Inglorious X-Force #10
(W) Tim Seeley (A) Michael Sta. Maria
As X-Force is flung into the far future, they’re faced with a terrible possibility: Has their leader Cable been compromised? As the team questions everything about their mission, a new leader emerges — but is it too late to save X-Force from what they’ve already set in motion?
Doomquest #5
(W) Ryan North (A) Francesco Mobili
On his voyage through history, Doom has found his mind inside the body of many powerful men, but this is the first time he’s in the body of a powerful woman — and better yet, she just might be the most powerful woman on the planet. Things are looking up for Victor Von Doom… because he is now SUSAN STORM, the INVISIBLE GIRL. And to make matters worse, he’s at a moment in history both critical and pivotal… for GALACTUS has arrived on Earth. Can Doom keep Earth safe — and get what he wants? And what is to be done about RICHARDS? All this and more as Doom’s quest reaches new heights!
Avengers: Armageddon #5
(W) Chip Zdarsky (A) Ario Anindito, Delio Diaz, Frank Alpizar
DARKNESS BEFORE THE DAWN: THE FALL OF THE AVENGERS… The point of no return! After the cataclysmic events of AVENGERS: ARMAGEDDON #4, the world is torn asunder. Humanity turns against super heroes. And for David Colton, what is the price of all that great power? See where the pieces fall in preparation for Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto’s AVENGERS #1!
Amazing Spider-Man: Halloween Special #1
(W) Justina Ireland, Lee Gatlin, Ty Templeton (A) Mike Hawthorne, Lee Gatlin, Ty Templeton
HAPPY SPIDER-WEEN! Treat yourself with tricks in this epic Halloween adventure! The TRICK — Hallows’ Eve tries to pull off her biggest heist yet, and Spider-Man’s gotta stop her before she imperils the ENTIRE 616! The TREAT — a new costume for Spidey?!
PLUS, WE HAVE SOME SPIDEY SECRETS HIDDEN AWAY IN THIS ISSUE, TOO!
Jean Grey’s next chapter begins in flames.
Following the shocking events of DNX, Jean returns to the X-Men this November, headlining an all-new Jean Grey limited series by Jed MacKay and Rogê Antônio and kicking off a new era of MacKay’s run on X-Men. Fans can get their first look at Jean Grey #1 with all five covers and a never-before-seen lettered preview that will also be featured in the back of select new Marvel releases early next month.
The preview begins with a flashback to Jean’s early days with the X-Men as Professor X prepares his protégé for the extraordinary power she would one day wield. Then, it shifts to the present, as Jean makes her explosive return to Earth, with the full force of the Phoenix at her command. What she’ll find is a world dramatically changed and a team that needs her more than ever.
BURNING ON RE-ENTRY IN THE AFTERMATH OF DNX!
The Phoenix is headed to Earth. Jean Grey is aflame within. When she touches down, will she consume all she touches…or will she maintain control of the life-giving, life-taking power coursing through her?
Jean Grey #1 features covers by Joëlle Jones, Ito, Miguel Mercado, Nogi San, and Peach Momoko. It comes to shelves on November 25.
Captain Britain is one of Marvel’s most underrated heroes. He, she, or they is an exploration of British identity through the lens of the occult, Arthurian legends, various signs and symbols, the multiverse, and yes, superheroes. Depending on the creative team, these stories can be memorable or just palette swapped Captain America. Captain Britain 50th Anniversary Special attempts to celebrate the character, and two of their main civilian identities: Brian Braddock and Betsy Braddock. It succeeds as a showcase of visually powerful comics art, but for the most part, the scripts are retreads of Captain Britain lore or lack ending in the case of the final story in the book. However, Chris Claremont comes to life writing one of his earliest co-creations, and Alan Davis continues to be one of the great comics storytellers. Sadly, the modern day story from Dan Abnett and Kelsey Ramsay is this book’s weak link.
The Captain Britain 50th Anniversary Special kicks things off in a majorly old school way in “Braddock Business” courtesy of Cap’s co-creator Chris Claremont, artist Paul Davidson, and colorist Carlos Lopez. Set between the panels of a classic Captain Britain issue, the story pits Brian Braddock, and for the first time ever, his sister Betsy Braddock against the villainous Dr. Synne. This is mostly a beat ’em up story with Davidson evoking the power and glory of Alan Davis’ work while Lopez puts a digital sheen on the 1970s flat color palette. Synne is definitely one-dimensional, but this story succeeds by leaning on a Claremont trademark: focus on character’s interpersonal relationships. Betsy learns that Brian is Captain Britain, and that she has special abilities too leading to equal parts empowerment and anxiety on her part. She gets a classic Chris Claremont powerful woman moment too.
