PUBLIC MARKS with tags marvel & comics

MARCH 2ND, 2011 FEAR ITSELF BY STUART IMMONEM POSTER

AVENGERS PRIME collects issues #1-5 of this indulgence of a mini-series, featuring Brian Michael Bendis’ writing and Alan Davis’ predictably dynamic illustrations. Not that this was a story that needed telling. Rather, AVENGERS PRIME – or, as I like to call it, the big apology adventure – is pretty much Bendis at his most egregious utilizing the decompression style. At the end of this story, what crucial plot points are served, really, other than these three primary Avengers getting over their beef? Forward, the Brightest Day or Heroic Age or whatever.

This run should have been called SS guest starring Starlins creations. When Jim Starlin took over he brought a great deal of excitement with him, he also brought the world of Thanos that he created many years ago in Captain Marvel & Iron Man.

The Dark Phoenix Saga by Chris Claremont and John Byrne was simply the best comic book story I have ever read. While this trade paperback contains most of it, the story really ran for about 25 issues *before* the issues in the TPB.

This a an excellent, lovely collection of some wonderful “Captain America” stories between issues 25-42 of the current Captain America series being published by Marvel comics. Although not a perfect collection, it comes pretty close, and is presented in a sturdy, wonderful and high quality format that will look great on any shelf and stand up to several readings.

When the Infinity Gauntlet saga originally happened, I was in my comic collecting prime. I missed out on most the saga, sadly, because I was in an area where it was quite hard to get a good selection of comics.

I love Moon Knight. Love him. And I also love the writer of this book, Gregg Hurwitz. His “FoolKiller” mini-series were amazing and got me hooked on his writing. Here though, it’s a mixed bag.

Here is the first of 4 X-Men books, chronicling the Onslaught Saga from the late 90′s. Many people will praise it. Many people will hate it. This is one of the those books that marked the beginning of a downward trend for Marvel.

Yeah, it sure is. Does it succeed? You better believe it! I’ve been into the Merc with a Mouth for quite a few years now. Honestly, besides Joe Kelly’s work, this has to be some of the best writing I’ve read in a Deadpool book. It doesn’t quite reach Kelly’s level, but it sure comes close.

The Inhumans by Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee is an incredible work. Told in 12 chapters, the story takes a bit of time to unfold and new readers will need a while to familiarize themselves with all of the characters. But once these two areas are handled…get ready for a fun ride.

I look back on the Clone Saga with a mixture of frustration and nostalgia. These were my prime comic reading days…and some parts of the story were good. So when I heard that a series of volumes would finally collect this massive plotline within several books, I was pretty excited.

With all the Wolverine stories out there today, how do you create a new story arc that reminds us why Wolverine is so awesome? You get Jason Aaron to write it and send Wolvie to Hell!

There was also the Age of Apocalypse miniseries, in which Apocalyspe, in an altered reality, controlled the world, and Magneto was the leader of the X-Men. However, in most alternate reality storylines, the ending seemed to undo everything. The characters remembered nothing of the other world when things went back to normal. Such is not the case in House of M.

It’s great to read old stories that are just as fresh as ones written today. This Avengers book will not dissapoint fans, especially since the story arc is so important to the future of the Avengers.

The Hulk is one of my favorite superhero characters around and this collection is probably one of the best stories he’s seen in many years, probably the finest since the epic Pantheon saga that Peter David did in the early 90′s.

Comic

On Saturday, May 6, the comic book industry worldwide celebrates Free Comic Book Day!