“Wolverine’s son at his best!”
I want to say right up front, that when I heard about this title, I had absolutely no interest in it. Wolverine has just about finished (just waiting on the giant-size conclusion) his Old-Man Logan storyline, when I saw the solicitation for the Dark Wolverine change for the title. I have a passing knowledge of Daken but not much of a interest in learning more about him. For that matter, I rarely like the children of heroes. I guess like real life, the children almost never live up to the stature of their more famous parents. Since I have bought and read every issue of the current run, I decided to stay on at least one issue of the new story. Now three issues in, I’m really liking this character.
The story continues with Daken manipulating everyone in sight including Norman Osborn, his fellow Avengers, and even to some extent, the Fantastic Four. I have to say that after three issues, there doesn’t seem to be any limits to how far Daken will go! He could possibly be the must controlling and manipulative force in the Marvel U! And its like no one even realizes that he’s doing it to them or to others! Daken has one of the most developed and unique personalities than I have seen in years of comic reading.
If you not currently reading this because Marvel has released a billion and one Dark Reign books, well then at least get this one! And while your at it, pick-up the first two issues as well. It is well worth it. Or, is Daken just making me think its better than it is?
4 out of 5
Is Clint Barton the only voice of reason? I would say “Yes.” With the mutant enslavement, including Avengers Wolverine, Barton has found the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. His plan is to assassinate Norman Osborn. Who’s with him?
Bendis delivers his quipping dialogue between Avengers teammates as Clint asks if his teammates will lend to hand to kill Norman. This is what the Dark Reign has been moving towards since its inception. However, being a one-shot and the first of many “The List” one-shots to come, you get the feeling that Barton will fail.
Artist Marko Djurdjevic masterfully darkens these pages with shadows and tension, adding weight to the plot. He captures the facial emotion at every beat and then softens his delivery for a more stealth-like approach to the action. His panel choices are sharp and fluid.
I thought Norman’s device for shielding himself from Clint’s bullets was a big ol’ bucket of Velveeta, but the confrontation was fun. It’s tough for me to believe that the other Avengers would not want to kill Osborn – he’s evil and things are only going to get worse. Besides those gripes, this was a great read. I hope the cliffhanger ending is intelligently resolved in upcoming Avengers issues.
So far “The List” has earned its place on my pull list.
4 out of 5
Daken, Wolverine’s mysterious son, takes over his daddy’s comic. Expecting to witness a train wreck, I am very pleasantly surprised. What could have easily been a thoughtless stopgap during Dark Avengers has become a smartly written expose into the seedy mind of Daken.
Daniel Way and Marjorie Liu have joined pens to pit Daken against Bullseye. Using his wits and powers of suggestion, Daken is weaving doubt and deceit among his team members. With a Machiavellian flare, Daken is engaged in a battle of the minds with Bullseye and Norman Osborne. Setting up events like chess pieces, his final play is still unknown but this arc is moving toward what should be an interesting climax. Way and Liu are smart in their take on Daken. Rather than the typical slash and pound, this intellectual posturing is well written and fun.
Giuseppe Camuncoli’s art is brilliant. From Daken feigning concern, Bullseye’s rage, and Osborn’s tantrums, each expression is captured beautifully. His battle between Daken and the Thing is of particular mention, fluid and smartly paneled.
While its nothing earth shattering, this issue is unexpectedly solid. I am very intrigued to see how Daken’s plan works out.
3.5 out of 5
Author Matt Fraction is putting the dethroned Tony Stark through the proverbial ringer. He’s on the run, equipped with on out-of-date ironman, tired, and losing his greatest power, his intelligence. Most shockingly, he’s shaved his moustache in an attempt to disguise himself. He’s getting dumber and looks like an idiot.
The “World’s Most Wanted” arc continues to pummel poor ol’Tony. He reunites with Pepper Potts, geared up in a iron suit made just for her. Fraction writes the desperate meeting believably and true to the characters. With Lady Masque sent to assassinate the struggling Ironman, this former flame only has more motive to cap Tony now that he sees Pepper stealing her man. Rogue ex-SHIELD agent Maria Hill is still trying to deliver her package to Nick Fury and seeks the Black Widow’s help. Fraction creates a great against-all-odds feel to the plight of our heroes.
