Heroes for Hire: Fear Itself TPB

Oh man, why are Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning out of Marvel? After totally recreating and revitalizing Marvel cosmic, they were doing a great job on Heroes for Hire, too. When was the last time Silver Sable, Gargoyle, or Paladin got this much love. Heck, I even liked Elektra as she was written here! DnA have a great, funny take on Spider-Man too, it’s too bad his appearance couldn’t raise sales enough to keep this book from being cancelled. 

Far and away, the breakout character for me in Heroes for Hire is Misty Knight. I have read a lot of her adventures, at this point, but I’ve never liked the character as much as I do in this collection. She’s funny, smart, and when things get tough, she can go kick butt, too. She even gets Spidey’s nerd references! 

DnA clearly have a lot of affection for Paladin. The professional hero is a bit of a sad sack through this entire trade, but that does make for compelling comics. It’s really neat seeing the constantly self-doubting Spider-Man held up as the paragon of heroics, while Paladin is unable to even compete in his shadow. 

And who are all these heroes fighting? In the core story, it’s Batroc the Leaper. One of my all-time favorites. And he gets the respect he deserves in this trade. While everyone makes fun of him, Batroc kicks the crap out of just about everyone he goes up against. Tying this B-level villain to the ongoing crimes from earlier in this series raises the stakes nicely. 

There are a few issues of Fear Itself plugged in the middle, but a different artist and the forced nature of the story forces the collection off target. The book can’t help but lose focus when it is dealing with random destruction and new villains rather than the long-simmering subplots that open and close the book. 

The art in this collection is a bit of a mixed bag. That hurts the overall consistency too. Brad Walker’s art is fantastic. His Spidey has a bit of a big head, but Silver Sable, Paladin, Misty Knight, Moon Knight, they all look great. Walker gets to draw a real A-lister at the conclusion, too. I’d love to see him tackle that character more too. Tim Seeley helps out with this story, and his art fits pretty seamlessly into Walker’s. They work fine together.

Kyle Hotz draws the Fear Itself issues. Hotz’s work is a lot more cartoony than anything else in this collection. It is a bit jarring seeing the tonal shift in the artwork. The distraction is by the subject matter. Hotz is drawing mass destruction and chaos. Hotz draws a lot of horror, and he’s good at it. 

I’ll miss this book!

Good

Thunderbolts: Fear Itself TPB

Goodness, do I love Jeff Parker’s Thunderbolts.

I accidentally missed this trade, and I actually ran out to the comic store to pick it up, that’s how excited I was to see how the T’bolts got time lost!

Fear Itself was a bit unfocused. The core title had a bunch of weird themes and villains that never fit quite right together. But by keeping the focus on the T’bolts and their world, Parker doesn’t have that problem. The book opens with the Fear Hammer crashing into the Raft, the super-max prison the Thunderbolts call home. Juggernaut goes crazy and starts smashing stuff, and the walls come tumbling down. That leaves the large Thunderbolts cast dispersed all over the prison, trying to decide how they’ll handle this chance at freedom.

The Alpha team all do their jobs. Songbird, Fixer, Mach V, Ghost, Moonstone, and US Agent all immediately set to returning the prisoners to their cells. Some may be reluctant (Moonstone and Ghost), but they try to do the right thing. Former Alpha Crossbones gets to make it back into the world, too.

The Beta team is a bit craftier. Centurious, Satana, Shocker, Boomerang, Troll and Mr. Hyde take a lot more pleasure in beating the crap out of the inmates. Centurious is smart enough to take advantage of the chaos too.

The rest of the book involves the combined teams taking on the Juggernaut and some of Sin’s other monsters on the shores of Chicago. When things get too tough, the Betas decide they have had enough…

I absolutely love Parker’s characterization with these guys. Boomerang and Shocker are particular faves, as low-level thugs who know their place. They follow along in the wake of their betters and don’t seem to bummed at the role. Satana is a great addition; she serves as a powerhouse team member and a great plot-device to keep the story spinning.

