Here are today's Guest Reviews by John McCubbin from Imagination Centre for Marvel's; X-Men #5, New Avengers #10, Infinity #3, and Uncanny X-Men #12. 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 #5 - Battle of the Atom Chapter 3
BATTLE OF THE ATOM PART 3!
The X-Men and Future X-Men pursue young Scott and Jean.
Not all the X-Men agree that the All-New X-Men should be sent back.
The cracks in the new all-female X-Men cast start to show.
Preview
Tracking Cyclops and Jean
Battle of the Atom kicked of last week, and boy was it one brilliant start, and has made me even more excited about this series than I've already been. This series has also been extremely amazing itself, having four outstanding issues, with this also being the first part of Battle of the Atom not to be written by Brian Michael Bendis.
Plot
The X-Men along with the future X-Men head off in search of the younger Cyclops, and Jean Grey.
Review
This was a fantastic issue, and although not quite as good as the first two parts, a brilliant continuation of the story. Brian Wood has been doing an outstanding job on this series, as even with little time to get the series rolling prior to Battle of the Atom he still has managed to make this one of the best series out the now. I also loved how Wood has managed to step slightly away from this all female cast (it had to happen for this story), whilst still managing to show elements of the concept by having the women play a huge role in the issue. I also felt the issue as a whole had a lot of drama, and depth to it, and that the characteristics were spot on, with the developments being handled fantastically.
The art in this issue was also outstanding, and although I probably preferred Frank Cho, and Stuart Immonen's from the previous parts, David Lopez did an amazing job. I really loved the detail to Lopez' art as although the backgrounds were a bit plain at times, the characters looked amazing. I did however feel that their facial expressions were a little awkward from time to time, but that they still showed plenty of emotion. Lopez' layouts were also fantastic, adding a lot of depth, and tone to the issue, and are only slightly let down by the plain backgrounds. I did however also really enjoy the action sequences in this issue, and Lopez handled them perfectly, as although they weren't spectacular, they were exciting.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 3
Art, Colors & Inking - 4
Layout & Flow - 5
Story - 5
Verdict - 4.4 (9/10) - (Pre-Order X-Men Battle of the Atom HC) SAVE 20%
New Avengers #10 - The Thanos Seed
Inhuman secrets reveal the desires of Thanos.
The machinations of Maximus the Mad.
The battle for Earth continues...what an awful time for an incursion.
Preview
What Thanos Wants
So far Infinity has been a fantastic event, and one of the best that Marvel has produced in recent years, with the main tie-ins being just as interesting as the main event, as well as slightly better at times. In fact the last issue of this is the best issue that I feel the event has produced so far.
Plot
Black Bolt has informed the rest of the Illuminati members about Thanos' secret son and how they must find him. Also Thanos isn't overall happy with the news that his Cull Obsidian have brought him.
Review
This was a fantastic issue, and although not quite as good as the last still one of the better Infinity has produced so far. Jonathan Hickman has been producing some of his best work on this event, as juggling one story over three series' can't be easy, but Hickman manages to do it brilliantly. This issue continues from where Infinity #2 left off as although some people haven't liked the development being through three series, I personally feel that they work into each other perfectly. This issue itself was very dramatic, and exciting, with amazing dialogue and encounters, though it didn't have too much development which stopped it from being perfect.
The art in this issue was outstanding, and Mike Deodato, Jr. did a phenomenal job. The detail in his artwork is simply amazing, as everything looks so crisp and neat. I also loved the layout from Deodato Jr. in this issue, as well as the way he showed the characters emotions, as although it can be slightly stiff and awkward looking at times, for the majority of the issue it's amazing. I will however now move onto the small thing that bugged me, and that was how he drew Beast. The artwork itself was nice and brilliantly detailed, but I felt that he looked too much like a gorilla, also being way too big, dwarfing the rest of the Illuminati whilst sitting round a table. I did however prefer his artwork on Thanos this time round.
