All New Invaders #15 - A Reflection

Keen-eyed readers may have noticed this article is dubbed "A Reflection" rather than "A Review". In truth, there is little point in my reviewing this book, as it is the last issue of All New Invaders. There is little I can say about the book itself at this point. Steve Pugh's artwork is, as always, excellent. And James Robinson offers some great insight into these characters in this final chapter, though the actual script reads like a transcription of an Oscar acceptance speech delivered by someone who was two seconds away from being played off by the band for over a minute.


I don't fault Robinson for this. It is clear in both the text of the issue and his comments at the end that he had so many plans for this book that never came to fruition. The plot involving The Kree and a weapon that could control Celestials?  Bucky Barnes working with the British Invaders on a secret mission involving Martian invaders from an alternate reality and the revival of Killraven?  Even the promise of a romance between the original Human Torch and the new heroine Radiance seems to have been rushed into life as a footnote in this issue, so great is Robinson's haste to show What Might Have Been and (hopefully) What Will Be.


Unfortunately, I can't say I'm as optimistic as Robinson.  Given the whole of time and space to play with, he created a great number of wonders in a very short time.  Alas, that doesn't seem to have been enough to satisfy The Powers That Be at The House Of Ideas. Books which portray Namor as the complicated character that he is seem to be out of vogue at the moment.  Then again, true anti-heroes tend to languish when all heroes are forced into an anti-hero's place, as seems to be the prevailing attitude in many of Marvel's titles heading into Secret Wars.

Still, we will see what we will see. And I will hope that Robinson is given the chance to tell the tales he wishes to tell. In another reality, if not this one.

All New Invaders #14 - A Review

It is a time of adjustment. The original Human Torch Jim Hammond, still a newbie SHIELD agent, is catching up with his estranged sidekick, Toro, who has just been revealed to be an Inhuman rather than a Mutant. But they will have little time to reminisce when their new friend Iron Cross requires help dealing with an army of Neo-Nazi cyborgs!


This is the penultimate issue of All New Invaders yet I already find myself missing it as if it were gone. Perhaps that is because of the feeling that James Robinson had so much more to say with this book and so much more to do with the new characters he created for it. And I'm dearly sorry we won't get to see what happens to Speedball's cat and can only hope the poor creature slinks off into Comics Limbo without some completest deciding it had to be dissected for the shock of it.


While the story may have a hint of ennui, the artwork is as exciting as ever. If I were to sum up Steve Pugh's artwork in one word, I could only say that it is epic. And the colors by Guru-FX make every panel vibrant and beautiful.

All New Invaders #13 - A Review

Tanalath The Pursuer of The Kree Empire and Makkari of The Eternals are both renegades among their respective peoples. And though their peoples would likely consider their interaction an act of treason, they still meet.  For there is a mystery that needs solving and both find greater comfort with another who asks questions than their own kin...


I've never been fond of the cosmic portions of Marvel Comics universe. Yet James Robinson's script for this issue avoids getting bogged down in cumbersome details even as it discusses some involved continuity. We even learn how Makkari shares an association with our titular team and how he was a member of The Invaders under the names Mercury and Hurricane back in World War II!


Steve Pugh's artwork is as amazing as ever.  Pugh is a versatile artist, equally capable of intricate panel work and huge, poster-worthy splash pages. We see plenty of both in this issue and every page looks wonderful.

All New Invaders #12 - A Review

Fans of James Robinson's Times Past stories from his classic Starman series would do well to pick up this issue of All New Invaders.  In truth this issue isn't about The Invaders, instead centering upon another classic hero team of yesteryear - Freedom's Five.  The WWI equivalent of The Invaders, this flashback issue is all about four of The Five teaming with the Iron Fist of that era against an even greater menace than The Central Powers - Martians!


This sort of story is Robinson's bread and butter and he weaves new details into the history of the Marvel Universe even as he delivers a ripping yarn.  One nice touch is that The Crimson Cavalier - a French hero who was never given an official history - is retconned as being an ancestor of the mercenary Batroc The Leaper.  Similar development is given to the equally obscure Sir Steel - a British hero whom Robinson reveals was a blacksmith rewarded with the legendary magic armor of England's greatest knight!


The artwork of this issue is something to behold.  Marc Laming teams with Barry Kitson on the pencils for the flashback scenes that take up most of the issue, their usual styles subverted into something that more closely resembles the comics of The Golden Age than their usual solo work.  P. Craig Russell lends a hand with the inks, crafting a finished project that is truly amazing!

