Age of Ultron #6
I’ve been shitting on Age of Ultron. In general, I think the first five issues have been too decompressed with too much of a focus on setting and mood, than moving the story forward. In general, a waste of $20. This week sees the release of Age of Ultron #6 and we finally get the issue I’ve been waiting for.
The plan of action was set last issue. A team is heading to the future to battle Ultron, a sliver of the story in this issue, while Wolverine decides upon his own path, to take out the man who created Ultron, Hank Pym. But, Wolverine picks up a partner in his trip.
The story is fast paced, with the full story in one issue. Wolverine has a mission and whether he goes through with it is concluded within these pages. Something the previous issues seriously lacked.
Throughout the issue, there’s a tense feeling, you have no idea where it’s going or how it’ll end. Debates about what one would do to save another, and the butterfly affect pepper the issue. It’s solid stuff, exactly what I’ve been waiting for.
The art too gets an upgrade. The silly mistakes are gone big improvement from the sloppy work that littered the last five issues.
I’ve been waiting for this quality to find its way to this major event.
The issue ends with one of the most controversial decisions in the history of Marvel comics… …and you’ll never believe who goes along with it!
Story: Brian Michael Bendis Art: Brandon Peterson and Carlos Pacheco
Story: 8 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Buy
Wolverine and the X-Men #27AU
A direct tie-in to the issue above (read the above one first), it follows Wolverine’s journey in the past. There’s lots of debates about the butterfly affect, a small action can roll into something big. This issue kind of goes out of the way to show that affect, almost a silly bit. We learn a bit more on the “origin” of an X-Men nemesis, which is the silly part, but also get a cool blend of Marvel’s past and present through the use of previous printed material.
I really liked that aspect of this issue, to me, that is what makes the issue a buy. In a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility, we see all the heroes they’re keeping tabs on, and in those panels, we see old panels from classic issues. It’s a really cool idea and great use of blending of the modern and past.
Overall, Matt Kindt brings the solid writing I expect from him. His work is usually pretty amazing and the debates the characters have with each other and by themselves is interesting and fleshes out the thought process of these characters.
My gripes are this. I mentioned Wolverine causes an “origin” in a way of a X-Men nemesis. That part was a bit silly to me and while it’s an attempt to emphasize the butterfly affect, it felt a bit forced. Then at the end of the issue, Wolverine’s partner makes a definitive statement that contradicts their attitude throughout most of Age of Ultron #6, it wasn’t consistent.
Still, it’s a tie-in that adds a bit about motivation and the thought process going on within these characters.
Story: Matt Kindt Art: Paco Medina
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy
