Some said it was over. Some heard whispers of its return. Some have no idea what’s going on. Welcome back, Comic Nation. Geronimo here, as always, back to treat you to my completely biased view of comics and all things comics related that I deem worthy of discussion chopped, diced, wrapped, and rolled into something that can only be described as The Rundown! Things have evolved since last season’s finale, which is in no way a copout to cover the large gap since the last edition. Anyways, the three of you that read this know that I’m the Marvel Man here at TMStash and while that remains truer than a believer, I’ve broadened my horizons a bit and have embraced the chaos outside what Marvel has to offer. So without further delay, let’s get to my picks of the week, in no particular order.
Comics
Death of X #1: Finally, the head honcho’s over at Marvel have allowed their creative teams to finally dive into the unexplored 8 month time lapse since the end of Secret Wars. This will specifically focus on the X-Men and InHumans and how the roaming cloud of Terigen Mist affects each group and how it has set them on a collision course. The all-star creative line up of writers Jeff Lemire, Charles Soule, artist Aaron Kuder, and colorist Morry Hollowell deliver a solid set-up issue that gives you just a taste of what is to come. As an X-Men fan I’m both excited and weary about what this event means for the mutants of Marvel. – 8/10
The Walking Dead #159: This has been one of the very best series I’ve ever read and the train keeps on rolling with part three of the Whisperer War. This largely revolves around Negan and his continued effort to prove that he is both trustworthy and useful. He is given the opportunity he needs as they meet the Whisperers and their giant herd of undead head on. However, Negan suffers a personal loss that has upped the stakes and should not bode well for the Whisperers, or their leader Beta, down the line. Robert Kirkman (creator/writer), Charlie Adlard (pencils), Stefano Gaudiano (inks), and Cliff Rathburn (greys) have done an excellent job with this arc. If you aren’t reading this, then I don’t have the words. – 10/10
Bloodshot Reborn #18: This issue sees the Bloodshots cast away on a raft, trying to escape an island where they’ve spend endless days being hunted for sport and science. They pass the time telling tales of how they came to be Bloodshots and ended up on the island. Things seem bleak, but it’s our very own Bloodshot, Garrison, that helps guide the group in a direction that just may give them the payback and freedom they so deserve. Writer Jeff Lemire, artist Tomas Giorello, and colorist Diego Rodriguez and Andrew Dalhouse continue to make this one of my favorite books from Valiant Comics. -7/10
Champions #1: This issue takes place after the events of Civil War II, even though it isn’t over yet. Not happy with the way things were handled during Civil War II, Nova, Spider-Man (Miles), and Ms. Marvel have quit the Avengers. Recruiting the Totally Awesome Hulk and Vision’s daughter Viv, they strike out to polish the reputation of heroes that their adult counterparts have recently tarnished in their latest Civil War. I was on board with this before the issue hit shops because I’m a fan of most of these characters and with the team of Mark Waid (writer), Humberto Ramos (pencils), Victor Olazaba (inks), and Edgar Delgado (colors), I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed. By the way, I wasn’t. – 8/10
Revolution #2: IDW’s big Hasbro crossover continues as G.I. Joe and M.A.S.K. seem to have joined forces to help bring down the Cybertronians that they believe are responsible for the impending doom of Earth. Little do they know, there is a big difference between a Transformer and ROM Spaceknight, whose motives in all this still remain a mystery. Towards the end of the issue, it’s revealed just who might be responsible for all this as another faction has just entered the fray. Thanks to writers John Barber and Cullen Bunn, artist Fisco Ossio, and colorist Sebastian Cheng, I get to see the crossovers I created with my toys growing up actually taking place in the pages of a comic book. -7/10