All New Invaders #11 - A Review

Some time has passed since The Invaders last united.  Thanks to recent events, Steve Rogers now looks his age and Namor - never the most popular of heroes or world leaders - is more hated than ever.  Despite this, Namor is still determined to find and save an apparently mad Jim Hammond - the first man to be called The Human Torch and one of the few Namor considers a true friend.


I've spoken before of James Robinson's gift for fitting exposition into his dialogue.  In most of his stories - such as the Times Past chapters of Robinson's Starman - this was due to flashbacks depicting old adventures relevant to the current adventure.  In this case, Robinson's gift is needed to explain away the current events of the Captain America title as well as the latest Marvel inter-company crossover.  Still, the information is delivered quickly and the proceedings are rounded out with some of Robinson's usual humor without things becoming too chatty.


Unlike last month's issue, All New Invaders #11 allows Steven Pugh ample opportunity to dazzle the audience with an epic splash page or two.  Pugh is even capable of fitting a poster-worthy piece of action-packed artwork into a half-page.  Such ability to depict this level of detail in a confined panel is a rare gift and we are all fortunate to see such talent on display here.

All New Invaders #10 - A Review

When we last left The Invaders, our heroes were in dire straits. On a mission to rescue The Human Torch's sidekick, Toro, the group found themselves surrounded by the minions of a German terrorist and an army of Deathloks. Thankfully, The Invaders have a secret weapon of their own - the daughter of an old enemy, who has just discovered her heritage as an Inhuman!


There is a lot of material to cover in this issue of Invaders but James Robinson tackles the exposition with his usual aplomb.  More, he continues to offer a unique insight into each character and handles them in unexpected ways.  The highlights of the issue include a flashback where Namor testifies at the Nuremberg Trials and Captain America addressing the Deathloks, not as zombies, but as soldiers.  We're also given an interesting new character concept in the form of the new Iron Cross.


Steve Pugh does his usual stellar job on the artwork.  The story flows naturally from panel to panel during the conversational scenes but we're still treated to a number of spacious, poster-worthy panels.  No big splash pages, alas, but every page of this book looks amazing in spite of the smaller spaces that Pugh works within.

All New Invaders #9 - A Review

If Invaders #9 has a weak point, it's that there is very little that actually happens in this issue.  Oh, there are battles aplenty in the background but these are not the focus of the story.  The main purpose of this book is to bring Captain America into the fight and to allow our villain to explain just what the heck a Deathlok is and how he has acquired a collection made up of "all of them".


That being said, this issue accomplishes both of those goals with style.  In a time and place when most authors are content to let blurbs on the credits page tell readers the story so far, James Robinson still follows the old Stan Lee edict that every comic should be written as if it were someone's first.  Robinson seamlessly fits this exposition into the narrative through The Winter Soldier giving Captain America a SitRep on what is going on and the villain of the piece - who loves hearing himself talk - explaining how he assembled his army of extra-dimensional cyborgs.


Steve Pugh matches Robinson's quality script with his amazing artwork.  While the combat sequences of this issue are somewhat limited in scope, Pugh still manages to depict them with amazing detail given the relatively minute focus in each panel.  Action fans may be disappointed but fans of great artwork won't be, even if this issue features a slightly higher amount of talking head scenes than usual.

Invaders #8 - A Review

There's no small irony that James Robinson should focus so much of Invaders #8 upon showing the common humanity of his characters, given that the focus of the issue is upon characters who are - to one degree or another - inhuman.  That is literally true in the case of Toro - the Inhuman sidekick of the original Human Torch, who is in fact an android!  This sort of thing is Robinson's bread and butter as are the softer scenes where everyone's favorite fanboy, Agent Coulson, reveals a personal reason for holding Jim Hammond in such high regard.


The plot is a somewhat standard affair, with a sidekick being kidnapped to lure the hero into a trap.  But Robinson's command of the characters and dry humor do much to liven the proceedings up.  Robinson further accomplishes the impossible by doing something I can't recall any writer ever doing - getting into the head of Namor  in a way that makes the Prince of Atlantis sympathetic, painting him as a conflicted man who is nevertheless loyal to his few friends.


Steve Pugh's artwork is, as always, excellent.  Pugh is one of the best choreographers in the business and the book's action sequences are involved without being cluttered.  His panel layouts are also interesting with the differing thickness of the panel outlines subtly accenting key moments.

Invaders #7 - A Review

There are two things James Robinson does better than any writer I can think of.  The first is provide seamless exposition, which is fast becoming a lost art.  This is particularly true at Marvel Comics, where more writers seem to be emulating the Brian Michael Bendis style of decompressed storytelling while ignoring the Stan Lee dictum that every story should be written as if it were somebody's first issue.  Miraculously, despite being the second part of a story and a tie-in to the Original Sin crossover event, you can pick up Invaders #7 and read the story without the need of any other supporting material!


