Absolute Green Lantern #17
(W) Al Ewing (A) Sid Kotian
NO ONE ESCAPES! Sinestro’s might has overwhelmed Jo Mullein and Tomar Re! Can the two anomalies overcome his brutal onslaught, or will they be lost to Oa and become one with Mu?!
On the farthest edges of the solar system, KNULL, GOD OF THE VOID, builds a brand-new army to destroy Earth…but HELA OF ASGARD might have gotten there first – as she makes planetfall with a legion of the galaxy’s deadliest symbiotes! Two of the most powerful evils in the galaxy are at war…and the SON OF VENOM is caught right in the middle! Queen in Black #1 continues the wild twists and turns of the Venom saga that began so many years ago, but bringing it to an even bigger level.
Written by Al Ewing, Queen in Black #1 kicks off this event spanning multiple mini-series and a wide cast of characters. For those all in on the story of Venom and the symbiotes, it’s the latest chapter and one that’ll interest those super fans. For those more casual readers, the debut issue features a few bumps that might leave them scratching their heads. But, overall, the debut issue is that big picture epic alien invasion type story that you don’t need to think too much to enjoy and is all about the action.
Knull and Hela are on a collision course and Earth is at the center of the battle which has the world’s heroes scrambling to figure out what the hell is going on. While they expect to be dealing with Knull, they find a very different individual on the Black Throne, which might be confusing for new readers who haven’t paid too much attention to parts of the Marvel Universe. Queen in Black #1 hinges on what’s going on in The Mortal Thor, where the world has forgotten about Thor and Asgard and its gods. So, while numerous heroes have actually battled her in the past, she’s a new individual to them creating more of an x-factor to the upcoming battle. That memory erasure is one of the things new readers might pause about which also includes a new hero fighting by the Avengers’ side. While Queen in Black #1 might be a first issue, it builds off of recent events more than just Knull vs. Hela.
But, all of that confusion makes it an interesting story in some ways. Ewing focuses on Earth’s heroes really not knowing what’s going on and preparing for the wrong villain. It helps add to the fear of what’s to come in some ways and chaos of events.
The art by Iban Coello and Zé Carlos is good with color by Guru-eFX and lettering by Clayton Cowles. The issue packs a lot in with a cast that feels like it creeps into the dozens, not to mention the invading armies. Add in the creation of a whole new world for Knull to rule and mold and it’s an issue that is filled with interesting imagery. But, even with all of those grand visuals, the issue also keeps things grounded at times as Earth’s heroes plan and discuss where things are at. Iron Man dealing with Spider-Man and his team stands out as reveals and dropped as trust is built.
Queen in Black #1 is an interesting debut that has a dose of summer popcorn fun. It relies a bit much on recent events around the Avengers and Thor, so might be confusing for some, but beyond that, it’s more about the grand visuals, battles, and villains strutting their stuff. It’s a fine start of the next chapter for Venom and that whole world that shakes things up just enough from what we’ve seen before.
Story: Al Ewing Art: Iban Coello, Zé Carlos
Color: Guru-eFX Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
The Mortal Thor #13
(W) Al Ewing (A) Juann Cabal
A FINAL TALE OF… ASGARD? Wreathed in sorrow, chained by his mother’s schemes, Magni accepted the weight of the throne of Asgard. As the forces of doom and death gathered about him, could he escape his destiny… or would his fall bring on a new Ragnarok? This is the story of the SON OF THOR… and the fate of a Golden Realm.
Queen in Black: Hela #1
(W) Al Ewing (A) Carlos Magno
THE QUEEN TAKES HER THRONE!
All the secrets of the Queen in Black — revealed! Why were Hela and Tyr in Midgard when the Rainbow Bridge fell? How did she cage Knull, God of the Void? And which Thor tried to stop her? Balder the Brave seeks the answers from Karnilla of the Norns… but will he live to tell anyone else?
Queen in Black: Defenders of Light and Dark #1
(W) Al Ewing, Tom Waltz (A) Zé Carlos
UNLEASH THE HEROES!
