Here are today's Guest Reviews by John McCubbin from Imagination Centre. Included are Marvel's; Iron Man #11, Guardians of the Galaxy #3, Wolverine #4. I have also added my rating after each review. If you have any questions about my rating or want to discuss anything just leave me a comment.
Iron Man #11 - The Secret Origin of Tony Stark, Part Two
"THE SECRET ORIGIN OF TONY STARK" CONTINUES!
The Price.
The Deal.
The Consequences.
Preview
How Tony was Born
This series has been far from brilliant, with a opening story that was that bad that it forced me to drop the series. I couldn't however miss this story though, even if it's poor, as being an Iron Man fan, I have to see what this secret origin is, and although the secret origin hasn't been brilliant so far, it does show promise.
Plot
Still not wanting to believe 451, Iron Man
(Tony Stark) has to help save the spaceship that they're on. Also 451 helps Howard, and Maria Stark save the unborn Tony.
Review
This was yet another mediocre issue, and although the story so far isn't terrible, it's still to do anything to amaze me, and is very average. After reading the prelude issue I had faith that this may be a good story, and as although it was far from brilliant itself, the prelude did show some promise, and grabbed my interest. I do however have to give Kieron Gillen props for doing something different, and risky, it's just that I so hoped that the story would be much better by this stage, and although it's only two issues in, it feels like it's going to continue to progress at a snails pace. Gillen did however do a better job of some of the dialogue in this issue, making it much more natural, and when necessary funny, whereas there have been times in the last couple of issues were it's felt slightly generic, and predictable. Like what's been the case with most Iron Man issues I've reviewed, when I have one positive thing to say about an issue, there's at least one negative thing to counteract that. This is no different, as despite the slow pace, there wasn't a great deal happening in this issue, and although Gillen tackled the key development stage of the story, he didn't spend a lot of time developing anything else, which was a bit disappointing, and made the issue less exciting, and dynamic.
The art in this issue was once again great, with Dale Eaglesham doing an excellent job. To be honest Eaglesham being the artist on this storyline has probably been the best thing, as although Greg Land's art wasn't terrible, it had quite a few flaws, whereas Eaglesham's is much more natural looking, and all overall much better.The detail in Eaglesham's art was once again brilliant, and everything from the character's to the background looked perfect. The thing about Eaglesham's art that I probably love the most is his layouts. I've been enjoying them over the last few issues, but I think that it's the familiarity that makes it look better in this issue, as it really suits the tone of the story, giving a great retro feel, whilst also being modern. I've also loved how he's drawn the character's, and especially Tony, and Howard, as although you can clearly tell that they're different character's, you can also tell that they're related, which is essential, and Eaglesham shows this perfectly. Now the only piece of artwork in this issue that I wasn't sure on was when Land's cover was repeated half way through the issue. Now I'm not saying it was a bad cover, it's just that I don't really like it when the exact same image is repeated later in the issue, especially when it's a different artist than the one that's doing the interiors. In saying that it did suit the sequence, and was different, but I'll talk more on that a bit later.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 2/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 4/5
Layout & Flow - 4/5
Story - 4/5
Verdict - 3.7 - (Buy Iron Man #11) SAVE 10%
Guardians of the Galaxy #3
THE BIGGEST NEW BOOK OF THE YEAR CONTINUES!
As the Guardians first story wraps up, the mysteries leading to the next great Marvel event become clearer.
Preview
I am Groot!
I was never a Guardians of the Galaxy fan prior to this series, and besides the fact the Guardians of the Galaxy movie is coming out next year, I still needed some persuation to try this series. It has however since became one of my favorite series, and I've loved learning about the character's, and look forward to seeing what's next for them.
Plot
The Guardians of the Galaxy, and Iron Man (Tony Stark) have been captured by J'son of Spartax's army, and placed as prisoners of war. They are however missing one member, Groot. Meanwhile J'son isn't happy with the Badoon leader, Y-Gaaar over the Badoon's attacking Earth.
