Welcome back and get ready for a quick turn-around for more reviews! I have lots more to go, so without further delay, here we go!
First up is…New Mutants #8 (Necrosha tie-in)
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Diogenes Neves
This issue focuses solely on the team vs. The Hellions. The other tie-in issues were spread out with X-Men scenes, New Mutants, and everyone else dealing with Selene’s mad plot. One really cool part of this issue was when Bobby and Dani ran right into their long dead ex-partner Feral! This was a good issue for action, but the only thing of note that happened was that we saw Magik really tear into the Hellions and kind of set the stage for the next chapter of this ongoing. Previews show the New Mutants and X-Men at the feet of Magik, and she has quite the evil look on her face. If you read and can recall the events in X-Infernus, she has some unfinished business in Limbo and with the X-Men. 3.5/5
Next up is…X-Men Legacy #231 (Necrosha tie-in)
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Mike Carey
Artist: Clay Mann (cover by Adi Granov)
If you read the previous part of this story, you know that the Young X-Man Blindfold was visited by Destiny (Mystique’s former lover/partner in crime). She delivered a cryptic, but also a very ominous message. She thinks something terrible is going to happen on Muir Island, and the X-Men take her there to investigate. The team of Colossus, Magneto, Psylocke, Rogue, Blindfold, Husk, and Trance are led by Nightcrawler to check out Blindfold’s story. On the way, Magneto tries to rekindle the flame with Rogue, but she tells him to beat it. After some searching they find nothing, but just as they are about to give up, someone makes his presence known, and believe me the X-Men are in big trouble now. I’m not going to spoil it, but long time X-fans will be shocked. 3.5/5
Thirdly we have…The New Avengers #60.
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Stuart Immonen
If you want action, this is the issue for you! We get to see the team figure out that Norman put some kind of device in Luke Cage’s heart. It takes the combined efforts of a miniaturized Pym and Strange to go in and remove it. The whole time they are doing this though, Norman and his team locate what they think is the signal and the secret location of the New Avengers. Little do they know that the team removed the device and used one of Pym’s pocket doors to plant it in one of Norman’s houses and blow it to bits. This issue also showed a confrontation between Norman and the Hood about recent events with Dr. Jonas Harrow. The Hood then basically told his old team of crooks that now they work for Osborn, and have to do anything he says or they get iced. Great action all around on this one. 4/5
Lastly, I have…Avengers The Initiative #31.
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Christos Gage
Artist: Rafa Sandoval (cover by David Yardin)
This title has slowed down since Secret Invasion, but has picked up a little bit of steam during Dark Reign. I think it’s going to play a big part in Siege, so I’ll make a decision whether or not I’m going to keep it after that. This issue was actually pretty good. It had a really interesting take on Taskmaster and his dilemma of whether or not to take a “promotion” from Norman, or stay as a trainer at Camp Hammer. It was cool to see Taskmaster act just like a regular guy for awhile, instead of trying to rule the world or something like that. He has a heart to heart with Constrictor that was very well written and showed a more human side to these “crooks,” for lack of a better term. It’s going to be interesting to see what transpires in Siege with Taskmaster and Norman’s recruits. 3/5
That’s all I’ve got for now, but more will be heading your way by the weekend. I still have a few more to go, so stay tuned and Happy New Year!
Billy Dunleavy
billy@comicattack.net
New Avengers has been great for a while now and I’m on the fence with the whole Necrosha storyline right now.
They use a pocket door? I guess I missed that part? I don’t remember anything like that. I was pretty confused as to how the bomb ended up at Norman’s house.
@Kris-that’s an assumption on my part. One minute they’re in one place, the next minute they’re in another. Without a teleporter that’s the only possible way IMO. lol
@Speech-I’m digging Necrosha but I’m also hoping for a BIG ending. New Avengers has been a solid read. Not always heavy on content but the action and comedy make up for that easy.
Just finished New Avengers 60 and I’ve got say that I totally agree with you about the book! I like the fact that it’s a different Avengers book and that these guys are coming into their own. I actually like Barton now and Spider-Man is just funny as hell at times. I’m thinking they either used a pocket door or one of Strange’s teleportation spells to get it to it’s location…which was frakkin’ great!
Nice write-ups here Billy!
I think New Mutants is getting better and better with each issue, and the villain in X-Men Legacy is going to cause some MAJOR problems for our merry mutants!