The other thing James Robinson does better than anyone is utilize the obscure superheroes of yesteryear.  The centerpiece of this issue is a flashback in which we see The Kid Commandos (created by Roy Thomas for his own 1970s' Invaders book) take on their mentors in a battle over the morality of The Invaders plan to stop the fighting in The Pacific by creating a tidal wave that will hurt innocent civilians as well as the Japanese navy!


I may dote on Robinson's writing, but the artwork of Mark Laming proves the equal of Robinson's script.  Lanning's style emulates the Marvel Comics of old, with figures aiming their attacks at the reader in the grand Jack Kirby tradition.  The final product is an impressive fusion of great writing and amazing artwork.

Invaders #6 - A Review

James Robinson is one of the best idea men in comics history.  He can build whole scenes around musings about what life would really be like in a world where superpowers were a reality.  And while that often leads - to give an example from Robinson's Starman - into serious discussions about why super-scientists who develop amazing technologies in the name of fighting evil never use those same technologies to improve the lives of humanity in general, this issue of Invaders offers a scene which explores the difficulties in psychoanalyzing a mechanical man whose existence defies all the standard tropes of modern psychiatry, in a comedic fashion.


Thankfully - for those unlike me who don't find such examinations of the reality of a super-powered world interesting or amusing - the book does a bit more than wax philosophical.  And for those - like me - who care little about the Original Sin event running through several Marvel Comics books at the moment, this book can be enjoyed without any outside reading being required.

The focus of this issue is a young heroine named Radiance, who - thanks to the events of Original Sin - has learned a dark secret involving her grandmother (the Japanese heroine Golden Girl), the original Invaders team and something they did (or didn't) do during the Second World War.  Raiding a SHIELD base looking for confirmation of what she knows she demands to speak to some of the heroes involved.  And in goes newbie SHIELD agent and long-time superhero Jim Hammond a.k.a. The Human Torch...


The artwork by Mark Laming proves the equal of Robinson's excellent script.  The clarity of the action and the character design is not lost among the intricate details of Laming's pencils.  And as befits a comic featuring to characters whose powers are based around light and heat, there is a bright and vibrant aspect to every moment thanks to the coloring team at Guru-eFX.

Invaders #5 - A Review

Invaders #5 has all the hallmarks of a James Robinson story.  What this means is that the action of the book is pushed into the background so we can focus upon the dialogue.  This might sound counterproductive considering the aims of the average superhero comic but Robinson possesses a unique ability to create language that seems unlike anything we usually hear the characters involved saying yet still seems perfectly natural in spite of that.

Consider the hilarious scene where Captain America trolls The Supreme Intelligence.  Sarcasm usually comes as naturally to Steve Rogers as singing showtunes does to Batman.  And yet, in this context, it works!


Despite much of this book being taken up by talking-heads, artist Steve Pugh still gets a few good splash-pages here and there.  Pugh is at his best when he has ample space to work with and doesn't have to worry about multiple word balloons.  Yet even in the panels where the dialogue gets thick, Pugh's artwork still shines through.

In the end, I think Namor sums up my feelings about Invaders in the book's closing pages...

Invaders #4 - A Review

Invaders #4 is best summarized by two words - complex simplicity.  This may seem like a paradoxical concept and yet it perfectly describes the artwork of Steve Pugh.  Like a crafted gem, Pugh's work is multi-faceted and full of hidden details while still possessing a smooth, polished look.


The script by James Robinson is similarly detailed while still seeming to be a straight forward tale of alien invaders (in this case, the Kree army) and the advanced technology that allows them to control gods.  But there are several layers to the action and a few skillful misdirections.  Indeed, I think Robinson may have even taken a subtle dig at his own propensity for long monologues and scenes of characters talking to one another about philosophy with Bucky's complaints about getting bored with the discussion of the sins of mankind.


Bottom Line: Invaders may not be the most daring title of the Marvel NOW! line up but it doesn't have to be.  It remains what it is - a solid action series that also offers a look back at Marvel's long-neglected past.

Invaders #3 - A Review

Invaders #3 opens with one of Steve Pugh's amazing splash-pages and the only real action sequence in the entire issue.  Mind you, it is a great action scene, depicting Namor battling a legion of Kree soldiers.  The whole sequence showcases Pugh's skills as both an artist and a fight choreographer.    



Alas, the rest of the issue gives Pugh little chance to cut loose in this fashion.  Most of the book is devoted towards character-building and set-up for a journey to the Kree homeworld.  This sort of thing is writer James Robinson's bread and butter but it can be an acquired taste.  Action fans will be sorely disappointed but those who enjoy quirky scenes that reveal Captain America makes a damn-fine cup of espresso will be entertained. 


