True Believers: Annihilation - Quasar #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time I'm bringing you some Hulk goodness as he's being homed at this friend's apartment while their friends feel unease and calls upon their friends. Let's dive in!

You kind of feel bad for Hulk after being 200 issues and trouble always seems to follow him. The guy can't catch a break! The story itself is ridden with subplots which ties everything together from the life of Bruce Banner/Hulk. It does play off like a soap drama with Betty Ross's marital woes coming into the fold. It's also the issue when Marvel Man changes his name to Quasar which feels like an outlier to the main story until it's strung together by Samson and General Thunderbolt.

The issue itself introduces the character of Trish to me which I believe that I've not come across with the years I've been reading Marvel. Oh boy, though when she was going through her story of having a supervillain father, losing an arm in an arranged car explosion and dabbling in the mystic arts, trouble is her middle name. Like girl get a new hobby! Love her character though despite her flaws as she offers softness and warmth which compliments the changing mood of the Hulk. 

When the Machine Man comes into play, I almost forgot how he almost looks like one of Scooby's villains and in fact, there is an unmasking to reveal that it's just a framing to get to come out to play. 

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Who doesn't want to see Hulk go after the Machine Man!

True Believers: Annihilation - Quasar #1 (originally printed as Incredible Hulk volume 1 #234)

Roger Stern - writer

Sal Buscema & Jack Abel - artists

John Constanza - letterer

Elaine Heinl - colourist

A.L. Milgrom - editor

Jim Shooter - editor-in-chief

Dollar Comics: Detective Comics #554 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time I'm bringing you some na-na-na-na-na-na-na Batman (and oh, Robin as well) and hear Black Canary cry. Let us dive in!

The story follows that there is some dodgy stuff going on at the pier where something is bring smuggled in or rather. Detective Sergeant Bullock steps on the scene and calls on the help of Batman and Robin. The story is intricately woven with you think you know where it is going vibe but it's not going there. The ending of this actually throws me off and creates more questions! 

The art compliments the story with his grainy grittiness quality to it. There was a very powerful moment with Batman and his assailant where it was just pure action underwater - no words - and it formed a really powerful moment in the issue.

Spoiler alert: it seems that a passport was created for someone to get them off Gotham to Naples but they already have prior deportation sentence to said country on the ship that Batman and Robin took down with Bullock. I'm guessing it was all a ruse to extend the stay in Gotham.

Bullock basically asks the question everyone's been thinking in that Robin is slightly on the young side. This is further emphasised earlier when Bruce when he was about to say that Robin is past his bedtime until he got interrupted. Jason is a young boy who wants to play video games but fights really dangerous crimes. This does play on the dynamics of Batman and Robin when they provide different perspectives on situations in the issue.

The second story is of Black Canary and Green Arrow. Black Canary's character is beautifully built and you could say that she fly the nest - wink wink. It's literally that as she lives through her mother's torment (psychic link) and trauma brought about by Pyra and she has to learn to grow from it. It so happens that Black Canary is a seamstress of fireproof material and goes hunting for Pyra. She also so happens to pick the same building that situates her own adversary Bonfire, the city's fire chief and of course, Green Arrow. She can add strong intuition on to her list of powers. 

She too has a very strong striking moment in that she lets out her Canary Cry, which is such a beautiful metaphor of her mother's scream has become a strength of power to grow from it. 

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Bruce and I are on a first-name basis.

Dollar Comics: Detective Comics #554 (originally printed as Detective Comics #554)

Batman: Port Passed

Doug Moench - writer

Klaus Janson - artist

Todd Klein - letterer

Len Wein - editor

The Black Canary and Green Arrow: Crazy from the Heat II: The Past is Prologue

Joey Cavalieri - story

Jerome Moore - pencils

Bruce Patterson - inks

Bob Lappan - letters

Shelley Eiber - colours

Len Wein editor

True Believers: X-Men - Jubilee #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! The X-women need a much-needed break from superheroing to week and untuck but it doesn't go accordingly to plan as they take on the M Squad. Hun, let's dive in!

