenes sort of vibe to it that’s interesting visually. That extends beyond the panel with pages whose sides look like a film reel. It all adds to the feel the comic is going for mixing superhero aesthetics with reality television. It works really well for the comic.
Wonder Man #1 is a solid start that isn’t what I expected at all. It has far more in common with detective stories than it does with modern superhero comics and is a great introduction to Simon Williams/Wonder Man. Well worth checking it out for something a little different.
Story: Gerry Duggan Art: Mark Buckingham
Ink: Aure Jimenez Color: Rachelle Rosenberg Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.0 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.85 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
This May, Marvel Comics honors the 20th anniversary of Civil War with Civil War: Unmasked, a five-issue limited series by writer Christos Gage, artist Edgar Salazar. The series delivers unseen stories set before, during and after the iconic event, including startling insights into the storyline’s more impactful moments. Each issue will have a connecting variant cover by artist Paulo Siqueira with colors by Rachelle Rosenberg that captures some of these historic moments including Spider-Man’s legendary unmasking to Captain America and Iron Man’s decisive final battle.
WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON NOW?
The original Civil War went on to become one of Marvel’s best-selling collections and the inspiration behind sequels, films, video games, and more. Civil War: Unmasked celebrates its legacy by recapturing the exciting spirit of the era and shedding light on its most historic developments. An anniversary series two decades in the making, the sagas will be packed with twists and surprises, including ones that will impact present-day storytelling.
Check out Siqueira’s first three connecting covers and preorder Civil War: Unmasked at your local comic shop today. Plus, be on the lookout for special Civil War Celebration Variant Covers on your favorite titles throughout May.
Gamora, Captain Marvel, Amadeus Cho, Darkhawk, Cosmic Ghost Rider! Five unlikely operatives recruited by Maximus of the Inhumans. Their mission? Protect the delicate balance of new Galactic Union by ANY means necessary…and failure is NOT an option. Expendable, deniable and disavowed, they are the Imperial Guardians. But can they do Maximus’ dirty work and keep their consciences clean? Why has a Kree Grand Admiral gone rogue and attacked Hala? What’s going on with Darkhawk’s mind? What deluded fool thought COSMIC GHOST RIDER was a team player? And, most importantly…what kind of game is Maximus REALLY playing? Imperial Guardians #1 doesn’t break any ground, but it does deliver an entertaining start.
Written by Dan Abnett, Imperial Guardians #1 brings together a rather motley crew to go on unofficial missions to help keep the peace. There’s a lot to like about the debut issue. The team’s members all bring something interesting to the table and something new when it comes to cosmic teams. It’s concept is one we’ve seen many times, taking X-Force in some ways, mixing it with the Avengers, and making it cosmic. Brought together by Maximus, the comic hits the beats you’d expect with little trust between the team’s leadership and Maximus and the initial threat being an extinction level threat. We get to know the dynamics while setting up a lot of what’s to come. It doesn’t deliver anything groundbreaking but it does deliver an entertaining read.
The art by Marcelo Ferreira is good. With ink by Jay Leisten, color by Rachelle Rosenberg, and lettering by Cory Petit, the comic looks nice and the action feels a bit chaotic, capturing the moments well. The characters are all recognizable and the choice to forgo team uniforms adds to the feel of the comic of a team that works together but doesn’t need to get along. This isn’t a tight unit like past Guardians of the Galaxy teams.
There’s some potential here as Imperial Guardians #1 feels like a black-ops cosmic adventure. The return of Abnett to the cosmic universe he helped shaped so much is welcomed and here’s hoping we get the sweeping epic he’s delivered so far. While the debut issue doesn’t really surprise, it does deliver a fun, somewhat safe, start that is a nice addition for the ever expanding cosmic portion of the Marvel universe.
Story: Dan Abnett Art: Marcelo Ferreira
Ink: Jay Leisten Color: Rachelle Rosenberg Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.0 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
Spider-Man: Meals to Astonish #1
(W) Paul Eschbach, Steve Orlando, Ken Niimura, Gustavo Duarte (A) E. J. Su, Roi Mercado, Ken Niimura, Gustavo Duarte
(C) Rachelle Rosenberg (L) Joe Sabino
(CA) Mike Mignola (VCA) Giuseppe Camuncoli, Peach Momoko
DINE INTO A BRAND-NEW ADVENTURE! Daily Bugle food critic Chet Chekowski and intrepid photographer Peter Parker are headed downtown for the opening of a brand-new, world-class restaurant! But when RHINO interrupts the festivities, it’s up to SPIDER-MAN and his friends to save the day — and their dinner!
