“Marvel heroes from the 50’s fighting today!”
I’ve been wanting to do a review for this title for awhile. Marvel hasn’t confirmed it, but this seems to be the last issue of the regular Agents of Atlas series. So, I guess it’s now or never.
This issue is the third and last part of the story arc:”Terror of the Jade Claw.” We find our heroes contending with the Jade Claw. The back story on the Jade Claw is that she is Jimmy Woo’s ex-flame and current ruler of the “Great Wall”, who doesn’t feel like picking up her former relationship. Who can blame her, since it ended over 50 years ago! In fact, she wants to destroy him and the Agents of Atlas! But don’t worry, I’m sure everything will work out in the end.
Even though the Agents of Atlas will be back in a two issue mini-series with the X-Men, I’ll miss this book. I’ve always been a sucker for “retro” books and I’ve always liked when older characters are revived and reinvented for a new audience. This has been a great read and a critical success, if not a financial one. For once, I wish Marvel would keep a good book going even if its not a big seller. They are always quick to pull the plug on low selling books, while D.C. has more of a tendency to stick a little longer with these type of books.
I’ll be looking forward to the next appearance of the Agents!
Issue #11 Rating: 4 out of 5
Series Rating: 4.5 out of 5
“The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine”
So after last issue’s shocking events, the Fantastic Four is introduced to the being that Dr. Doom called Master: The Marquis of Death and his Apprentice. Appearing before the four at the Baxter Building, The Marquis is initially mistaken for Doom by the Thing because he has taken to wearing Victor’s face mask. But after he quickly overwhelms them, he reveals what he has done to Doom and what he has in plan for the Four. Needless to say, its nothing pleasant!
This issue and the last two have all been a long time in coming. When I initially heard that Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch were taking over the Fantastic Four, I’ll admit to having set a very high bar for them. This is, after all, one of the best creative teams in comic books today. And though the other issues they have done on this title have been good, I’ve been waiting for a real show-stopping arc from them to put their mark on the first family. I think that this could be it if the next issue can deliver on the promise. My fingers are crossed.
4.5 out of 5