Right off the bat, we're introduced to the illustrious Jubilee and girl, she wanna have fun and fun she is! The introduction is quite - ummm - explosive with her doing leaps and bounds with some sparkles thrown here and there to the haters when she was giving slaying in the mall. I feel like the X-Men really does need a fun character to add to the dynamic to shake things up (it's a shame where the character has been taken now). And that's where we shift to the X-Men where the X-women need that much-needed fun themselves and takes themselves to the very same mall. This is actually reminiscent of an episode I watched in the X-Men animated series where they just take a break (which doesn't always go accordingly to plan, of course. Can they ever really take a break?).

The other standout characters for me are Dazzler who single-handedly brings "girls, they wanna have fun" vibes and bringing Storm out of her shell with none other than a stripper! Get it, girl! Rogue's character is further explored which is fun to watch as the persona that she absorbed from Ms Marvel comes out to play which I've never seen before. I've seen Rogue pretty much lose it with the number of different powers she's absorbed but I've never seen her lose control to giving a different character her due. Storm makes an interesting comment which I find rings true is that for every action there is always a consequence. This is such a nice moral to have to the story.

The M Squad - OMG! Who called the discount Ghostbusters? It reminds me when Storm actually had a lit-ter-ral lightsaber battle with Calisto in the X-Men animated series. The Squad even comes with a mutant containment grid which uses what resembles photon beams. They're quite fun and of course there to give the issue more of that comedic respite. I wonder if they ever make another appearance in the Marvel continuum. 

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Girls, they wanna have fu-un!

True Believers: X-Men - Jubilee #1 (originally printed as Uncanny X-Men volume 1 #244)

Chris Claremond - writer

Marc Silvestri - penciler

Dan Green - inker

Glynis Oliver - colourist

Tom Orzechowski - letterer

Bob Harras - editor

Tom DeFalco - Mall manager

True Believers: Annihilation - Nova #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time I'm bringing you Nova origin realness as Richard Rider takes the mantle. Let's dive in!

I'm a fan of the Annihilation titles so Nova frequented those comics a lot but I never actually read his origins - I simply just know he exists. I love how he is like a teenage underdog which I find keeps the story relatable and grounded. I love that he will stand up to the bully and others stand up for him too which I feel like we need more in this world - to stand up to bullies. This in itself is aided in chapters (don't think I've seen this for quite some time!) in which it provides milestones for the rite of passage of Richard's journey.

I love how the doctor doesn't question Richard Rider's spasm magically levitates off the bed. I do love a maxi challenge but this is too a whole different level - wig! Not only that, but Richard also seems to have taken to his newfound powers lit-er-really to the next level by quickly grasping them within a few pages.

A character worth mentioning is Richard's beau Ginger (well, she hopes anyway) who is always there for him but forgets all that with a drop of her hat (girl, can't blame ya) after she believes that he stood her up (instead he is actually superhero-ing). You know it just shows her being human and that she isn't too polished herself which the same could be said for Richard as there is a very brief moment when his mind goes to evil and quickly turns back to good. 

I absolutely love how he questions stuff like having powers is the stuff of sci-fi when he also mentions that he lives in the same world as Spider-Man and Iron Man!

The villain of the story is Zorr who the original Nova lost his family to and he - spoiler alert - takes him down in the end so I'm guessing he just needed time to not only transfer their power to someone but to build a weapon in the meantime or it just doesn't make sense!

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Potential for a worldly adventure with cosmic proportions - count me in! Richard and I are on a first-name basis. 

True Believers: Annihilation - Nova #1 (originally printed as Nova volume 1 #1)

Marv Wolfman - concept/story/editing

John Buscema & Joe Sinnott - artists

Joe Rosen - letterer

Michele Wolfman - colourist

True Believers: Absolute Carnage - Separation Anxiety #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time I'm bringing some Venom realness in that he is being imprisoned and a breakout is underway from some beings he may be familiar with. Let's dive in!

To start off, the comic feels like an internal monologue for Eddie Brock's thoughts which I love as it's a departure from the loud brashness of comics that come off the slugfest of Spider-Man comics. The thoughts are captured in short text boxes providing I would say a clear passage for the real horrors of his ways. It's cathartic in that it shows his repentance and remorse which is a very welcome change from myself (he's always really shown a level of nobleness). I love the way that the internalised thoughts foreshadow his strengths in that he's been bound up despite being separated from his Symbiote (with good reason as we later find out).