However, “Braddock Business” ends up commenting on the dark side of violence and revenge as Brian ends up in a physical confrontation with Dr. Synne that is more 1986 than 1976. Alan Moore is probably the most famous Captain Britain (Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant did edit the mag though.) writer and cut his teeth writing his stories before he deconstructed the superhero genre in Miracleman and Watchmen. So, Brian basically blacking out, and the fight against Synne having a more open-ended, less triumphant conclusion is in line with that kind of story. It’s cool to have superpowers, but there are also costs and responsibilities. Not everything is sunshine and roses, but Betsy and Brian still have a great sibling bond. Jamie, not so much ; he’s probably scamming folks on Kalshi right now.
“Chains of Command” fittingly pokes fun at the bureaucracy of the Captain Britain Corps and the labyrinthine web that is Merlyn, Saturnyne, and all the various players in their corner of the Marvel Universe. It’s also a showcase for Alan Davis ‘ considerable talents warping and wefting comics pages together that is matched by the bright, old school colors of Matt Hollingsworth. In the story, Brian Braddock is all action, especially when he fights his classic enemy The Fury while Archibald Payne just sits and pontificates with his big scepter. (He’s definitely compensating or something.) A lot of the story summarizes different elements of the convoluted Captain Britain Corps lore, but Davis’ sarcastic wit and powerful pencil get enough time to shine. If he was the artist or writer/artist on a Captain Britain mini or ongoing series, I would immediately put it on my hold list, especially with Hollingsworth’s colors accentuating the scenes with mystical energy.
The Captain Britain 50th Anniversary Special concludes with a story set in the present day starring the current Captain Britain, Betsy Braddock, from Dan Abnett, Kelsey Ramsay, and Brittany Peer. Unfortunately, “Another Day, An Otherworld” is the weak link is this otherwise above average collection of Captain Britain stories. The first two stories explored the themes of family and multiverse, and this one explores the cyclical nature of the omniverse and the Captain Britain Corps. However, it has no conclusion just a half-hearted mention that Opal Saturnyne is going to continue to be devious and scheme and then an advertising for an upcoming comic where we can read more about Betsy Braddock’s adventures. This is definitely a comic where the visuals supersede the text. Ramsay has a scratchy art style with heavy black inks that grounds the magical world of Captain Britain into something human, vulnerable, and even monstrous. She and Peer make sparks fly as Captain Britain fights her opponent, but the story is just a stalemate. As a reader of Excalibur and Betsy Braddock, “Another Day, An Otherworld” touched on some of the lore I knew from those books, but doesn’t continue Betsy’s story in any kind of meaningful way or mention her queerness.
Captain Britain 50th Anniversary Special may spark some feelings in folks who have read Captain Britain stories before whether that’s the early Chris Claremont/Herb Trimpe stuff or the Krakoa-era Tini Howard comics, but it won’t create any new fans of the Union Jack clad defenders of the multiverse. Any new Alan Davis interior art is always a blessing though.
Story: Chris Claremont, Alan Davis, Dan Abnett
Art: Paul Davidson, Alan Davis, Kelsey Ramsay
Colors: Carlos Lopez, Matt Hollingsworth, Brittany Peer
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Story: 6.7 Art: 8.2 Overall: 7.4 Recommendation: Read
Marvel Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
Marc Spector: Moon Knight #9
(W) Jed MacKay (A) Devmalya Pramanik
(C) Rachelle Rosenberg (L) Cory Petit
(CA) José Luis Soares Pinto, Jonas Trindade, Rachelle Rosenberg (VCA) Maria Wolf and Mike Spicer, Ario Anindito
THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF MONSTERS! Moon Knight made a bold and terrible gamble to try to save his allies, and the cost is about to come due. Can the newly forged MIDNIGHT SONS survive the fallout?
Jeff the Land Shark: Superstar #4
(W) Kelly Thompson (A) Tokitokoro
(C) Jim Campbell (L) Joe Caramagna
(CA) Gurihiru (VCA) Jhony Caballero
ENTER M.O.D.O.K. TO CREATE… A NEW JEFF?! MOJO pressures M.O.D.O.K. (boy, that’s a lot of M .O.s!) to create an ALL-NEW, ALL-IMPROVED Jeff who will heed Mojo’s every command! But Jeff and the Jeff Coast Avengers stage a HEIST to rescue Ken… Will they succeed?! Or will it all go sideways? And how do you escape Mojoworld?!