ALSO: JEFF’S TABLE debuts! This issue also collects the T.E.S.T. KITCHEN infinity comic in print for the first time!
Captain America #7
(W) Chip Zdarsky (A) Delio Diaz, Frank Alpizar, Ben Harvey
(C) Romulo Fajardo Jr. (L) Joe Caramagna
(CA) Valerio Schiti and Frank Martin (VCA) Dan Jurgens, Brett Breeding and Rachelle Rosenberg, Tribute Games and Dotemu, Todd Nauck and Rachelle Rosenberg, Valerio Schiti, Clayton Crain
A CAPTAIN’S CRUSADE! Red Hulk’s fear of a second Doctor Doom rising from the ashes of Latveria spurs him into taking drastic action, just as Captain America discovers there are those within the war-torn country who see a path to a brighter future. Can Captain America bring their dream within reach, or are there too many forces stacked against him?
Generation X-23 #1
(W) Jody Houser (A) Jacopo Camagni
(C) Erick Arciniega (L) Ariana Maher
(CA) Partha Pratim Sarkar and Romulo Fajardo Jr. (VCA) Lee Garbett and Arthur Hesli, Jeehyung Lee, Marcus To and Rachelle Rosenberg, Elizabeth Torque and Federico Blee, Skottie Young
HER NAME IS WOLVERINE. BUT THE LEGEND OF X-23 GROWS.
LAURA KINNEY was brainwashed and trained from birth to be the ultimate assassin as X-23. She’s long put that life behind her… but it seems she hasn’t quite outrun it yet! When LAURA and GABBY encounter someone who seems to be their LONG-LOST FRIEND, the harrowing plot they uncover will turn their worlds upside down. The next generation of X-subjects is here, and they follow in the deadly footsteps of X-23! Featuring a host of new heroes and villains, Generation X-23 have a surprise in store for the WOLVERINE!
MOON KNIGHT: MISSING! Marc Spector has been many things – an Avenger, a Fist of Khonshu, a Karnak Cowboy and now… KIDNAPPED?! But by whom? And why?! Don’t they have any idea they’ve trapped MOON KNIGHT?! Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1 delivers the start of a new chapter for the character and it’s an intriguing one.
Writer Jed MacKay continues his journey of Marc Spector and Moon Knight with a new series that delivers one hell of a mystery. Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1 has Marc captured. We’re generally told by who but beyond wanting some information from him, we don’t really know why. It’s an issue of psychological torture as Marc’s tormentors overlook his rat in a maze and cage life. But, can psychological attacks break Moon Knight? That’s a big part of the discussion of the comic along with how he’d react to physical torture as well. While that might seem strange, it’s an excellent way to teach new readers about the character and the challenges he presents to villains.
Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1 is an interesting comic. It’s a first issue of a new chapter but it continues the weaving tale MacKay has concocted for the hero. While you don’t have to know what has happened before, the issue’s ending will probably hit harder if you do. I’ve read a smattering of what MacKay has released so far and it’s solid, but having not kept up with it, I can’t say if the main villains play into anything that has come before. But, the way the issue is presented, it doesn’t really matter if they have.
The art by Devmalya Pramanik is fantastic. With Rachelle Rosenberg and lettering by Cory Petit, Marc’s plight feels hectic and chaotic and you can feel the mental beat down he’s experiencing. It’s a comic that relies heavily on psychological torture an it feels like the way the pages are laid out, the panel shapes that are chosen, all play into the labyrinth that holds Moon Knight within.
Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1 kicks off an intriguing mystery. It’s one that’ll keep you guessing the specifics but delivers the general take on what you need to know. It’s a solid debut that’ll have readers coming back to find out more about this mystery and see the beatdown that’ll be coming in the second issue that’s teased at the end of the issue. The debut issue isn’t so much a reboot or starting point, but a new chapter in Moon Knight’s journey in the hand of writer Jed MacKay.
Story: Jed MacKay Art: Devmalya Pramanik
Color: Rachelle Rosenberg Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.35 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1
(W) Jed MacKay (A) Dev Pramanik
(C) Rachelle Rosenberg (CA) Erik M. Gist
MOON KNIGHT: MISSING! Marc Spector has been many things — an Avenger, a Fist of Khonshu, a Karnak Cowboy and now… KIDNAPPED?! But by whom? And why?! Don’t they have any idea they’ve trapped MOON KNIGHT?!