The story propels forward movingly between the apparent strong connection between Eddie and his Symbiote which for the first time that I've seen be called the "other". This connection provides Eddie with strengths to break the shackles which were nice to see that the bond wasn't just established physically but I'm guessing psionically too? This adds layers of depth to both the characters of Eddie and the Symbiote that felt natural seeing that they fused together biologically. The story is aided by Spider-Man's appearance in which Eddie accepts his past actions and wishes to redeem and rectify it, which I found was an awwww moment. There's not an Eddie Brock story without him getting naked - hubba hubba!

There's always got to be that secondary character in the form of Mr Ellis who has to get the scoop for the papers. I've already dealt with Hobbs in a Thor storyline but another one! HIs plot point is to just become a hostage.

The art style is amazing with the movements of the Symbiotes form as they take down the facility holding Eddie captive. Love the shard panels which forms the unhinged nature of Eddie's conflict but changes, when it is called for, which was an excellent touch!

Subscibe? Ummm ya!

Eddie and I are on first-name basis now x

True Believers: Absolute Carnage - Separation Anxiety #1 (originally printed as Venom: Separation Anxiety #1)

Howard Mackie - writer

Ron Randall - penciler

Sam DeLaRosa - inker

Ken Lopez - letterer

Tom Smith - colourist

Danny Fingeroth  - editor 

True Believers: Absolute Carnage - Mania #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! Robertson, a person with so much to prove, investigates a strange going-on when someone calls out for help in a bunker in the middle of some antarctic. Let's dive in!

The issue is giving me The Thing-vibes as it's set in Antarctica with all-round horror elements. Not much is given away but of course, if you link the two with being a Venom comic, you can kind of guess that Symbiotes are involved. It's just a different type of alien infection you can say!

Some of the art doesn't feel right in a horror piece but it does pull it off in a strong manner especially when she finds a room where it's been totally ransacked. The expressions are very emotive and even the dog has strong emotions. I also love the extra element of the dogs barking as they sense a disturbance being more attuned to their surroundings. Saying that actually gives me the chills and there's one particular panel that just gives me the creeps. Furthermore, the question posed is of who (or what!) was truly calling out for her help at the base.

The characterisation of Robertson does feel refreshing, more so in a Marvel environment where I am so accustomed to characters, I immediately recognise. Robertson feels more grounded as she keeps it real with her emotions and finding in herself to do what's right. She characters actually been given multiple dimensions by the first half of the issue.

It ends with a true cliffhanger as the person she brings back starts convulsing. They've been infected by an alien - called it!

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There's a lot of suspense, underlying horror and humour in this issue mixed in with a likeable character in Robertson. I want to read more!

True Believers: Absolute Carnage - Mania #1 (originally printed as Venom volume 1 #1)
Daniel Way - writer
Francisco Herrera - penciler
Carlos Cuevas - inker
Studio F - colourist
Dave Sharpe - letterer
John Miesegaes - editor 
Axel Alonso - supervising editor
Marvel - publisher

True Believers: Iron Man 2020 - Albert & Elsie-Dee #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time it's bringing a comic that is supposedly in spirit with the new Iron Man 2020 comic. Don't see how though so let's dive in!

The comic follows Wolverine and Lady Deathstrike as they slug it out with each other. They let into their animalistic natures as they let out howls and cries. This is complemented by the grainy artwork which adds on to the overall feel and unhinged action. It's pretty interesting as Sabretooth in comics is there to make Wolverine's life miserable but Lady Vengeance is constantly on his case as she so firmly believes that Wolverine has stolen her father's work. Wolverine really does have some interesting oppositions!

When I was younger, I felt that the Wolverine stories I read in the UK's Collectors' Edition in Wolverine & Gambit/Wolverine and Deadpool were something I was in tune with, so out of obligation I would get it as I was getting all the other collectors' editions. But now just reading this issue, it actually feels poetic in a surreal way.

Interestingly, they seemed to have involved time travel as a plot tool in a form of a literal tornado - it's giving me there's no place like home vibes (it does send them home). What's changed in the past seems to change the future in real-time. So many questions and I'm here for it! Another subplot is that of Donald Pierce who has a nefarious plan brewing in the background which I find does not get in the way of the main story which in fact elevates it.

