Marvel Now

Guardians of the Galaxy #3

/ / Comics

Guardians of the Galaxy #3After being arrested for stopping a Badoon warship from attacking Earth at the end of the last issue, the Guardians of the Galaxy and Iron Man are put into status awaiting trial. Thankfully for them, the group has one member of the team not accounted for. Sure, he may have a limited vocabulary, but that doesn’t stop Groot from making an impressive rescue and letting the Guardians go on the offensive.

Although I think Tony Stark is a bit too humorous in the face of danger here (he’s basically Robert Downey, Jr. with even better lines), the capture and escape of the team both work well. I can’t say the same for the entire enterprise by Star-Lord’s father which besides being doomed to failure (you really don’t want to try and make the Guardians your patsies) the logic behind his plan (which makes him look exactly like the conniving schemer he is) is shaky at best.

Groot and Rocket Racoon both get great moments here, and the teams smallest member racks up another impressive body count before Peter Quill basically decides to declare war on his father. Best of the week.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Guardians of the Galaxy #3 Read More »

Uncanny X-Men #6

/ / Comics

Uncanny X-Men #6When I saw the line-up of this new Uncanny X-Men title the one name included that gave me pause was Magik, and it was for the probability of stories exactly like this one. Although Uncanny X-Men #6 certainly isn’t great, it’s better than I expected.

Trapped in Limbo with the demonic version of Magik known as the Darkchilde, the X-Men fight back against Dormammu (with a little help from the Stepford Sisters who embolden the team to stop wetting themselves and take the fight to the demon). Although it’s certainly not my cup of tea, Brian Michael Bendis tells the story well and provides some humorous moments (such as several of the team’s members trying to quit on the spot).

Also intercut with this is Maria Hill‘s decision that she needs an inside man, or in this case woman, on Cyclops‘ team to have a better gauge at what exactly the mutant activist wants and how far he’s willing to go to achieve those ends. Her choice is a bit ridiculous, but certainly one I can appreciate. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Uncanny X-Men #6 Read More »

Nova #4

/ / Comics

Nova #4Sent into space to scout the fleet of Chitauri warships on their way to destroy the Earth, Nova bites off more than he can chew when the young hero decides to stage a preemptive attack on the fleet. Although things start off well, Sam soon finds himself at the mercy of the aliens and a former member of the Nova Squadron who blames Sam’s father for the loss of his eye and his current predicament.

There’s quite a bit of action here, and I like the character of Titus (seriously, what’s not to like about one-eyes space tigers?). However, Titus’ motivations seem a little shaky, as does his version of events concerning the actions of Sam’s father which led to him being forced to work for the Chitauri.

The story gets a little sloppy int the middle, and there’s no Rocket Raccoon, but the series continues to be fun and high-spirited, and promises more of Titus and a perhaps even a direct attack on Sam’s family in the next issue. That, along with some more great art by Ed McGuinness, is enough to make me come back next month for more. For fans.

[Marvel, $2.99]

Nova #4 Read More »

Uncanny X-Men #5

/ / Comics

Uncanny X-Men #5After their successful trip to the Jean Grey School School for Higher Learning, Cyclops, Magneto, and Emma Frost return to settle in their new recruits (Angel and the Stepford Sisters) and deal with Magik‘s bizarre episode in which she momentarily lost control of her powers and was dragged into Limbo by Dormammu who wants control of the realm. The only thing saves her is the reemergence of her Darkchilde persona.

For those unfamiliar with Magik and the source of her powers (and maybe even for those who know the character well) this new storyline seems like an odd shift in focus from the comic’s original arc. On the plus side the issue has some great character interactions including Cyclops doing his best to reassure Magik, and Angel’s on-the-nose comment about Magneto.

Magik’s inclusion on the team troubled me because I knew storylines like this were a very good possibility. Now with the entire team trapped in Limbo that’s where the comic seems headed for at least the next full issue. For fans.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Uncanny X-Men #5 Read More »

Nova #3

/ / Comics

Nova #3Surviving his first flight as Nova, Sam Alexander returns from the moon after getting a warning of impending danger from The Watcher to get chewed out by his mother for staying out to late and find Rocket Racoon and Gamora waiting for him. Needing Sam’s help, and keeping their promise to his father, Rocket and Gamora begin to train the new Nova and prepare him for what is to come (namely the fleet of Chitauri warships on their way to destroy the Earth).

I have to say I’m really enjoying this series as writer Jeph Loeb provides Sam with the right mix of joy and terror at the gift and heavy responsibility which has been laid at his feet. I still have mixed reaction to artist’s Ed McGuinness version of Rocket Raccoon, but the spirit of the character is intact.

The choice to bring the Chitauri into the proper Marvel Universe (they were originally a Marvel Ultimate creation) doesn’t bother me, although it is another sign of Marvel Studios directly influencing both the style and storylines of Marvel Comics. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Nova #3 Read More »