Salvador Larroca and Frank D’Armata show skills as artist and inker, respectively. This issue is polished and sharp. The shimmering metallic effect makes the technology realistic and accurate, although at times, faces can look goofy in their expressions.
The last few pages are a tough read, but in a good way. Lady Masque is sadistic, and Tony and Potts are in some serious trouble. Eventually, Ironman will save the day, but it sure is fun watching him get the crap beat out of him.
3.5 out of 5
Osborn’s team of reformed villains is shaping up to be one of the most captivating Dark Reign reads. The newest cast of Thunderbolts, which began as a makeshift crew thrown together in the wake of Norman Osborn’s rise to power, is gathering steam and moving towards an exciting confrontation.
In this issue, author Andy Diggle reveals the team members’ thoughts about Norman, their place on the team, and their doubts about the future in the Thunderbolts. Trouble is brewing for the Thunderbolts as the team shows signs of splintered allegiances, hidden agendas and betrayals, and certainly no one trusts their boss. Songbird, the former leader of the Thunderbolts, shows her pretty face and is ready to make here move against the team she once led and the boss who fired her (and worse).
Miguel Sepulveda’s art is consistent throughout the issue. He pencils with a strong realism that makes these lesser-known characters more human and less comic bookish.
The chessboard is set for some great moments in the future of this title. Diggle gives us a great reveal on the last page, changing this team forever.
4 out of 5
It was inevitable that the X-Men would be fully drawn into the thundering whirlpool consuming all in the Marvel Universe, namely, Norman Osborn and his Dark Reign. Eventually, Emma Frost would have to be answerable to Osborn. Will she choose the evil Cabal or stay faithful to the X-Men?
Matt Fraction’s “Utopia” is the set up issue for this conflict. When Simon Trask and his mutant hating protesters arrive on the doorstep of the X-Men’s new home in San Francisco, a large-scale riot draws the attention of Osborne. In his new law and order role, Norman and his Dark Avengers confront Scott Summers and the X-Men. Fraction builds the conflict up with a smart progression, giving meaning to the impending battle. His portrayal of Osborn drooling at the chance to take out the X-Men is polished and spot-on. There are some real nice moments between individual characters as the fight is about to begin, i.e. Scott Summers giving it to Toad.
Why are there more than twelve different artists on this title? It boggles my mind this title gets carved up between so many different pencils. The effect is what would be expected, inconstant panels, varying looks, and an overall sloppy presentation. The art’s not horrible, but it’s mercenary rather than one talented artist understanding the characters and conveying them to the readers. This approach works okay for the big fights, but the subtle facial expressions and nuanced tensions via body language are missing. Certain panels are just embarrassing.
The fight between the Dark Avengers and the X-Men is underway. This should be a good run over the next three issues. We are off to a slow, but decent start.
3 out of 5
Mr. Negative lives up to his name in this crappy first issue of this three-part mini-series.
I’m having a tough time thinking of one thing positive to say about this train wreck. Author Van Lente’s plot is slower than molasses and certainly not as sweet. Martin Li, aka Mr. Negative, is taking his stand against the Hood for the criminal underbelly of Chinatown. Previously introducing in Amazing Spider-Man, Mr. Negative is an intriguing villain whose back-story interested me, that is until I read it. What could have been an interesting character in a universe where new baddies are tough to come by quickly fizzled into obscurity. Oatmeal is more exciting than these pages.
Gianluca Gugliotta’s art is average in an otherwise below par book. “Pattison with Mossa” is credited for the colors and should be mentioned because the inks for Negative are cool, but not enough to save a sinking ship. This bright spot is like noticing a pretty picture on the Titanic as it hits the iceberg.
I am a Dark Reign addict so I will finish off this series, but Marvel sold me bad crack with this one. I hope I can apologize for this review after I read the next two. I did like the cover.
