The BEST Marvel comics...THIS WEEK (4/29)
- May 5, 2015
- 5 min read
(special thanks to COMIX4FREE.COM for the above graphic!)
I have to be honest with you. I haven’t been a very avid reader of comics for the past decade.
AND, if you know me from my previous articles here, at the old site or at moviepilot.com, you know I’m an unrepentant old school fan boy! I am unabashedly a comic book geek from way back. I’m so comic book I was born in 1963! SO, for me to back off comics, there have to mitigating circumstances at play. And there were. It was a combination of financial and schedule. Not enough time or money to keep up. Thankfully, I am through that period of my life and back in the saddle again.
AND JUST IN TIME!!
I don’t think there’s a better time to be back, personally. Marvel and DC both are in a transitional season that, not only promises a great jumping on point in the next few months, but has them bringing back the golden oldies from the past decades. If you read my articles on DC’s Convergence, you have already witnessed firsthand my utter joy at the return of some of my old favorite. And I’m feeling the same way about the Secret Wars that are upon us! BUT before we get to all of that, we have the last few issues leading up to one of Marvel’s biggest moves in their history.
So,without any further ado, let me present THE BEST MARVEL COMICS!!! This week…
First of all, help me say goodbye to the first family of Marvel, the Fantastic Four. No matter how you feel about the first two movies or the movie that’s coming, there’s no getting around how important the FF are to Marvel Comics. Now, I feel partially responsible for the death of what was once touted as the WORLD’S GREATES COMIC! I just told you I’ve been out of the loop. I can’t tell you when the last time I picked up any of the family of FF books. SO, I am as much to blame as anyone. But, in the same breath, I have to believe it’s not the end. Obviously they will be in Secret Wars and will be still around in the aftermath. I will be, well, not the first to say, ‘the Fantastic Four’ will be back in some form or fashion.
BUT, in the meantime, let me say that the final issue (#645) was well worth a read. Once again, I may find myself pulling back issues. This issue had it all. Well, everything but Doctor Doom. But we all know he’s busy. We also know that any unfinished business Reed Richards has with Victor Von Doom or visaversa will be dealt with in the Secret Wars. But, despite that, we saw the whole family in action, Reed, Johnny, Sue and Ben; along with Valeria and even Franklin! We also got to see a few fan favorites from years ago like the Frightful Four, Sleepwalker, the Psycho man and the Salem Six. Guest stars like Scarlet Witch, Namor and Wyatt Wingfoot were good to see. It was a fitting end with the family together victorious in the aftermath. I look forward to, not only, their stories in Secret Wars, but the Fox movie too (Yep, I’m gonna see it)!
James Robinson and Leonard Kirk…thank you.
I have to say one of my favorites lately, when I got a chance to read it, was Spider-Man and the X-men. When I heard them announce it, I thought it was a gimmick that would fall flat. But it didn’t. Reading issue #6, I see why it is one concept that should stay around. Elliot Kalan captured Parker’s banter to perfection. I found myself laughing along with the sharp tongue web slinger like the good ole days. But he doesn’t stop there. What he did was give Parker the role of his life; the mentor, the teacher…the leader he was meant to be. And the class? What an odd menagerie! But it worked so well! Their growth and their adoration of Professor S (lol) made this a real pleasure to read. Having Sinister show up to be the butt of Spider-Man’s jokes was good. And the traiter that Logan had warned him of was found (gotta read it!). Failla and Saito gave us vivid action scenes that leaped off the page and drove us along with the story. I would really like to see this group work together again!
The real surprise to me was S.H.I.E.L.D. #5. I’m not a big fan of the show and haven’t read any of the other four issues. But this story drew me along. The visuals were great and the story was captivating. Every step of the way was riveting and left me wanting more. Will read the next edition gladly!!
Another world ending issue was Avengers #44. New Avengers #44 was good and got to see Doom at his best. BUT the showdown between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, to me, is the culmination of decades of two old allies holding their tongue. There was none of this here. And they didn’t give Cap back his youth and super powers. That’s right, old man cap suited up and took Tony mano a mano! You just have to see this to believe it. This is one of the things about Secret Wars and the buildup that I liked. They allowed a few creators to push the limits and give us stories that we wouldn’t normally get in the everyday fare. I’m hoping they learn from this and pull the stops out every once in a while! Cause this is history and a comic every Marvel fan should own!!
A few runner ups to mention.
Sam Wilson has come to his own as Captain America and has truly earned the stars and stripes. And I am glad to see them keep him at the helm of the Avengers!
Next is something I’m a bit bitter sweet about. INHUMANS.
Marvel seems determined to push them at us. For whatever reason, it seems imperative that we get used to the Inhuman’s new lot in life. And watch for them to be big in the Secret Wars too. It’s just a part of Marvel’s new paradigm. And they are saying, ‘get used to it’. Using their big guns like Spider-Man, the all-new Captain America and, even their young sensation, Kamala Khan, Ms. Marvel! You just can’t get around them. And for once, I didn’t mind it so much. The special was good and led into an interesting possibility in their first annual. And the old school comic nerd in me loved seeing them pull out an old Marvel hero in RED RAVEN. If you don’t know who that is…google it, True Believer. KNOW YOUR COMIC HISTORY!
But, let it be known that the Inhumans are pushed in front of us more than the new NOVA; another character that I haven’t warmed up to, but enjoyed reading issue #30.
Wasn’t too hot on the rest. But that may just be me!
Until next week, True Believer!
(On left; Both Spidey and the new Cap are being used to push the Inhumans hard going into SECRET WARS. Above and also to the left, the hightly popular, new Ms. Marvel used also!)
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