Review
This was a phenomenal issue, and probably the best issue in the series. Now that statement was a very hard call, as the emotional point one issue was brilliant as well, but the excitement, and action in this issue just seemed to top that slightly. Brian Michael Bendis has been doing a great job of this series, as he has with his Marvel NOW! series in general, as although Age of Ultron has been extremely poor, All-New X-Men has been fantastic, and Uncanny X-Men has also had good feedback. He's also been doing well with other recent series', and projects, with Daredevil: End of Days being a tremendous series from start to finish, and Ultimate Comics Spider-Man coming up leaps and bounds quality wise. Bendis handled this issue brilliantly, showing that allow he may have upset fans with previous stories that he can be a good writer. It was however the dialogue, and mainly the brilliant witty conversation that I loved about this issue, which added another level of fun, making this series, which is already fun, even more so. The action was also handled perfectly, and although there could have been a little more of it, it was very entertaining, and explosive, and although I did expect some action, the way it started was unexpected, and truly amazing.
The artwork is also once again outstanding, with both Steve McNiven, and Sara Pichelli doing a tremendous job. Once again McNiven drew the sequences that featured the Guardians, and Pichelli drew the ones that featured J'son. Although Pichelli's art is amazing, it has to be McNiven's that appeals to me more, as his style is perfect for this series, and the detail he puts into the character, and especially Rocket Raccoon, who I assume will be the hardest to draw is fantastic. The way he lays out his artwork is also brilliant, adding yet more drama to this issue, as well as adding a bit of mood to it. He also draws some of the most exciting action sequences that I've ever seen, with them being both dramatic, and explosive. He also did an excellent job of drawing the enlarged Groot, and the way he handled the character's facial expressions to this, as well as other things was amazing, and I especially loved the innocents in Groot's eyes. Now I haven't forgotten about Pichelli's art, as although it doesn't feature as much as McNiven's, it too was amazing. The detail in her art is amazing, and I just love the way she draws the meeting room, and all the character's in it. She also does a great job with the character's expressions, or lack of them, and in general she dis a great job, and she will be a fitting replacement to McNiven, although I do hope he will eventually return as artist at some point.
Read the rest of John McCubin's Review on Imagination Centre
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 5/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 5/5
Layout & Flow - 5/5
Story - 5/5
Verdict - 5 - (Buy Guardians of the Galaxy #3) SAVE 10%
Wolverine #4 - Hunting Season, Part 4 of 4
The conclusion of Hunting Season!
New York City is under biological attack. Can Wolverine save it before it's too late?
Guest starring Nick Fury!
Preview
Ending or Beginning?
This series started very strong, and looked to be one of the best Wolverine series in a while. It did however drop in quality last issue, and I seriously hope it picks up soon, as it showed ton's of promise.
Plot
Wolverine, and Nick Fury Jr. find a plane with people who have been temporarily possessed. Wolverine then goes looking for answers, and finds a group of possessed people, with the mysterious gun on a plane.
Review
This issue was certainly an improvement over last issue, but the sudden ending, which itself felt more like a beginning than an ending let it down. This is a thing Marvel has been doing quite a bit lately, as both the first story of Thor: God of Thunder, and Savage Wolverine ended with unclear endings, and although Thor: God of Thunder has since gone onto continue that story in a big way, it does still disappoint to a certain extent, as you expect for a fantastic ending, and don't get an ending at all. Paul Cornell did however do some things right in this issue, as he stepped away from the silly club that was introduced, and made the series more serious again. He also added some fantastic action, and the dialogue between character's was also great, and really added a lot of drama to the story. There was however times where it felt a little confusing, and dull, with not everything being answered, and although I know that's probably Cornell's intention, it still let the issue down slightly. I do however hope that Cornell can pick himself back up with the next issue, and the start of a new story, as with the first couple of issues being good, it'd be nice for the series to return to that form.
The art however was on top form, and Alan Davis continues to produce the goods, and even though the story's been slightly disappointing, Davis' art has been far from that. I've always loved Davis art, but this is the best artwork that I've seen from him, and his style of art really suit Wolverine, and the type of action that comes along with him. The detail in Davis art is also another high point for him, as it's so perfect, and although he tries to make the character's fill the frame to help with background detail, he still does an excellent job of that on a larger scale as well. Another thing that Davis does well is action, and that is shown perfectly in this issue, with ton's of explosive, and aggressive action sequences. Davis also handles the facial expressions perfectly, and especially on Wolverine, as you can see when he's happy, as well as when he's angry, and both depictions stand out clearly, adding yet more drama to the issue. The layout of Davis art was also perfect, with Davis knowing when to fill the frame, and when to pull out and show more of the area perfectly, adding yet more drama, and although Cornell's script will probably help Davis, his experience still shines through.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 3/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 3/5
Layout & Flow - 3/5
Story - 2/5
Verdict - 2.6 - (Buy Wolverine #4) SAVE 10%
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