All-New Wolverine #18 - A Review

Laura Kinney has finally been freed from the influence of The Trigger Scent that transforms her into a mindless berserker. Unfortunately, SHIELD still wants to imprison her for the murders she committed while under the influence of Kimura - the woman who turned young Laura into the living weapon known as X-23. Yet Nick Fury and his agents will find themselves forming an uneasy alliance with Laura, her friends in the X-Men and the crime-lord Tyger Tyger when Kimura and her forces surround them all!


This issue proves a satisfying conclusion to the Enemy Of the State II arc. Tom Taylor writes a fantastic action-packed story, though this issue was a little light on the humor I've come to expect from him apart from some admittedly funny slapstick. The artwork by Nik Vieralls is solid, though Michael Garland's colors do muddy the action scenes a little bit due to his curious decision to use the same shades of pink to denote Gambit's explosions and Jean Grey's telekinesis. Anyone curious about Laura's character following Logan would do well to track down the early issues of this series.

All New Wolverine #17 - A Review

The good news is that Laura's friends in the X-Men have rescued her from the clutches of Kimura - an old enemy determined to turn the new Wolverine into her personal assassin. The bad news is that Laura is still trained to respond to "The Trigger Scent" created by Kimura and that Kimura's forces and SHIELD are still hunting for her. Jean Grey thinks she can undo the damage that was done to Laura's mind, but can she do it before they're all over-run by government agents and gangster thugs?


This is a merely passable issue of what is normally an excellent title. As much as I'd like to blame the presence of the X-Men for this, the fault lies with the creative team. Tom Taylor is playing against his strengths as a comedic writer and a dialogist, with most of the issue devoted to scenes of heroes fighting heroes when SHIELD shows up. Thankfully, the revelation of Laura's "happy place"makes up for a lot. It does not, however make up for the inconsistent artwork. Djibril Moristte-Phan's inks obscure far too much of the fine detail and Michael Garland's colors are oddly muted and weak.

Avengers: Age of Ultron - A Spoiler-Free Review

When the first Avengers movie came out three years ago, I was in the midst of a boycott of all things Marvel following Spider-Man: One More Day. I relented only because of my love of Joss Whedon's writing.  Afterward, I agreed to limit my boycott to Spider-Man related materials, since it wasn't fair for me to punish myself by avoiding the works of creators I liked in the name of proving a point against a single publisher.

I mention this because the thing that astonished me most about The Avengers was how accessible it was. Despite my not having seen Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger or anything after the first Iron Man movie, I was still able to follow the plot without any issues.  Whedon took care to introduce all the players and relate all the information we needed quickly and subtly.



Age of Ultron doesn't manage the same feat. How can it?! At this point, The Marvel Cinematic Universe is fast becoming as complex as the comic books that inspired it and to miss one movie is to lose a piece of the puzzle. In this respect, it is a weaker film than its predecessor because it cannot stand on its own merits.

That being said, it does have a lot of merits and the good far outweighs the bad.  In fact, I'd say it does improve upon the first film in one respect by giving Hawkeye and Black Widow some much needed definition. Ironically, the newer heroes don't get that much development in comparison but that may be rectified by the longer director's-cut that has already been promised for the Blu-Ray release.

This is a Joss Whedon movie, so you should all know what to expect: witty dialogue and lots of humor amidst the action. Unfortunately, a lot of the best moments have already been spoiled by the trailers but there are some good moments that aren't. One of these involves the greatest Stan Lee cameo yet and I shan't say a word beyond that.

Well, I will say one thing.  There is a mid-credits scene to wait around for.  There isn't anything at the end of the credits, apart from a note that The Avengers Will Return.

In the end, the best thing I can say about Age of Ultron is this. I had a royally bad day before I went into the movie theater.  Two hours later, I had forgotten my troubles. And once I remembered them on the drive home they didn't seem quite so worrisome.

This movie lightened my heart at a time when I needed a pick me up. And when you get right down to it, isn't that the mark of all good escapist fiction? I think it is.  And Age of Ultron is very good escapist fiction.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier - A Spoiler Free Review And Some Thematic Ramblings

THE SHORT, SWEET REVIEW

It is good! In fact, I think it's a better film than The Avengers. It should definitely be seen on the big screen, if possible. And you don't have to have seen the first Captain America movie or The Avengers to enjoy it.

