Here are today's Guest Reviews by John McCubbin from Imagination Centre for Marvel's; X-Men #4, New Avengers #9, Uncanny Avengers #11, and Uncanny X-Men #11. 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.
X-Men #4
After the game-changing events of PRIMER, the women of the X-Men must contemplate the future of their makeshift team.
Are the X-women ready for the BATTLE OF THE ATOM that's right around the corner?
Meanwhile: Jubilee may still look like a kid, but she finds herself burdened with some very adult responsibilities. What kind of plans can a mutant vampire teen mom make for her own future?
Preview
A Trip to California
Although this series has only had a few issues it has grabbed my attention, becoming one of my favourite current series. The all female team has been very interesting, as although the first story had an abrupt ending, it was exciting, and I hope the series continue to get even better.
Plot
Wolverine joins Jubilee, and Shogo on a trip to California, whilst the other female X-Men try and help a falling air plane that has engine fire.
Review
This was an amazing issue, and although not quite as exciting as the previous issues still outstanding. Brian Wood has really surprised me with this series, as having only read his Ultimate Comics X-Men run, which I wasn't a huge fan of prior to this I wasn't expecting this to be any better, but it has. I've loved how Wood has managed to make this whole female roster work, as although he's added male characters to make it feel realistic, with Wolverine featuring in this issue, it has overall had the female feel to it. Wood also added a lot of emotion to this issue, as although not very exciting, it had brilliant dialogue, and interaction, being a great stand alone story prior to Battle of the Atom.
I was really upset when I noticed that Olivier Coipel would be leaving after last issue, but David Lopez is the perfect replacement, and I loved his artwork on this issue. The emotion that Lopez added in his art was simply amazing, with the way he draws the characters being outstanding, as although I felt Jubilee, and Rachel Grey had slightly weird noses at times, he did a great job besides that, and I especially loved how he drew Shogo, who was just hilarious. Lopez' layouts were also brilliant, being very dynamic, and dramatic, adding depth to the story. I also loved the inks from Cam Smith, and Norman Lee, as well as the colours from Cris Peter, which added vibrancy to the final artwork.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 5/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 5/5
Layout & Flow - 5/5
Story - 4/5
Verdict - 4.6 - (Buy X-Men #4) SAVE 10%
New Avengers #9 - The Cull Obsidian
"CULL OBSIDIAN"
The Illuminati on the front line as the Earth is invaded.
The House of Black Bolt cracks.
Earth falls.
Preview
The Search for the Infinity Gems Begins
Now I haven't been reviewing this series, but due to the Infinity event I have decided to review this series, as well as the Avengers throughout the Infinity event, which so far has not disappointed.
Plot
As the Avengers are preparing for an invasion Thanos sends members of his Black Order to find the sole remaining Infinity Gem.
Review
This was an amazing issue, and easily the best this series has produced so far. Much like Avengers #18 Jonathan Hickman has managed to continue from the events of Infinity #1 perfectly, though this time round he's also managed to have that work in with the series events as well. The fact that the Illuminati didn't have a huge role in Infinity #1 probably helped as well, but the way that this series, and the Avengers compliment each other the now is simply wonderful. Besides that Hickman managed to add a lot of tone, and drama to this issue, as well as suspense, and excitement. The dialogue was also outstanding, adding depth, as well as atmosphere.
The art in this issue was also outstanding, and Mike Deodato, Jr. did an amazing job. The detail in Deodato Jr.'s artwork was simply brilliant, as everything looked perfect. The layout was also fantastic, adding a lot of depth, and tone to the issue, being very dynamic as well. I also loved how Deodato Jr. drew all the characters, with the only small exception being Thanos, who didn't look as awe-inspiring as he should do. The action was also handled perfectly, and I loved how much detail was in the artwork, with the excitement, and explosiveness of the sequence really standing out. I also loved the backgrounds in this issue, as along with all the action it added to the depth of the issue, also adding atmosphere.