I never dreamed I’d enjoy Kev Walker’s art this much. When I saw his original sketches, I was very concerned for this book. But he’s made this book his own and I love his take on Juggernaut, Songbird, and Mach V. Declan Shalvey keeps the tone consistent, and the handoff between the two artists is flawless. Who would have guessed that punk-rock Songbird could be this cool?

Good

Comics on the Bubble: Avengers: Fear Itself

This run of comics is a fascinating exercise. For me, it’s proof that Bendis can write solid, super-hero action. Now, due to the jumping nature of the plot, he usually gets to dodge any resolution for the battles, but he actually choreographs some neat battles. I still can’t stand the way he writes Hawkeye, it just feels off, but some of his Avengers actually work. In fact, only after reading these issues do I feel like Protector isactually a legitimate member of the team. (I dropped the book at issue 6, and then picked up at 19, so he never did anything that I saw.) I also dislike the interview format as a bridge for the issues, it’s all too reality TV for me. But the actual fighting is pretty good. Top notch artists sure don’t hurt.
Issue 13: Chris Bachalo tries, but this is a talky book. Alan Davis’ cover is the best part. Keep, barely.

Issue 14: Red Hulk vs. Feared Up Thing, drawn by John Romita Jr. Can’t miss! Keep.

Issue 15: Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, Spider-Woman, and Protector vs. Feared Up Hulk! Not bad, even if that Avengers team doesn’t have a chance. Bachalo makes it pretty. Hawkeye and Spider-Woman just don’t make sense as a couple! Keep

Issue 16: Steve Rogers, Sharon Carter, Victoria Hand, and Maria Hill vs. Master Man and old Red Skull henchman. It’s a fun idea, and Romita Jr. draws a good Master Man. Keep

Issue 17: Romita Jr. handles the combined Avengers vs. Sin. I wish Romita Jr. had more panel time to draw old Iron Man armors. What we get here is just a tease. Keep

So this is a run I think I’ll hold on to. It’s all fighting, and mostly in costume. I’ll skip the video confessional bits on future readings, but top artists drawing people smashing is why I read comics!

Fear Itself HC

Well, now I understand the complaints about this series.

I was really looking forward to this based on the creative team, but I have rarely read a crossover with so much missing. Entire plot elements are simply dropped out of the book and not mentioned again. What happened in Paris? I don’t know. Did Absorbing Man get a hammer? Clearly he did, because we see him with one, but it is skipped. After dominating the early goings, the hammer wielders just disappear from the pages. I mean, we see the Thing’s return, but we’re talking about Hulk and Juggernaut! Heck, I even want to see the others (like Attuma) get taken down too!

Part of the lack of focus here is that there are barely lead characters for this. Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man are mostly featured, but they fade away for most of an issue before showing up for a dramatic moment or two. I think Thor makes out the best, he gets some great fights with Odin, Hulk, and Thing. But this wasn’t marketed as a Thor story, and even his story feels incomplete. This huge battle with the Serpent, the one that got built up with prophecies and all that dialogue? A few panels long. Then just done.

Winter Soldier’s death? Pointless. And NO ONE should be able to break Cap’s “indestructible” shield. I understand the need to quickly (and artificially) give the Serpent some street-cred, but editorial should have nixed this idea. Now the shield is breakable. It’s that simple. It’s been done.

And Spider-Man QUITS? Seriously? The poster boy for responsibility goes home when he thinks the heroes are going to lose? Oh my. Can’t take that one back either.

How the heck were the super-powered good guys determined? Black Widow, Iron Fist, and Dr. Strange barely appeared in the series, yet they all get special Asgardian weapons and Tron redesigns. Why? I don’t know. Is that in a tie-in? I’m sure I’ll find out from the library eventually.

It’s also pretty funny that Hermod basically stands in for Balder through the whole story. He even looks the same.

Once aspect that lived up to the hype is Stuart Immonen’s art. I’m really impressed with his Asgardians. Odin is regal and more powerful than I’ve ever seen him. Sif looked great, if others could make her look this regal, I’d join the fans clamoring for her to join the Avengers. Cap should not be slinging guns and wearing helmets, but Immonen turns those mistakes into triumphs, with Cap’s sweet parachute-drop into downtown NYC.