THE LONGER, MORE DETAILED BUT STILL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW

Despite being loosely based on the Captain America comics by Ed Brubaker baring the same name, The Winter Soldier features very little of that mysterious figure.  In many ways the movie isn't even about the character of Captain America!  Indeed, this movie made me consider how little character there is to the Captain America we see on screen and how that is the only real flaw with this film.

Now don't think for a moment I'm disrespecting Steve Rogers!  I'm just saying that most of the writers who have handled the character over the years have not made a distinction between Captain America as a symbol and the man under the mask.  Thankfully, Captain America is one of the few characters I can think of who can be written as a symbol and still be a compelling presence.  But take away the suit and what is left of Steve Rogers?

It's a fair question and it is one that Iron Man 3 addressed (successfully, in my opinion) in regards to Tony Stark.  This question is briefly addressed in the movie when Steve briefly ponders what he would do with his life if he were to quit SHIELD.  And he doesn't have an answer!  It isn't something that occurred to him until someone points out that he doesn't have to stay in service with an employer he disagrees with, as Steve vents over his concerns that SHIELD has become obsessed with achieving security by sacrificing freedom.

That conflict - Freedom Versus Security - is the emotional center of the film and Rogers' internal conflict is never referenced again.  It is Rogers' purpose in this story to exist as Captain America: The Symbol rather than as Steve Rogers: The Man.  Given that, I can understand why Chris Evans has announced his intention to retire from acting once his obligations to play Captain America are met.  Playing Steve Rogers is a blast, I'm sure, but it isn't much of a challenge.

It should be noted that Evans gets some great moments early on as we see how Steve Rogers is adjusting to the modern world and find out, in most respects, he isn't.  Sure, he's surfing the Internet and compiling a list of pop-culture he needs to catch up on... but there's really nothing that defines his life and who he is apart from his work.  Those concerns are quickly shelved as we get on with the plot of the movie but those same conflicts - Freedom vs. Security and who you are under your mask - is explored more fully in the film's real hero - Black Widow.

Yes, you read that right.  Black Widow is the main hero of this movie, at least in terms of which characters undergo a hero's journey and actually change as a result of the events of the story.  Black Widow is shaped as she considers the question of what is more valuable - Freedom or Security - and how like Steve, there is no real "her" outside of her work.  The difference is, in Natasha's case, that her lack of self seems to have been an intentional choice and she is fully aware that there isn't anyone under her mask.

Natasha also - in contrast to Steve - is changed by the conflict between idealism and reality.  In fact - and I say this knowing full well I will draw fire from ever Whedonite out there - this movie does a far better job of establishing Black Widow as a character than The Avengers did.  And Scarlett Johansson rocks the role.  For that matter, Nick Fury develops as a character as the story progresses and Samuel L. Jackson gets what is easily the best action scene in the movie.

Steve Rogers doesn't really change.  Then again, the movie doesn't really need to have Steve Rogers undergo another hero's journey.  He's already a hero.  And part of the hero's journey requires the hero pass on what he has learned.  In that case, Steve Rogers exists to be the catalyst of change in others rather than changing himself.

That being said, the movie works as a straight action film and a political thriller.  The performances are all grand and there's a lot of nods to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the previous movies.  Yet this movie is still accessible to any new viewers who might not have seen the earlier films.  A Captain America display in The Smithsonian Museum provides all the exposition you need as well as one of the few moments that hints at any depth to Steve Rogers' character.

Bottom Line: See This Movie!

Dallas Fan Days 2013 - Saturday, Part Three

Spider-Woman.  Apparently I was the first all day to recognize her.



This Ms. Marvel was kind enough to put up with the rather boring collection of stories about the many versions of my Green Arrow quiver and how they've all met some amazing form of destruction.  

Who knows how much the back-issues are being sold for at this booth?

The Shadow knows.


Col. Nick Fury, in a rare good mood.    

 Cassie Hack and Vlad from the comic Hack/Slash.  

 Spider-Man's most shocking enemy... Electro!  

Amy Pond, The Fourth Doctor, Captain Jack Harkness, The Tenth Doctor and Rose Tyler.
All from Doctor Who.  

The Dark Phoenix.  

Captain Jack Harkness.  

CAJ of CAJ Cosplay as The Wicked Witch of The West and her friend Breanna as a flying monkey.
One of these days, I will recognize who she is despite her costume before asking for a picture, I swear!


The Fourth Doctor and Amy Pond.  Again, from Doctor Who.