CATCHING UP WITH Marvel Entertainment PART 3

Marvel

IT IS RARE FOR ME TO SEE A MOVIE WHEN IT’S STILL IN THEATERS BUT THANKS TO Marvel Entertainment I WAS ABLE TO CATCH UP ON A FEW THAT I MISSED!

Recently the fine folks at Marvel Entertainment (their home page is here) had sent me a code to one of the movies I missed so that I could share my thoughts on it with you. This will be a regular series and Part 1 we talked about Black Widow. Part 2 discussed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. We have returned for Part 3 to share our thoughts on Eternals and straight to DVD release Spidey and his Amazing Friends!

Eternals

The Eternals have always been among the many characters I just can’t seem to enjoy in comics. Every story of theirs felt like a different world from the rest of the Marvel canon. The trailer for the film looked interesting but seemed like something was out of place because with as powerful as they were Thanos should not have been able to win his first battle with Earth. Thankfully the film explains why they weren’t involved and the reasoning actually makes sense. My two complaints regarding the film are both related to how the story is told, it skips around the timeline quite a bit and most of the story is more or less building up to the fight at the end but at a snails pace. Overall it was well told with amazing effects and a just as amazing cast but due to the pacing is not one for the whole family.

Spidey and his Amazing Friends

The series is made for younger viewers and follows Peter Parker, Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy as they help other heroes and each other deal with the likes of classic Spidey villains Rhino, Green Goblin and Doc Ock. The animation is adorable and the lessons it aims to teach are valuable for the younger audience. One example is when Spidey tries to teach Hulk about not letting his temper get the best of him and in the process they stop Rhino at the amusement park. This series is a must for any younger Spidey fans out there.

Have you had a chance to see this film or series from Marvel Entertainment? If not both can currently be seen in Disney+ as well as purchased from your favorite distributer (Eternals will release February 15th).

CATCHING UP WITH Marvel Entertainment PART 1

Marvel

IT IS RARE FOR ME TO SEE A MOVIE WHEN IT’S STILL IN THEATERS BUT THANKS TO Marvel Entertainment I WAS ABLE TO CATCH UP ON A FEW THAT I MISSED!

Recently the fine folks at Marvel Entertainment (their home page is here) had sent me ca code to of the movies I missed so that I could share my thoughts on it with you. This will be a regular series and starting with Part 1 we are discussing Black Widow!

Black Widow

When I first heard about this film I assumed it would take place long before Black Widow joined the Avengers but I was mistaken. It picks up right after Captain America: Civil War. Growing up in the American mid-west she was raised by Russian spies that stole some state secrets and returned with her to Russia where she was then placed in the Black Widow program. Fast forward over a decade she is on the run from the United States government due to her involvement in fighting against the Superhuman Registration Act. She receives a package from her “sister” that puts her on a path to destroy the resurrected Black Widow program.

With the quality of Marvel films over the last few years my expectations were high. Scarlet Johansson’s performance was once of her best and the film did not disappoint. It was easily one of the best films to come from Marvel yet.

Have you had a chance to see this film from Marvel Entertainment?

Wolverine #5, “BLOOD CLOCKS!”

Wolverine

Brothers and Sisters! There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, who intend to devour us in our sleep! Heed then, the warnings of Wolverine, chapter 5, verses 1-32!

This is the story as scribed by Benjamin Percy!
Given life on the page by Viktor Bogdanović!

The official plot:

“In the snowbound darkness of the north, Wolverine is the prisoner of Dracula. By forming an unlikely alliance, Logan fights back. Stakes, claws, tricked-out snowmobiles and wintry mayhem await you.”

Marvel Comics

Wolverine versus vampires…so yeah, Marvel’s description is on point. Meaning there’s not much of a plot…but it’s violent and pretty, so I bought it anyway.

Wolverine
That’s one helluva recruiting speech.

My Impressions:

  • Growl, snarl, snikt, stab! Nuff said!
  • Sorry Mr. Silvestri, I think Bogdanovic has elevated himself to my favorite Wolverine artist. There is no doubt that bold expressions and confident lines set a great tone for a book that’s basically “The Lost Boys” with a twist.
  • Crossover Dependency: Thankfully, none. Thus far the Wolverine title has kept itself mostly separate from the mega X-Men behemoth. Feel free to jump in any time.
Wolverine
Vampires! Come out to plaaaaaay!