Read the rest of John McCubin's Review on Imagination Centre
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 3/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 4/5
Layout & Flow - 5/5
Story - 5/5
Verdict - 4.4 - (Pre-Order New Avengers Prem HC Vol. 2 Infinity) SAVE 20%
Uncanny Avengers #11
Ragnarök Now continues!
The dawn of the Celestial Executioner.
The death of all hope.
The rebirth of a fallen son.
Preview
The Scarlet Witch's Destiny
This has been one of the best series that Marvel is producing the now, as although it had a shaky start, it has became an amazing series. The series has also done a brilliant job of introducing the Apocalypse Twins, and developing their story.
Plot
The Apocalypse Twins, Uriel, and Eimin tell the Scarlet Witch about their plans whilst their Horsemen take on other members of the Avengers Unity Squad.
Review
This was a brilliant issue, and although not quite the same level of quality as the first five issues of this storyline, it was better than the last issue. Rick Remender really seems to know what he's doing with this story, as although the last issue shortened the pace a bit, this issue has set it straight back on track. It was however not without it's faults, as it was ever so slightly slow at the start of the issue, but still had plenty of suspense, and drama, soon picking the pace up. The dialogue in this issue was also fantastic, adding a lot of drama, and depth, as well as the odd bit of lightheartedness. Remender also handled the action perfectly, being very exciting, also having plenty of emotion in it.
The art in this issue was overall very good, but to be honest I was slightly disappointed with it. Daniel Acuña is an amazing artist, don't get me wrong, and he's been doing phenomenal work on this series, with it possibly being the best that he's ever produced. I did however feel that this issue had too many imperfections in it, as with all the other issues having plenty I wouldn't expect as many here. Acuña did however draw some fantastic action sequences, that had plenty of emotion, and excitement, also being very dynamic. I also loved Acuña's layouts, as they were once again amazing, adding plenty of depth to the issue, and that along with his inks, and colours make his art simply outstanding.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 3/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 3/5
Layout & Flow - 5/5
Story - 5/5
Verdict - 4.1 - (Buy Uncanny Avengers #11) SAVE 10%
Uncanny X-Men #11
See what life's like at the new Xavier School.
But what are they being trained for?
Preview
Attack of the Blockbuster Sentinel
This has been a very good series up till now, as although it's not been outstanding, it has been very enjoyable to read. I am however more focused on the upcoming Battle of the Atom crossover, and look forward to seeing the involvement this series will have.
Plot
Cyclops' X-Men take on a Blockbuster Sentinel in a brutal fight that could spell the end of these X-Men.
Review
This was a good issue, but nothing special, being slightly mediocre. Brian Michael Bendis did a decent job with this issue, but it felt a bit rushed, making way for the upcoming Battle of the Atom storyline, being nothing more than a filler, and an early set-up for future events. It was however still interesting, and I really enjoyed the mystery in this issue. There was also some brilliant monologue from Cyclops in this issue, and that with the dramatic dialogue was a nice addition, helping to give tone, and depth to the issue. I also loved how Bendis handled the characters reactions in this issue, as with all the action there needed to be this kind of emotional response.
I wasn't too sure on the art in this issue, as although I love Frazer Irving's art, with his art on this series being very good so far, there are times when I question whether his style suits this series, as although it suited the Magik centred story, also suiting last issue, I wasn't entirely sure if it suited this one. I did however like the detail in Irving's art, as although the faces looked slightly awkward at times, with Emma Frost's diamond form still not looking right, it was overall very good, and I loved the emotion from Cyclops. This issue would however also have artist in Kris Anka working on it, producing art during the S.H.I.E.L.D./Madripoor sequences. Anka's art was also good, but not as good as Irving's.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 3/5
Layout & Flow - 5/5
Story - 4/5
Verdict - 3.9 - (Buy Uncanny X-Men #11) SAVE 10%
Comments
Post a Comment