ESCAPE…INTO DANGER! LOGAN steps from the X-MEN…but awaiting under the glitz and glamour of MIAMI is a simmering criminal underworld, and a crucible that will bring out the warrior, the mutant–the Wolverine! Writer-Artist DAN PANOSIAN takes the reins of Wolverine, steering him into an all-new, can’t miss, auteur-driven adventure, where “paradise” ain’t exactly what you’d expect. Wolverine: Paradise #1 is an entertaining start that feels a little retro in a way like it’d fit in classic Marvel Comics Presents or the first ongoing volume of Wolverine.
Dan Panosian handles the writing and the art for Wolverine: Paradise #1 and the first issue is overall ok. Wolverine decides to take a break and head to Miami where of course trouble is going to be found. In this case, it has something to do with the mob and Dazzler. But, Panosian throws in a little something else with a mysterious character who’s following Logan on his trip.
The issue is one where you generally need to suspend disbelief a few times to enjoy it. There’s a mysterious person who knows Logan but Logan doesn’t know. It’s odd the Wolverine to just walk away from that. Then, there’s the random meeting with Dazzler and in such a large city, it’s just a little too odd for them to meet, especially when Dazzler could use Wolverine’s help (why didn’t she call anyone?). But, just go with the flow as the story, so far, feels like one of the stories you’d find in an arc of Marvel Comics Presents or in-between major arcs of Wolverine. Entertaining but not earthshattering.
Panosian brings his distinctive style to the comic which feels like a bit of a 70s vibe. Wolverine feels like he’d do well in a brawl while most characters feel like caricatures in a way. But, that’s part of the point. The action overall is good and there’s some small details that add some humor and fun to the comic. Overall, the art style gives the comic a sort of rough feel visually that makes it have a tone that feels more like the action B-movies of the 70s.
Wolverine: Paradise #1 is a fun issue you can just pick up and enjoy. It doesn’t feel like the miniseries is going to deliver anything that’ll really shake things up or deliver anything super new and different. Instead, it feels like it’s a simple, entertaining story of Wolverine beating the crap out of gangsters. And, there’s times that’s all you need out of a comic.
Story: Dan Panosian Art: Dan Panosian
Color: Dan Panosian Letters: Cory Petit
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read
Marvel Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
While 3K’s counterstroke has shocked the X-Men, Philadelphia is no less in the shadow of disaster as the Chairman’s spoilsport plan comes into effect! The X-Men must look to the least of their number, while the Fantastic Four fight against time to deliver the data that can save the day! DNX #3 ups the action as the X-Men must deal with multiple disasters.
I’ve generally enjoyed the DNX storyline as it feels lit gets a bit back to basics for the X-Men. The X-Men are protecting everyone while the opposing side wants to expand the mutant nation to rule over humans. With the Fantastic Four mixed in, the event has been an interesting one that while short, it does a good job of wrapping up recent storylines while delivering a big bombastic battle. DNX #3 is a good issue when it comes to that battle with it clearly over for the Chairman and the X-Virus set loose. That’s not all, a giant ship is bearing down on Philadelphia threatening a second disaster.
Written by Jed MacKay, the comic is interesting and feels like a nice chapter of the overall story, but that’s the thing, it’s a chapter. This is an event taking place in the DNX miniseries as well as X-Men and Fantastic Four. This issue shows, if you haven’t been reading those other series, you’re missing out and missing key information. This is one where the main series can’t be read and appreciate on its own, it relies on its tie-ins for the main story, not ancillary information. It also relies heavily on readers having kept up with the X-Men, making it an interesting one for Fantastic Four readers not interested. A key character in this issue has been around since the beginning of the latest X-Men volume and if you haven’t been reading that series, the moments don’t hit in any way special. Still, there’s something fun about the issue and series as a whole.
The art by Federico Vicentini captures the chaos. With color by David Curiel and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic swings big in visuals and nails the frantic nature of what’s going on. The characters look great and it has a lot of visually dramatic moments. But, with a virus loose and a city panicking, the comic doesn’t quite capture any of that well. It all feels like after thoughts for the bigger action going on.
DNX #3 is one with big moments for a few characters. But, their moments flounder without knowledge from other comics. It’s an event that’s not so much contained but playing off of multiple years worth of storytelling and where each issue is key. With all of that, DNX #3 comes off as a sliver of a greater picture instead of big moments to be appreciated on their own.
Story: Jed MacKay Art: Federico Vicentini
Color: David Curiel Letters: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
