Author Archives: Alfie Erin

Sins Of Sinister Dominion #1 Caps Off The Event With A Bang

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Sins of Sinister: Dominion

I’ve been unsure of my feelings toward the Sins of Sinister event. It has been an intriguing experiment in comic book storytelling. Three sets of issues focused on three distinct eras, year 10, year 100, and finally, year 1,000. Sins of Sinister: Dominion #1 by Kieron Gillen, Paco Medina, and Lucas Werneck is the final issue to this eleven-part saga, and by god what an issue it is. Whatever my opinions on the rest of the event, you have to hand it to the creative team for nailing this issue in every conceivable way possible

Sins of Sinister: Dominion #1 opens with the final battle for the Moria engine, Sinister’s creation which allows him to create save points in time that he can infinitely reset to. Functionally this means he can save scum as you would in an RPG, trying over and over again to get the result you want. Earlier in the event the engine was stolen. It’s the MacGuffin at the heart of the event. So the final battle begins with various players all vying for control of the engine for their sinister ends.  

Gillen crafts a fun issue, One that comes with a whole heap of startling and exciting revelations and developments. It’s a real page-turner that will keep the reader on their toes. You can feel the scale of what is being played here. There is some epic utilization of various powers. Sins of Sinister: Dominion #1 honestly has dizzying implications for the future of the X line. So often events can feel like big nothing burgers where everything goes back to a status quo with nothing changed. Not here, we get a lot of change which offers exciting new avenues for the next chapter of the X-Men’s story. Wrapping up an event is never an easy thing to do, but here Gillen succeeds by leaps and bounds.

I was a little apprehensive of Paco Medina’s art at first. To me, it didn’t quite fit the grim dark tone established for the one-thousandth year of the sinister era. However, upon further reading, it all clicked. Medina’s art has a manic energy, which perfectly fits this desperate scramble at the end of time. It reflects the desperation and panic of our leading characters. Medina also delivers on the big bombastic moments befit of a riff on Warhammer 40k. 

Similarly, everyone else is doing an exceptional job, Lucas Werneck’s work is amazing as ever and helps tie the event in further with his work on Immortal X-Men. The coloring by Bryan Valenza and lettering by VC’s Clayton Cowles is dynamic and perfectly fits the tone and story of the issue, helping bridge the gap between the two artists.

I’m blown away by this issue. It’s Gillen and co at their very best, truly delivering an exciting installment in this ongoing narrative that will send shockwaves throughout the line. Personally, I can’t wait to see where these creatives take the story next!

Story: Kieron Gillen Art: Paco Medina, Lucas Werneck
Color: Bryan Valenza Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller, Jay Bowen
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Invincible Iron Man #5 builds new threats for both Iron Man and Mutants

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Invincible Iron Man #5

I’ve written before on my personal Tumblr how Invincible Iron Man by Gerry Duggan and Juan Frigeri opened to a somewhat rocky start. However, the last couple of issues have only improved in quality. Invincible Iron Man #5 continues that trend with flying colors. Tony Stark has lost his company to his new mutant-hating nemesis, Feilong. With his back against the wall, he goes to the enemy of his enemy, asking for the aid of Krakoa’s one and only Emma Frost! 

The cover of Invincible Iron Man #5 prominently features Emma Frost, but that’s a bit misleading (as covers often are). Emma does feature in the issue, but her page time, while sweet, is brief. That’s not the only reason X fans might want to check out the issue though. Feilong debuted in Duggan’s X-Men series and has ties to the anti-mutant organization Orchis. The issue continues to build the threat of Feilong in interesting and compelling ways while also laying seeds for the upcoming X-Men Hellfire Gala 2023.

A complaint I had with the last issue was the fight between Tony and Feilong. The fight felt pretty one-sided. For a new threat, Feilong got rocked by Tony. It failed to set him up as a good physical threat to Tony. Luckily in this issue, it’s rectified. The action sets Feilong up as much more of a threat not only physically but in terms of mechanical power as well!

Frigeri’s art aided by colorist Bryan Valenza and letterer Joe Caramagna continues to shine when the action hits. One of the best parts of the art is how it depicts the mechanic structure of Stark technology. There is a tactile sense from the images on display that elevates the scenes. The art isn’t out of this world but it shines where it counts. 

Invincible Iron Man continues to walk a fine line of working as a standalone book while also being part of a larger story Duggan is telling across his books. The issue does a good job filling in readers on the relevant events from X-Men and it never feels like you need to have read the book, but it certainly improves both if you have.

Story: Gerry Duggan Art: Juan Frigeri
Color: Bryan Valenza Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

X-Force #39 ushers in a bright new age for the team

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X-Force #39

The fallout of the Beast’s crimes! A new X-force! And a new Wolverine? All this and more in X-Force #39! Benjamin Percy and Robert Gill bring their A-game in X-Force #39, the latest issue in Percy’s epic ushers in a new chapter for the titular X-Force.

X-Force #39 comes off the heels of the “Beast Agenda” arc of Wolverine. When Beast’s crimes finally catch up to him, he goes on the run, abandoning X-Force. The team is left to pick up the pieces and redefine what X-Force means in the wake of these events. X-Force #39 firmly expects you to have been keeping up with Wolverine, also by Percy. X-Force and Wolverine are two sides of the same coin. They are two books heavily intertwined in plot. I can’t recommend reading one without the other.

X-Force #39 is mostly set up, but Percy and Gill keep it lively and fun. Much of the issue is spent on the politicking of the governing body of Krakoa, The Quiet Council, over Beast’s vile machinations. It’s a surprising and engaging dialogue that gets to questioning the utility of his actions. Percy uses the Quiet Council as an analog to real-world governments and how they justify the crimes of agencies like the CIA.

Gill brings spectacular art aided by the always wonderful coloring of Guru-eFX and the lettering of VC’s Joe Caramagna. The art is bright and colorful but has an undeniable edge to it. That edge is on display when it comes time for Gill to deliver a gloriously gorey action sequence.

X-Force #39 is a great first chapter to a new age. It gives closure to Beast’s plot (for now!) while establishing the foundations for a bright new future. Overall, I’m excited to see where Percy and Gill take the book next!

Story: Benjamin Percy Art: Robert Gill
Color: Guru-eFX Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna Design:  Tom Muller w/ Jay Bowen
Story: 9.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy 

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

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