.5 out of 5
I have been pleasantly surprised by a few Dark Reign miniseries and New Avengers: The Reunion is one of them. Author Jim McCann had a tough task in front of him – to make Bobbi Morse, a.k.a. Mockingbird relevant. Would anyone really care that Mockingbird returned? Would the gaps from Secret Invasion be filled in adequately or glossed over? Once again, would anyone care? My answer, yes.
Good writing made me not only care, but really like this series, and hope for more. Hawkeye (I refuse to call him Ronin) and Mockingbird reunite to take down an A.I.M. threat. Woven throughout this Mr. and Mrs. Espionage tale is a fantastic, rekindled relationship. McCann provides solid answers to Bobbi’s Skrull abduction, making her a compelling and noteworthy character. Most importantly this is an interesting and enjoyable story.
The chemistry between Hawkeye and Mockingbird is engaging. In between the spy action, flashbacks reveal all we need to know about Bobbi and her feelings for Clint. Like I always say, nothing brings a couple back together like a good fight. Once the dust settles from the series-ending showdown with A.I.M., Bobbi and Clint finally have the heart to heart these issues have been building up to. McCann writes this dialogue authentically and it’s believable.
David and Alvaro Lopez provide the pencils and inks. Overall, the art was average with some shining moments. The more intimate moments between the former lovers were most notable for their softness and passion. My biggest complaint with all four issues is that the colors were too bland and lifeless.
In the end, it was surprisingly satisfying. Mockingbird is back and hopefully she can find a place in the Marvel Universe. Now we just need Clint to drop this Ronin crap. He’s Hawkeye and always will be.
3.5 out of 5
Hank Pym’s newfound Avengers are stuck in the PymPocket; sounds kinky doesn’t it? The Pympocket is a lab that exists outside of both time and space. Barely escaping a HAMMER attack, the doorways to return home are quickly disappearing. Only Mr. Fantastic, Reed Richards, has the technology that can help them. Hank calls up his old buddy, but plans and people change. Meanwhile, U.S. Agent and Quicksilver are off to China on a mission involving the Inhumans, which could have far reaching ramifications.
Okay, I’m not a fan of the mega-science stories; time travel, multi-dimensions, and alternate realities are not my thing. That being said, I still really like this issue. I have writer Dan Slott to thank for that. Slott can write good banter and advance the story as well. Hank Pym declaring to Reed Richards “It’s on, bitch” was a great moment in Avengers’ history. This is a far from cohesive team and Slott is able to capture the tension with wit and style. With Loki pulling the strings and Hank still not entirely stable, it’s going to be bumpy time for this fledgling team.
Stephen Segovia’s art should get this book noticed. Even panels without action appear vibrant because of his talent. There is a power and fluidity to each image that brings life into these pages.
This issue leaves us waiting for the action that will occur next issue. This team is fun and Slott seems to have a lot in store for them.
3.5 out of 5
In this issue, Author Joe Kelly moves all the pieces into position for the American Son story arc to come charging out of the gates. I actually enjoyed this installment better than last issue. With dad by his side, Harry enters deeper into the world of the Dark Avengers. Norah, Parker’s co-worker from Frontline, takes his rally cry against Norman Osborn to heart and goes undercover in the Avengers Tower. The weakest pages are between JJ Jameson’s dad and Peter Parker. Panels are wasted as JJ senior tells Peter why he deserted the Army. Who cares? We get it! He’s a stand up guy. Enough already. Peter makes a bold move in this issue to infiltrate Norman’s sanctuary. Don’t want to give it away because it was pretty sharp.
After just one issue, this arc sees the talents of a new penciller, Paulo Siqueira. The change was noticeable. At times, faces were disproportionate and oddly angled. However, most of this issue was drawn well with some notability good splash panels.
This one is set-up for the real action, but enjoyable nonetheless. Spider-Man and Norman Osborn were bound to throw down sooner or later. So far, this is a solid arc. If there is a one-shot with Aunt May’s wedding, I am not buying it.
3.5 out 5