Beta Ray Bill is the only hero in Midgard who remembers Hela, the Goddess of Death… but does that mean he and his team can counter a Queen In Black? Meanwhile, Tony Stark’s all-new Black Metal Armor is the ultimate weapon against Knull, God of the Void… but does he have command of his own defense squad? This all leads to the mission that’ll decide the outcome of the Queen In Black saga!
Queen in Black #1
(W) Al Ewing (A) Iban Coello, Zé Carlos
HEL ON EARTH! On the farthest edges of the solar system, KNULL, GOD OF THE VOID, builds a brand-new army to destroy Earth… but HELA OF ASGARD might have gotten there first — as she makes planetfall with a legion of the galaxy’s deadliest symbiotes! Two of the most powerful evils in the galaxy are at war… and the SON OF VENOM is caught right in the middle!
Writer Al Ewing (IMMORTAL HULK, MORTAL THOR) and Iban Coello (IMPERIAL, FANTASTIC FOUR) — the team behind VENOM WAR — bring you a cosmic collision of evil versus evil with the good caught in the middle!
This August, the God of Thunder hits a milestone when Thor #800 comes to shelves. The anniversary issue continues the adventure that Al Ewing and Pasqual Ferry have been weaving in Mortal Thor, but also anniversary stories from writer Chris Condon and artist Jesse Lonergan, plus the return of fan-favorite Thor and Journey Into Mystery scribe Kieron Gillen.
At the end of Ewing’s Immortal Thor, the God of Thunder met his fate and died as a sacrifice to power a spell by his sibling Loki. This spell saw Thor forgotten by those who knew him and the rest of the Asgardians seemingly forever severed from the realm of Midgard. But the story continued in Mortal Thor, as a new hero rose on the streets of New York City, a hero with no powers, just a determination to right wrongs—with a hammer. Seeking a normal life but forced to step into the fray, Sigurd Jarlson found himself beset by threats from Thor’s past including the vicious Donald Blake, aka The Serpent, and Mr. Hyde. Sigurd’s encounters with these villains have led him closer to uncovering the mystery tying him to the missing Asgardian God of Thunder, with a pivotal moment set to take place in August’s issue of Mortal Thor.
The Serpent has trapped Sigurd Jarlson in the worst of all possible worlds for his greatest trial. Now, without even a weapon in his hand, he must prove himself worthy to enter the Realms of the Gods. Somewhere in the city, a man without even a hammer begins the ultimate quest…the quest for Thor!
We have an exclusive look at four pages from the main story by Al Ewing and Pasqual Ferry and one page from one of the issue’s anniversary backup stories by Chris Condon and Jesse Lonergan!
Check them out below and don’t miss Thor #800 when it comes to shelves on August 19.
The Mortal Thor #12
(W) Al Ewing (A) Jesús Saíz
SECRETS AND LIES! Sigurd Jarlson has love, friendship and a human soul. The man called Blake has none of these… but he has the one thing his enemy doesn’t. Donald Blake knows exactly who and what he is… and he’s ready to tell Sigurd everything. Somewhere in the city, a man with a hammer is learning the truth…
Challenges of Doom: Mr. Fantastic #1
(W) Al Ewing (A) Mike Henderson
DOCTOR DOOM CLASHES WITH THE MARVEL UNIVERSE!
An Epic series revealing pivotal confrontations between Doctor Doom and Marvel’s greatest heroes! Dive into the intense rivalry between Doom and Mr. Fantastic as young Victor Von Doom faces Reed Richards in a battle of minds. Discover the secrets that ignite their legendary feud and the fateful events leading to Doom’s transformation into the infamous super villain. This bimonthly series is packed with drama, suspense and the relentless pursuit of power — spotlighting the true challenges that test Doom’s genius and resolve! Al Ewing and Mike Henderson craft a tale of triumph and torment that will shed a whole new light on the world’s greatest super villain!
Absolute Green Lantern #16
(W) Al Ewing (A) Sid Kotian
ENTER: SINESTRO! Tomar Re and Jo Mullein find themselves face-to-face with the Blackstars at long last, but they are not prepared for the might of Sinestro!