I shelled out for the hardcover, but clearly, that wasn’t enough. If I want this whole story, I’ve got to buy a lot of tie-ins.

Story – Average
Art - Excellent

Black Panther #523

Wait one darn second. Is Marvel still putting out comics? I thought everyone agreed that they'd sit out for September!

David Liss does a nice job wrapping up his Fear Itself tie-in that actually had very little to do with Fear Itself. This is the type of tie-in book I loved as a kid, because while it did sort of crossover, it actually just told a kick-butt story about the main character.

After all the online hoodoo about the American Panther, it was kind of nice to see T'Challa just kick his butt. Very few folks should have a chance against the Black Panther, and the ol' AP is not one of those guys. I do like that Liss leaves the option open to use the character again, and it will be fun making guesses on who could take up the role in the future. (Not Casper Cole, right? Who else is a good fit?)

The Panther is lucky to have so many tough ladies in his life. When the super-villains come calling, Storm is a handy pal to have in your corner. For the more street-level conflicts that usually fill this series, Sofija the waitress is pretty darn capable herself! T'Challa got lucky that she's a good waitperson and knows how to handle herself in a fight. Liss keeps the balance throughout the book; this is clearly T'Challa's show, but there is room for the competent supporting cast.

Francesco Francavilla continues to display why he's the best artist for this book. The heavy inks look fantastic for T'Challa's street-level conflicts. This issue does seem a lot more rushed than some of his other issues; there are a lot of pages with no backgrounds. But since many of those simple pages consist of night-vision-fighting, I think it works.

This continues to be one of the better titles coming out every month, give it a try when it becomes Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive next month!

Good

Avengers Academy #18

I get the feeling that Christos Gage is about to kill one of his students in the next issue. I honestly can't remember who shows up on the solicits for upcoming issues, so my only feeling right now is that Veil and Reptil are safe, I think all bets are off for everyone else.

This issue is basically straight out of a horror movie (as noted by the characters). The Absorbing Man and Titania (now possessed by crazy fear entities) spend every page just stalking around knocking the crap out of the Academy students. I do like the way the kids get taken out, leaving the "bad" kids as the last ones standing. Finesse, Hazmat, and Striker aren't exactly heroes, but they're the best available in Hank Pym's infinite mansion.

Speaking of the mansion, it sure doesn't look good. The enormous house is slowly expanding, and this issue ends with it popping into the Microverse (above what looks like Bug's homeworld). I'm honeslty not sure what the kids can do to stop the pumped-up fear baddies, I mean, Finesse is street-level and Striker isn't much better. I don't see how the kids have a chance!

Andrea De Vito steps in to guest-pencil this issue, and I have to laugh. Gage basically has a rotating cast of some of my favorite artists in the business. Mike McKone, Tom Raney, Sean Chen, and De Vito may not be the biggest names in comics, but their storytelling is excellent and I love their takes on the Marvel U. Gage is a lucky guy to keep getting such great artistic partners.

Good

Avengers Academy #15

Christos Gage works really hard to make this all feel like a big war, but frankly, so many people have died in recent Marvel events that I’m just not feeling it. Admittedly, I’m not reading Fear Itself until it comes out in trade (darn that $3.99 price tag), so I’m sure I’m missing something, but still.

Steve Rogers calls the Academy faculty out to New York to deal with escapees from the Raft. I spotted Quicksand, Flying Tiger, and one of the Ani-Men (Dragonfly?). I always love playing spot the villain in these big stories!

Left behind with the students, Tigra ends up having to lead them into Washington DC where the city is under attack by Sin, who now looks like the Red Skull (dang, I’m reading Cap in trades too!) There are some great moments in this sequence, where the kids get to show off their heroics. Striker shows off his new powers, and Mettle gets his first kill. I don’t think Tigra has ever had this much time in the spotlight either, and I’m enjoying it.

Tom Raney’s work is solid, but his last page is tremendous. Giant Man shows up in Dubai to take on the hammer-wielding Absorbing Man and Titania. Crusher Creel is thrilled to see his old nemesis and lets out a resounding “PYM!” I can’t wait for next month!

Good