May 22nd will forever be known as “Interlude Week.” Over at DC, Batman Incorporated took a breather for the Batman of Japan; Justice League‘s “prelude to Trinity” was more like “why is Elemental Girl here and how can we use her?”; Aquaman even exchanged writers to focus on The Others (pun, sorta kinda maybe, intended?); and Marvel’s very own Fantastic Four took Benjamin Grimm back to Yancy Street, for his annual human form week.. thing.
Here, God Hates Geeks #1 Apostle, Lance Paul, breaks down 3 different reading choices.
Superior Spider-Man #10
By: Dan Slott (Story) Ryan Stegman (Art)
The Story: Spider-Ock get a new lease on life, but can he survive the coming Goblin?
Review: The true “Superior Spider-man” is back! No longer is Spider-Ock plagued by the morally altruistic Parker Ghost. Now Ock has a new lease on life to truly be the “Superior Spider-Man.” With all of Parker’s friends starting to pick up on their less-than-friendly-neighborhood-Spidey, will Spider-Ock be ready enough for the return of Peter’s greatest villain? Will we finally see some fruition of the Green Goblin‘s return from Dark Reign? If it’s not Norman, who is the new Goblin King? Will he last the coming Goblin Reign?
Despite their share of pundits (the title hasn’t been critically lauded in a while), Slott & Stegman — sounding law firm as ever — have taken huge risks with their run, if nothing else. And, despite some personal disappointments, there’s no doubt Superior is still entertaining as hell.
We’ve all heard the Spidey story a million times, so why not hear the Spidey-Ock’s? You won’t get an apology from this apostle.
Uncanny X-Men #6
By: Brian Michael Bendis (Story) Frazer Irving (Art)
The Story: It’s not a good idea to get trapped in Limbo with mutant noobs and broken powers!
Review: This Apostle has been an Uncanny X-Men follower from the early 90’s; through thick and thin plot lines, I haven’t faltered. But, this Bendis foray on the mutant lore is starting to wear on me despite the title’s enormous potential for great storytelling.
Issue six is no different, with the issue conveying three stories that interweave. The first part deals with another new mutant’s power that blossoms, though readers may never know of its importance with the plot device’s lack of panel-time.
The primary thread involves the rebel X-Men being stranded in Limbo by the hand of Dormammu. This gastly hot-head is consolidating all of the Limbo forces, with the intention of destroying Magik, the former ruler of Limbo.
Finally, Maria Hill and Phil Coulson find a non-Avenger Mutant expert to lead a Mutant Task Force, which should prove as a shock and surprise to readers alike. More shocking, though, when did Coulson, Marvel’s newly minted S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, rise in the ranks so fast? (“The movies.” – Moody)
Over all, Bendis has yet to hit his Avengers mark with Uncanny. It’s undeniable that a start of great stories is present, and at least the art has been pretty phenomenal — especially from this issue’s illustrator, Frazer Irving. While I typically appreciate a more realistic or anime style of art, Mr. Frazer’s pastel-heavy, Limbo-centered issue looks nearly perfect.
Avengers #12
By: Jonathan Hickman & Nick Spencer (Story) Mike Deodato (Art)
The Story: Ever wonder what it would be like to leave your children under the guidance of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes? How about Thor and Spider-Man? Is baby-sitting/nannying in their repertoire? Uhh….
Review: Despite a rough and tumble run, sprinkled with spurts of brilliance, I’ve begun to enjoy Hickman’s Avengers with one specific in mind: each issue focuses on specific characters, rather than attempt to juggle the entire roster.
Switching between stories and characters every issue hasn’t always been the best method, perhaps, but when it comes to a character heavy comic like Avengers… Hick’s current method is surely preferred.
From kung-fu ninja to Asgardian fable, the range of story under this “world building” is intimidatingly wide.
Hickman also does a fine job giving heavy-hitters less typical things to do; not every instance has to be defying world domination. Therefore, it’s cool to see dialogue more personable from these two meatheads. And the humor doesn’t quit when children from the Savage Land try to learn the ropes from the Year’s Greatest Faculty.
You can also trust a plot-moving end to interlude, per Hickman rules, of course.
- 4 (out of 5) Bibles.