Notable Appearances/Events:

  • Wolverine (Logan / James Howlett)
  • Omega Red (Arkady Gregorivich Rossovich)
  • Dracula (Vlad Tepes | Marvel)
  • Final page Fortnite crossover

Bottom Line: 3 Stars!

Pissed off Wolverine…you’ve got to love this! Good, bloody, wholesome violence. With vampires. There’s even a throwaway reason for them to have come after our favorite Canadian. Don’t you dare pretend you wanted some drama from this title!

Marauders #12, “The New Phase”

Marauders

My friends! We have two lessons before us to choose from today: an eye-for-an-eye, or turn-the-other-cheek! Witness our sister Kate Pryde’s dilemma in the book of Marauders, chapter 12, verses 1-32!

This is the word according to “I’d rather be writing Deadpool” Gerry Duggan!
Corroborated visually by “I also have a thing for Deadpool” Matteo Lolli!

The official plot:

“RED RECKONING! The Black King removed the Red Queen from the board…what move will the White Queen make?”

Marvel Comics

Does this solicitation feel like an afterthought to anyone else? It’s like they didn’t even try to make it sound interesting. (Full disclosure: It’s not)

Marauders
This feels wrong. They don’t throw a party for every resurrection…why Kate? It’s because she’s a Queen isn’t it? Figures!

My Impressions:

  • Marvel/Duggan spend 10 issues building on the fact that Kate is actively rejected by Krakoa. Turns out she just needed to be rebooted.
  • The whole issue is visually off-putting. I mean, it’s a party…why are some of these folks wearing their battle gear, while Kate is in a party dress?
  • Crossover Dependency: You’ll need a passing understanding of the overall X-men paradigm.
Marauders
Is it really “murder” if the victim can be resurrected at any time?

Notable Appearances/Events:

  • Black King (Sebastian Shaw)
  • Bishop (Lucas Bishop)
  • White Queen (Emma Frost)
  • Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner)
  • Storm (Ororo Munroe)
  • Katherine ‘Kitty’ Pryde
  • Magik (Illyana Rasputin)
  • Prestige (Rachael Grey)
  • Wolverine (Logan/James Howlett)

Bottom Line: 2 Stars!

I want to like Marauders. It started as an interesting concept of a team to swoop up all those folks that, for whatever reason, couldn’t use Krakoan gates. Basically an X-men search and rescue! Unfortunately this title just seems to wander around doing next to nothing. I believe we’ve had something like two missions in 10 issues? Kate and her crew deserve better.

New Mutants #12, “Monster Machine”

New Mutants

“I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am Mutant!” Heed the lessons from the book of New Mutants, chapter 12, verses 1-32!

This is the word according to the erratic Ed Brisson.
As envisioned by the forgettable Marco Failla.

The official plot:

“The human world never seems to tire of lashing out at Krakoa. The NEW MUTANTS have their ways of striking back.”

Marvel Comicsl

If you count a failed attempt to make people feel sad as striking back, yeah, this is the perfect description.

New Mutants
Glob! Use your words! How did he make you feel?

My Impressions:

  • Doxing Bad: Sorry Marvel, you haven’t built this subject up enough in the sub-plot arena for it to carry a full issue. Ultimately that means your message is lost.
  • Bad Judgement: If you’re going for an emotional issue…why would you use Glob? The guy has no face. No face means no facial expression!
  • Great artwork: Not so much. I really felt that this was cartooned out. I couldn’t help but think of some comic strip dad with a pencil behind his ear.
New Mutants
I wonder if they forgot that, by their own laws, mutants are not allowed to kill humans?

Notable Appearances/Events:

  • Anole (Victor Borkowski)
  • Glob Herman (Robert Herman)
  • Mirage (Danielle ‘Dani’ Moonstar)
  • Magik (Illyana Rasputin)
  • Trinary
  • Joseph Canning

Bottom Line: 1 Star!