Invaders may not be everyone's cup of tea... or espresso.  Indeed, this issue is more sedate than the first two books in the series.  Thankfully, the conclusion suggests a great deal more action next month, for those who anxiously await more scenes of blue-skinned aliens being punched in the face.

Invaders #2 - A Review

Invaders #2 backtracks a little bit before returning to the action from its first issue.  We learn how Captain America and The Winter Soldier became aware of the Kree soldiers that were moving after the original Human Torch.  A flashback goes on to reveal a secret the rest of The Invaders kept from Captain America - a secret involving a weapon that once endangered the whole world and could easily do so again!



Writer James Robinson's knowledge and love of Golden Age heroes comes through in every page of this book.  His script for this issue is heavy with the exposition, yet he manages to deliver it smoothly through the dialogue without it seeming like an information dump.  He also offers up some good, if brief, character moments for Jim Hammond - the character comic readers are least likely to be familiar with. 


Steve Pugh's artwork continues to impress.  His layouts are clear and his action well-choreographed.  He also does a good job of inking the book in such a way as to enhance the natural pencils through efficient shadowing.  Praise must also be given to Guru-FX, whose striking palettes make the final artwork jump off the page at the reader.

Invaders #1 - A Review

Most of what I know about the Golden Age of Comics came about because of one writer - James Robinson.  It was his work on Starman, JSA and the mini-series The Golden Age that fueled my interest in the superheroes who started it all.  Curiously that interest never extended too far into the Marvel Universe, as Marvel - at least during the time I was first getting into comics - showed little interest in exploring its own history. 

With that in mind, I decided to give Invaders #1 a shot based on the fact that James Robinson was writing it and that the series was about Marvel Comics' first superhero team.  I expected a charming retro series.  What I got was quite different but enjoyable. 


The action of this issue is firmly set in the modern day, centering primarily upon Jim Hammond a.k.a.the original Human Torch.  He's trying to live an ordinary life in small town America but his new life quickly goes up in flames as he is attacked by a member of the alien Kree.  It seems that Hammond had one of three pieces of a device of unspeakable power but he has no memory of this.  More disturbingly, the attack brings back another memory of his adventures during World War II that suggests that his mind has been tampered with and his memories altered.



Robinson's script does a fine job of both establishing Jim Hammond as a likeable protagonist and providing a backstory for those like myself who are unfamiliar with the details of just who all The Invaders are and what they're up to in the modern day.  The artwork by Steve Pugh is of similar high quality, with character designs that are highly detailed yet simply rendered.  Pugh is also a wonderful visual storyteller, whose panels flow evenly and naturally.

Earth 2 #16 - A Review

This issue is James Robinson's last and he elected to go out with a bang.  The battle between the World Army and our fledgling team of Wonders versus the Apokoliptian forces of Steppenwolf proves to be as epic as anything we could have expected.  And yet, Robinson concludes the issue with a shocking twist that I don't think anyone could have anticipated.  I regret only that we shall never see how Robinson might have built upon such magnificence. 


Thankfully, we'll still have the equally excellent artwork of Nicola Scott to look forward to in the months to come.  Scott is one of the most underrated artists working today, in my humble opinion.  Her work on Earth 2 thus far has been some of her best and this issue continues to build upon her already amazing oeuvre. 


The only flaw with this issue is that it's not easily accessible to new readers.  That's to be expected, given that it is the final chapter of a long arc.  Presumably Tom Taylor's first issue will prove a more friendly first issue for those who have yet to check out what's going on in DC Comics' other new universe.

Earth 2 #15 - A Review

For all the hype Trinity War, Forever Evil and Batman: Year Zero have received, I think the only story DC Comics is telling right now worthy of the name epic is being told in the pages of Earth 2.  The vast collection of New 52 titles read like disparate stories forced together unnaturally into a shared universe.  Earth 2 is different, making the reader believe they are being given a glimpse into a vibrant, preexisting world.





This month's issue may seem like a collection of unrelated super-powered battles on the surface but writer James Robinson gives the material a depth rarely seen these days.  The plot of the issue deals with four separate groups of heroes combating a second invasion by the super-powered villains of Apokolips but Robinson's subplots and complex characterization make the action all the richer.  Robinson is one of the few writers I think who could balance such huge story concepts as the romance between Mister Miracle and Big Barda, the revelation that Gotham City is now a savage land roamed by dinosaurs and a battle with Wonder Woman's brainwashed daughter all together in a single scene.


