Hmmm. A new ongoing Thanos series. But it doesn’t mention anything about any Infinity whatsits. So, what’s the point?
Spiral Comics Blog
First Impression: M.A.S.K.: MOBILE ARMORED STRIKE KOMMAND #1
IDW’s REVOLUTION cross-over event created a Hasbro shared universe. This new ongoing series is a modern extension of the original toy line from 1985 that spawned a franchise of toys, cartoons, video games and comics. It could be cool. It could be a dud. “Launching from the events of REVOLUTION! The M.A.S.K. team streaks into a dangerous, unstable landscape of dark wars, high intrigue and non-stop action where they’ll encounter the nearly unstoppable threat of Miles Mayhem and his black ops squadron known as V.E.N.O.M. How will an untested Matt Trakker lead M.A.S.K. through a complex new world order where nothing is what it seems? Join writer Brandon Easton (Marvel’s Agent Carter), artist Tony Vargas (Rot and Ruin) and cover […]
First Impression: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1
The Iron Man mantle is the latest to get the ‘ole gender switcheroo, as Riri Williams, the MIT student who reverse engineered Stark’s armor and built a suit of her own, steps into Iron Man’s boots. Hijinks, I’m sure, will ensue. There’s been a bunch of fanfare surrounding this character. We’ll see if this “IRONHEART” can capture our own hearts. “From the violent streets of Chicago, a new armored hero rises! Clad in her very own Iron Man armor, Riri Williams is ready to show the Marvel Universe what she can do as the self-made hero of tomorrow. But is she ready for all the problems that come with stepping into Iron Man’s jet boots? Where’s a genius billionaire playboy […]
First Impression: OPTIMUS PRIME #1
I’ve got a real soft spot in my heart for the classic Transformers cartoon. The Transformer’s universe of today, however, has gotten so big and confusing, I’d have no idea how to get into any of IDW’s comic series. This one doesn’t appear to carry too much baggage. A clean start with a single focus on a classic character. “REVOLUTION is over-but the danger to Earth is just beginning. As OPTIMUS PRIME pulls Earth into the larger universe, he’s painted a target on Earth…and a new alien incursion begins when a corkscrew shaped craft drills into our world! The next evolution of TRANSFORMERS is here! OPTIMUS PRIME’s past on CYBERTRON haunts his present on Earth! Amazing artist Kei Zama (Scarlett […]
First Impression: AVENGERS #1
“Marvel NOW” is in full swing again this month with a whole host of new #1’s, including a new relaunch of AVENGERS. This is a perfect time to jump on. The line-up looks like: Captain America (Sam Wilson), Thor (Jane Foster), Vision, Wasp, Spider-Man (Peter Parker), and Hercules. The hook this relaunch appears to be overcoming dissention and distrust (following the events of Civil War II) among its roster in the face of evils that threaten the entire world. No problem. The tagline “KANG WAR ONE” implies we’ll see that time-travelling genius who may or may not still be splintered into various alternate versions of himself. I think there’s a cream for that. “The time has come! Their ranks shattered […]
Review: BLACK SCIENCE, VOL 1: HOW TO FALL FOREVER
One fascinating, deadly alternate reality after another, but no time to explore any in depth as the semi-contrived conditions of this team’s reality-hopping preclude anything but scrambling to get back to the reality-traversing device and fighting with each other. I don’t mind. I was a big fan of the TV show Sliders. This is a similar plot and equally entertaining. There’s something bigger going on, and as messy as it is already, I’m sure it’s going to get a whole lot messier. The art’s fine. Rick Remender is a top-notch storyteller.
Things from Journey to the Force Awakens: Shattered Empire You Didn’t Know You Needed To Know
Warning…This article contains spoilers for the comic book series, Journey to The Force Awakens: Shattered Empire. There were two characters at the Battle of Endor, in Return of The Jedi (ROTJ), who you didn’t meet. You have recently met their grown son, however: Poe Dameron. Sergeant Kes Dameron was a demolitions expert in Han’s Endor strike team, The Pathfinders; Lieutenant Shara Bey was an A-wing pilot, call sign Green Four, who nearly destroyed Luke’s shuttle as it abandoned the second Death Star, instead escorting it down to the moon. Published in the months leading up to The Force Awakens (TFA) December 2015 release, Journey to The Force Awakens: Shattered Empire is a 4-issue mini-series (shop) from Marvel Comics that serves […]
First Impression: KISS #1
KISS is a world-wide brand extending well beyond their musical albums. When we showed our young kids a picture of the rock group and told them we were going to see KISS in concert, they said, “Oh, I know them from Scooby-Doo!” They have a storied collection of comic adaptations spanning across disparate genres. Here, the writer says she is going more serious with a storyline focused on mythology, heroism and legend with themes inspired by the 1981 album Music from “The Elder”. I’m so ready for a sci-fantasy Kabuki theater! This issue is offered for pre-order in the latest Previews catalog. “KISS is back! Back to the FUTURE in this dark sci-fi adventure. In a world without sun and […]
First Impression: REBORN #1
Mark Millar has figured out some secret formula to comic writing. This latest will be no exception, I’m sure. This issue is offered for pre-order in the latest Previews catalog. “MARK MILLAR & GREG CAPULLO join forces to create the smash hit sci-fi / fantasy story of the year: REBORN. Where do you go when you die? Not heaven or hell; somewhere else. Somewhere you have to fight to survive. Somewhere the people from the past are waiting for you–the good and the bad.”
First Impression: MOONSHINE #1
This one is a good bet. Brian Azzarello writes a mob-era, noir-style, supernatural, crime thriller. That just begs to be adapted into a television show. “Set during Prohibition, and deep in the backwoods of Appalachia, MOONSHINE #1 tells the story of Lou Pirlo, a city-slick ‘torpedo’ sent from New York City to negotiate a deal with the best moonshiner in West Virginia, one Hiram Holt. What Lou doesn’t figure on is that Holt is just as cunning and ruthless as any NYC crime boss. Because not only will Holt do anything to protect his illicit booze operation, he’ll stop at nothing to protect a much darker family secret…a bloody, supernatural secret that must never see the light of day…or better […]