Read the rest of John McCubin's Review on Imagination Centre
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 3
Art, Colors & Inking - 4
Layout & Flow - 5
Story - 5
Verdict - 4.4 (9/10) - (Buy New Avengers #10) SAVE 10%
Infinity #3 - Kingdoms Fall
Prison break.
Stealing a worldkiller.
The fall of Attilan.
Preview
Battle and Defense
I have really been enjoying Infinity so far, and after a couple of poor events I'm happy that Marvel have finally gotten their act together. The story has progressed brilliant so far, and the Avengers and New Avengers issues work as brilliant tie-ins, being crucial to the story.
Plot
The Avengers prepare for battle against the Builders whilst Black Bolt prepares to be confronted by Thanos.
Review
This was a phenomenal issue, and my favourite of the event so far. Jonathan Hickman has been doing an amazing job with this event as a whole, but what stood out for me in this issue was that it took the recent events in Avengers and New Avengers and expanded on them in a very explosive, and exciting way. I also loved how Hickman managed to keep some mystery in the event, as although he's revealing something shocking every now and then, he seems to still have some stuff kept up his sleeve. I also felt that this issue was very dramatic, and suspenseful, also having some brilliant dialogue, and interactions. I also loved how it's taken the story a major step forward, whilst leaving some fuel in the tank for the second half.
The art on this issue was once again done by Jerome Opeña and Dustin Weaver. Both artists once again did a fantastic job, and although I probably still preferred Opeña's artwork slightly there isn't a huge lot between the two artists. The detail by both artists was simply outstanding, with each sequence being stunning, and especially the ones centered around the Avengers in space. The action in this issue was also handled perfectly between both artists, literally being very explosive, as well as exciting, adding a lot more drama, and tone to the issue. Justin Ponsor also once again did an outstanding job of coloring this issue, and it's his colors that help keep the artwork more consistent.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 3
Art, Colors & Inking - 4
Layout & Flow - 5
Story - 5
Verdict - 4.4 (9/10) - (Buy Infinity #3) SAVE 10%
Uncanny X-Men #12 - Battle of the Atom Chapter 4
BATTLE OF THE ATOM PART 4!
The Uncanny X-Men enter the crossover. Whose side will they be on?
Preview
Sanctuary?
Battle of the Atom has been the crossover that I was looking forward to for a long time, and so far it hasn't disappointed, as although it's still to hit top gear, it has been extremely fun, and entertaining, and I'm always excited between each instalment.
Plot
The younger Cyclops and Jean Grey have reached Utopia where they try and gain the help of older Cylcops' X-Men.
Review
This was yet another great addition to the Battle of the Atom storyline, tough also the worst so far. Brian Michael Bendis did a great job of continuing from where X-Men #5 left off, but the issue itself didn't do a great lot to help the stories development. It did however still have some brilliant sequences, with yet again more amazing dialogue from Bendis, which added a lot of drama, and excitement. It did however also lag at times, trying to do too much set-up with nothing really paying off in this issue. Bendis did however leave the issue with a brilliant cliffhanger, and I really hope that this is followed-up properly in Wolverine and the X-Men #36, and that the series finally reaches a higher gear.
Although I've never been a huge fan of Chris Bachalo's artwork, I have been enjoying it on this series. I did however really dislike it on this issue, as a lot of the art reminded me of why I disliked it in the first place. For starters his artwork doesn't really go well with any of the previous artists in this story, and although I already knew this, seeing it made it more obvious. I also hated Bachalo's artwork on the future X-Men, and especially the future Beast and Deadpool. I did however once again love his layouts and colors, as the layout adds a lot of depth and tone to the issue, whilst his colors also added more tone and depth, being the best thing about his artwork.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 3
Art, Colors & Inking - 4
Layout & Flow - 5
Story - 4
Verdict - 4 (8/10) - (Buy Uncanny X-Men #12) SAVE 10%
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