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Would love to see what Pierce has in store for Wolverine!

True Believers: Iron Man 2020 - Albert & Elsie-Dee No 1 (originally printed as Wolverine Volume 1 #37)
Larry Hama - script
Marc Silvestri - pencils
Dan Green - inks
Pat Brosseau
Glynis Oliver - colouring
Bob Harris - editor
Tom DeFalco - editor in chief

True Believers: X-Men - Bishop #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... a comic for your dollar! This time I'm bringing you Bishop's first appearance with the X-Men rushing to rescue Jean Grey. Let's dive in!

Interesting to see that the issue starts off with Prof X and Forge playing chess which harkens back to the days of Fox's X-Men film franchise. I can't seem to think of any other issues that X-Men issues that have chess has chess as their centrepiece which of course has become synonymous and a metaphor for the film franchise. Just a random thought (I'm pretty sure there must be an infinite number of issues). 

It's fascinating that - spoiler alert - Jean's mind inhabits Emma Frost's but is able to attune herself psychic-ly in a way that she is able to manifest abilities out of Emma Frost's remit (her telekinesis). I can't seem to think of any other comics whereby this has ever happened. It comes as a surprise to me as well as the villain of the comic Fitzroy. There must be an X-Men issue that explores the science of this and I need to know now!

The art style is excellently drawn and I LURVE some accentuated striking dramatic backgrounds especially when the powers are being used such as when Professor X uses Cerebro, Storm's psychic abilities or Fitzroy's assimilation powers. It's really wonderful to behold!

The writing of the characters adds great excitement seeing all the X-Men properly use their powers together like pieces of a puzzle. It's a great joy to read and it totally fits as well when Storm dishes out the tasks to everyone and Angel is already one step ahead in anticipating it. I mean if they work together for so long on many of a battlefront... it just makes sense! Moreover, there are additional minor characters that are quickly disposed of by Fitzroy really shows off his unhinged personality.

The story itself is superbly put together with the battle intensifying to the end of not fully knowing which side has the upper hand. But when Fitzroy has the final say and then bam... Bishop! 

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The way that Bishop is introduced with so little words which of course forms as his titular introduction to the X-Men world is very exciting! I'm sure at the time there was a lot of mystery surrounding what the character can do so I can only see what exciting things will come off the back of this issue. 

True Believers: X-Men - Bishop #1 (originally published as Uncanny X-Men #282)
Whilce Portacio - plotter & penciler
Art Thibert - inker
John Byrne - scripter
Dana Moreshead - colourist
Tom Orzechowski - letters
Bob Harras - editor
Tom DeFalco - chief

True Believers: Iron Man 2020 - Jocasta #1 (re:view)

Welcome to a whole new adventure with... another dollar for your comic! This time it's bringing Avengers realness. Ultron having made work on members of the Avengers wants a new bridge for himself by transferring Janet Van Dyne's consciousness in his newly created being. It's not gonna be that easy as the Avengers have something to say about that. Let us dive in!

I've actually previously read this I believe in the Panini's UK Collectors' Edition of Avengers United. The story jumps straight into the deep end with members of the Avengers already been dispatched by Ultron. The whole comic was really easy to follow without having to know the backstories or what went on before the issue but it was simple enough to jump into it (even after having reading this so many years ago).

Interestingly enough this helps with the plot and essentially the philosophy of the man behind the machine but it's turned on its head with Ultron taking the wheels on Hank. It's also interesting that Hank creates evil but in turn, Ultron creates goodness.

The standout characters would probably be Janet and Jocasta (who is actually not named in the issue) as they recoil and plead with Hank to stop with the process of transferring Janet to the metallic body. The art styling is amazing as it intensifies and mellows in different colour variations which seems synonymous in how far the transferral process is.

Of course, there would not be an Avengers entrance without the team busting through the walls in high fashion slayage. Bring on Black Panther, Thor, Iron Man and Wonder Man.

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It'll be interesting to see the dynamic between Hank is the rest of the team while he's been brainwashed. Take me to that next level!

True Believers: Iron Man 2020 - Jocasta No. 1 (Originally printed as Avengers #162)
James Shooter - writer
George Perez - artist
Pablo Marcos - inker
Denise Wohl - letters
Don Warfield - Colors
Archie Goodwin - editor