Welcome back to AllHipHop’s Sunday Comics, where we take a look at the week that was in comics. This week we look at Marvel and a couple indie comics from this week. If you like, go out and support your local comics shop. There’s some good product out this week.
Giantsize Astonishing X-MenJoss WhedonJohn CassidyMarvel Comics
After months of delays, the end of Whedon’s X-Opus is finally here.
It wraps up the series nicely, and looks absolutely beautiful, but it was just a little too late.
The extra pages are little more than a cover gallery, and it doesn’t deliver enough punch to justify the series troubled release schedule.
For those reading strictly trade paperbacks though, that won’t be an issue. Here’s hoping the next run goes smoothly.
Thor 9 J. Michael StraczynskiOlivier CoipelMarvel ComicsLike the previous eight issues, Thor 9 doesn’t shake the Marvel Universe to its very core.
No major guest appearance and, gasp, not a Skrull in sight.
It does provide solid reading material though.
Straczinsky has carved himself a nice little corner for himself and the Asgardians, and if he keeps writing them like this, they can stay there for as long as they want.
The story does lay foundations for future storylines, of course springing from Loki’s meddling and seemingly turning some gods against Thor.
While that’s run-off-the-mill for a Thor comic, it’s damn enjoyable too.
Ms. Marvel 27Brian ReedAndre CoelhoMarvel ComicsA Secret Invasion tie-in, but not one the crossover enthusiast should go wild over.
For those interested in Ms. Danvers, it’s slightly more interesting.
She of course doubts herself constantly, like she’s been doing for the last two years, but all of that finally leads to good things for Wonder Man.
The Skrulls aren’t all important here, as we know what’s going on with them through other series.
Reed has never exceeded expectations on this title, but Ms. Marvel fans shouldn’t worry about that.
Like the rest of the series, both art and writing are solid here.
Immortal Iron Fist 15Matt FractionKhari EvansMarvel ComicsThis issue would be a good place for a newcomer to the series to step in.
For longtime fans, it’s a long welcome breather, after the previous longer storyline.
While the 7 Cities of Heaven sotryline was almost and instant classic, there is certainly room to breathe.
Telling the story of a previous Iron fist, Fraction still manages to get the mood and feel of the regular series across.
David Aja’s sleek and precise art is missing, but Khari Evans is an adequate substitute for this type of flashback story.
Army of Darkness/XenaJohn LaymanMiguel MontenegroDynamite ComicsSo aptly titled “Why Not”, Army of Darkness/Xena has to be one of the strangest crossover series ever printed. There’s little story here, you’ll have to settle for Ash complaining about how stupid people from the past are. It’s funny the first few times, after that it’s just tiring. The art is good. Nothing mind blowing, but it does it’s job. Hopefully the next issue ramps up the humor, cause there’s little else that can be done with this series.
Jenna Jameson’s Shadow Hunter 3Christina ZMukesh SinghVirgin ComicsWhat started out okay, goes rapidly downhill here.
Any comicbook supposedly written by a p### star should be met with shifty eyes, but issue 0 of Shadow Hunter was actually not that bad.
Still, the story simply isn’t that interesting, and certainly not to justify the amount of text in this issue.
One full page of text, after one full page of art, and so forth.
The art is gorgeous, as expected from Singh.
Try Gamekeeper series I for his art and much better writing if you like this.
We’re not used to seeing Ms. Jameson doin much talking. Perhaps she’s overcompensating for that. Results are meh.
Hercules – The Thracian Wars 2Steve MooreAdmira WiyajaRadical Comics
Not to be confused with Greg Pak’s Incredible Hercules, over at Marvel Comics, The Thracian Wars takes a more serious look at the son of Zeus.
Story-wise, it’s very simple; Hercules goes out and fights, kills and maims.
That wouldn’t be so interesting, but it’s well written, is only at issue 2 and looks absolutely stunning, like a water painting come to life.
The only problem here is the layout of the panels, which make this book a pain to read.
Readers are forced to reread sections just to find out what the correct order is supposed to be.
Something so basic shouldn’t be a problem, but from a new publisher and new series, it can be forgiven, for now that is.