Nicola Scott is similarly underrated.  Her character designs for every character in this series have been gorgeous and unique, conveying the basic idea for some long-established characters while still remaining true to the basic concept   Big Barda's armor, for instance, looks more like real armor than ever before yet the basic form of Jack Kirby's design remains intact.

Earth 2 is one of DC Comics best-hidden treasures.  It's a great read if you like dynamic stories full of action and the artwork is always excellent.  However, what will keep you coming back month after month is the relationships between the characters and the sensation you are truly peeking into another complex universe.

Earth 2 #14 - A Review

Earth 2 #14 is largely set-up for the long-awaited confrontation between the new generation of Wonders and the forces of Apokolips that have been lying dormant for five years.  Naturally they come into conflict with their superhuman rivals in the World Army but this issue does give us the first glimpse of a larger team forming from both groups of superhumans.  We also get our first good look at one of the World Army's "Red" soldiers - a mysterious archer called The Red Arrow. 



This series has become a bittersweet read for me.  Oh, it's as grand as ever - don't get me wrong.  But knowing that we're coming closer and closer to James Robinson's final issue does cast an aura of melancholy over the whole affair, though I'm sure Tom Taylor will prove capable of filling Robinson's shoes.


Thankfully, the art of Nicola Scott and Trevor Scott is bright enough to rid me of any ennui I might feel in the wake of Robinson's departure.  The vivid detail of Nicola Scott's pencils brings each panel to life, showcasing her artistic versatility as we see her use subtle stylistic differences to depict how The Flash fights compared to how Green Lantern or Doctor Fate does it.  The effect used to blur The Flash's panels while showcasing his speed is particularly effective. 

Earth 2 #13 - A Review

Picking up where the recent Earth 2 Annual left off, Earth 2 #13 further explores the various "Wonders" recruited or created by The World Army.  The primary focus is on Captain Steel, whose origins and powers are explained in detail as he undertakes a mission to explore one of the fire pits created during the Apokolyptian invasion.  We also get another glimpse of the new Batman, who is following Hawkgirl even as she continues her investigation into the the death of Alan Scott's lover.  Mention is also made of several other World Army agents, all of whom share the word "Red" in their code-names. 


No one can deny that James Robinson is in his element when it comes to this series.  No writer can match Robinson for his knowledge of the classic Golden Age heroes and his revamps of these classic characters have all proven skillful and satisfying.  The conceit of drawing a connection between several unaffiliated heroes who had nothing in common but a color in their name is a brilliant one and typical of the thought that went into Robinson's classic Starman series.  With mentions of The Red Tornado, Red Torpedo, Red Arrow and a Red Lantern, one wonders if we might see a Red Bee before Robinson is done.


Yildiray Cinar once again subs for Nicola Scott.  I've had issues with Cinar's work in the past but suspected that my objections might be due to two different inkers with two entirely different styles.  That suspicion seems to have been born out by this issue, which only employed one inker - Rob Hunter.  Cinar's figures seem less distorted and warped than in that previous outing.  More, Cinar proves to be no mean visual storyteller, capable of conveying the action effectively on those pages without any dialogue.

Earth 2 Annual #1 - A Review

Earth 2 Annual #1 is an amazingly good introduction to the world of Earth 2 for new readers.  Why should that be amazing?  Isn't the whole idea of the Annuals to do a big story that will attract the attention of those who haven't been reading the series?  One might think that's the case, particularly since the cover of this issue boasts the introduction of a new Batman.  Yet most of the annuals DC Comics has published in the past year have involved continuations of plot threats that started in the regular series, immediately creating a wedge between the story and any potential new readers. 


At first that seems to be the case with this issue, but - as per usual -  James Robinson seeks a greater depth as he spends most of this issue recalling the origin story of Captain Al Pratt a.k.a. The Atom.  We'd already seen the bare bones of Pratt's origins earlier in the monthly Earth 2 title but this story gives Robinson a chance to explore Pratt's character in greater depth.  Robinson also introduces a number of new elements, such as the new Batman promised on the cover and the revelation that another of Jack Kirby's New Gods villains - Kanto the Assassin - is loose on Earth.  For my money though, nothing tops the revelation that Gotham City is now a savage land filled with dinosaurs in the wake of the disasters that reshaped the world five years earlier.  More, Gotham has become a home of sorts to Mister Miracle and Big Barda


The art team of Cafu, Julius Gopez and Cam Smith prove an acceptable substitute for the regular penciler/inker duo of Nicola Scott and Trevor scott.  I've enjoyed Cafu's previous recent work on Action Comics and we see more work of that caliber here.  I'm unfamiliar with Julius Gopez, but his work here impresses as well.