New Mutants has struggled to find an identity since the House of X event, flip flopping between multiple line-ups, which detracts from its potential. As the youngest team, this title should be full of drama and angst. The attempts are there with relevant subject matter. Unfortunately, Marvel just is NOT pulling it off. The sad isn’t sad, the angry isn’t angry and that means the boring IS boring.

X-Factor #2, “Danse Macabre”

X-Factor

Brothers and Sisters! Behold Mojo and understand the perils of those that have walked too long in the world of video entertainment! Bear witness to the book of X-Factor, chapter 2, verses 1-32!

This is the word according to the “somewhat experienced” Leah Williams. As envisioned by “Mr Angry Birds” David Baldeon.

The official plot:

“DANCE OF DEATH! The team gets their first case – investigating the disappearance of a mutant dancer at a prestigious ballet academy…in the Mojoverse!”

Marvel Comics

Actually it’s the second case. The first was proving the death of teammate Aurora. Duh! Also, it’s more like Major League Ballet…there are corporate sponsors and everything.

X-Factor
A little Mojo Mayhem never hurt anyone!

My Impressions:

  • What is good: Quirky and fun…as Mojo world almost always is!
  • Another good thing: Character development. There is some. I mean, I never thought anyone could get me to not dislike Daken.
  • But how did it look?: Is there a westernized version of Anime? Cause this is a westernized version of Anime.
  • Crossover Dependency: None. Queue the celebration!
X-Factor
This is exactly what I imagine it’s like to fight a telekinetic telepath.

Notable Appearances/Events:

  • Northstar (Jean-Paul Beaubier)
  • Prodigy (David Alleyne)
  • Polaris (Lorna Dane)
  • Daken (Akihiro)
  • Prestige (Rachel Summers)
  • Eye-Boy (Trevor Hawkins)
  • Aurora (Jeanne-Marie Beaubier)

Bottom Line: 3 Stars!

With absolutely NONE of my favorite heroes, X-Factor managed to get me to care about it just a little bit. Enough that I’ll be back for the next couple rounds. Maybe it was just the Mojo world visit…but this one was fun and I love the premise of an X-team investigating instead of fighting. Even if it doesn’t end-up that way. [Editor’s Note: When this series launched I was hoping for a return to Peter David’s style of storytelling with X-Factor Investigations. This book is nowhere close to that even though it is an X-Factor Investigations story- misses on quality of the original but as Odiumar mentions the Mojo-world story line will be bringing me back at least for a few more issues.]

X-Men #11, “One war, one mutant”

X-men

Magneto reminds us all that we were given “every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” Behold the book of X-men, chapter 11, verses 1-32, where he proved it!

This is the gospel according to the almost, the X-master almighty, Jonathan Hickman. As envisioned by Leinil Francis Yu.

The official plot:

“THE TREES ARE KILLING THE CHILDREN!”

Marvel Comics

Exactly the opposite. I’m not sure how other books fared against the plant people from the Empyre event, but the mutants didn’t even have to break a sweat.

X-Men
Omega level mutants…damn they can kick some ass.

My Impressions:

  • What works: We get to see Magneto go killer mode.
  • What I could do without: The Empyre crossover. It’s a LAME story guys! Quit pushing it!
  • But how did it look?: There were two modes; too much shadow, too much dust. Overall, I can live with it.
  • Crossover Fatigue: So not only do I need to know what’s going on in the title spanning Empyre event, I also have to keep up with X-Men continuity? Mavel…please STOP! Keep the damned events and regular titles separate please. I promise that I will stop buying ALL of your X-books if you keep pushing me to buy “just one more.”
X-men
The results of a coordinated Magma, Iceman, Magneto attack…no more enemies.

Notable Appearances/Events:

  • Magneto (Erik Leshiningiereirer)
  • Iceman (Robert Drake)
  • Magma (Amara Juliana Olivians)
  • Magik (Ilyana Rasputin)
  • Exodus (Bennet Du Paris)
  • Summoner (Arakko)
  • Anole (Victor Borkowski)
  • Loa (Alain Ryan)
  • Rockslide (Santo Vaccarro)

Bottom Line: 4 Stars!

So…Let me sum this up for you. The X-Men (meaning all of the mutants on Krakoa) have been strategising their defenses. So when the time comes, don’t you dare disbelieve that Sinister and Cyclops can play nice together!