The Amazing Spider-Man #19: The Jakal has returned, Clone Conspiracy is right around the corner, and Peter Parker is under a mountain of pressure as the life of someone close to him hangs in the balance. This issue really pulls at Parkers duel life and how little people close to him know about it. There is a new procedure, perfected by a new company, that will completely heal anyone and/or bring them back from the dead better than ever. However, it’s driving Parker’s Spider-Sense crazy which is driving his family crazy because he cannot explain why he won’t authorize the new treatment. Plus, there’s a great Kingpin tie-in story in the back! This just may be the best issue of the volume. I’m big on Spider-Events and Dan Slott (writer) Giuseppe Camuncolit (pencils), Cam Smith (inks), and Jason Keith (colors) are making this one out to be a very fun one. -9/10
Deadpool: Back In Black #1: So back in Secret Wars there was a Deadpool’s Secret Secret Wars tie-in where he came into contact with the Venom Symbiote before Spider-Man. Now, Cullen Bunn (writer), Salva Espn (artist), & Ruth Redmond (colors) are taking us back to the 80’s to tell the untold story of when the Venom Symbiote reunited with Deadpool. This story takes place right after Parker rejects the suit and before it bonds with Brock, which is a new retcon but hey, it’s Deadpool! All retconning aside, this is a great book with all kinds of Deadpool fun along with some great ‘80’s related notes on the bottom of most of the pages. – 8/10
Honorable Mention goes to He-Man/ Thundercats #1, a book that I forgot to pick up and looks like it will be really awesome or really not. Either way, it’s one I must check out as it’s following in the footsteps of crossing over my favorite toy lines from the 80’s.
Film
The big news to hit this week was the first poster for the third Wolverine film along with its title, Logan. Fans are expecting a loose adaptation of the famous Old Man Logan arc which sees Logan as an old man in a dystopian future ruled by villains. X-Men: Apolcalypse landed on DVD/Blu-Ray this week and I made sure to grab my copy. I would recommend getting yours at Target, as they have an exclusive edition where the case is a Class of ’83 yearbook that’s a must have for any X-Men fan. While looking through the deleted scenes I can understand why they cut what they did, but dammit that mall scene montage to the Safety Dance was outstanding. That and most of Jubilee’s lines were in most of these cuts along with a display of her powers. Hopefully she can get some more screen time in the 90’s.
Television
Luke Cage: Marvel’s third Netflix series debuted over the weekend and like a good junkie, I binged it. While this ended up being my least favorite thus far, it’s not bad by any means. However, I must give them a tip of the old hat for trying to stay true, dropping several easter eggs, and using several characters from the comics no matter how cheesy they may be. The thing that impresses me the most is how well they’ve constructed this Netflix universe, giving each series its own unique and distinct style while taking place in the same city with little strings connecting here and there. Might I add that my favorite part about this whole Netflix thing is that the common denominator is Rosario Dawson’s Night Nurse.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: The show has been on a tear since the premiere, especially with the addition of the Ghost Rider Robbie Reyes. I haven’t caught this weeks episode thanks to the government debates. Yeah politics.
The Flash: The third season of Flash debuted this week with the highly anticipated Flashpoint event. Barry has made his life whole by saving his mother from the Reverse Flash. However, things aren’t as Barry would have them and thanks to his tampering with the timeline it isn’t going to get any better. If you thought this was going to be a one and done arc, you are dead wrong. I really liked this premiere which played to my love of alternate timelines.
Arrow: Seemingly unaffected by Barry’s Flashpoint, we return to the city protected by Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow. At the end of last season, Team Arrow took a break and it seems like that break just may be permanent. It’s leaving Oliver to handle things on his own both as the Mayor and its number one vigilante. If the city stands a chance against the newer threats, Oliver is going to have to assemble a new team worthy of saving the city he so cares for. This premiere was pretty strong too, but it fell a bit short of Flash for me.
Well that about does it for this week. Keep checking back every week for more of the same and maybe a bit more. If this wasn’t enough fir ya, I’ve got your back. Additionally, be sure to check out Ed Garretts 10 Spot, Pressed to the 9’s, Great 8’s, reviews by Stacy Lott, and Danger Decides if his comics suck or not for other reviews and perspectives into the awesome workd of comics.
The post The Rundown appeared first on TMStash.