The mini-series which launched the monthly X-Factor book, Madrox sits uncomfortably in-between stand-alone and revamp. On one hand, this marks the start of X-Factor Investigations, with characters like Strong Guy and Wolfsbane as well as reoccurring themes like Multiple Man’s now independent dupes taking a large role. On the other hand, the emphasis is so squarely on eponymous Madrox that any subplots are increasingly marginal. Fortunately, the main Madrox plot is a killer one - literally - as Multiple Man is called in to solve the mystery of one of his duplicate’s own murder. A great launch to both fans of the character as well as of neo-noir, X-Factor: Madrox is a great hardcover trade to have.

Onto the comics of this week. Annihilation Conquest #5 arrives on shelves, with a pretty awesome cover of Annihilation’s title baddie - Ultron. The series hasn’t just revamped B-heroes like Drax and Nova - Ultron and Annihilus has also received big screen make-overs into major adversaries on a universal scale.

Mark Millar’s Fantastic Four #555 also shows up with another interest cover - depicting the Fantastic Four along with the entirety of humanity evacuating a “Doomed” Earth. What’s this mean for Marvel’s First Family? An interesting start for the Ultimate team’s second issue.

Sentry takes center stage in Mighty Avengers, with one of Marvel’s most powerful heroes stuck in the past with Doctor Doom and Iron Man - and the slightest misstep could rearrange history. It sounds interesting - though Mighty is starting to look mighty convoluted following the Venom story.

New Avengers is looking more on par with the M.U., as David Mack pens a story about Echo’s attempt to gather proof on a possible Skrull imposter within the ranks of the New Avengers.

And of course, my favorite book, Nova #11, also ships this week, with Nova confronting the Technarcy behind the birth of the Phalanx, all while searching for a cure to the Transmode plague that has ravaged the Kree worlds in Conquest. This is definitely the book to buy on the Marvel side.

I’ve been hearing a great deal about the Last Defenders, which has a new line-up for the off-on superhero team serving a mysterious purpose with Nighthawk in charge. I’ve been reading the books since the 80’s, so this I’ll definitely be sure to pick up.

Ultimates 3 also ships its fourth issue. Joe Madueria is certainly keeping up to task on these issues. As I said before. I’m way behind on the Ultimates and largely waiting for the trades - the issues sell way too quickly at my local comic book store.

X-Factor #29 finds X-Factor Investigations - one of the most dysfunctional teams in probably comic book history - oddly enough one of the only X-Teams standing after the events of Messiah Complex. But with the team still on the verge of fractioning, it might not stay that way for long.

Onto DC - Booster Gold is one I’ve really been meaning to pick up. After interacting with the past for the last six issues, it looks like things are pretty bad for Booster, as the future has changed - Blue Beetle is still alive, but so is Maxwell Lord, and a whole horde of OMAC’s! Again, this is one that I really need to remember to pick up next time I’m in the comic shop.

I expect Countdown to Mystery #6 to have an added value, as among the last stories written by the late, great Steve Gerber. This is too bad, as its one comic fans should have always been following - Doctor Fate has never been cooler. I just wish the same could be said about Eclipso.

Justice League of America #19 collides directly with Salvation Run, as the Justice League turns themselves over to US custody - to wind up on a planet filled to the brink by supervillains and lead by some of their greatest enemies. I’m sold!

Speaking of Salvation Run, Catwoman finds herself getting closer and closer to the creepy implications hinted at in the Final Crisis promos, and one that almost certainly involve the Joker! I wish this one was still written by Bill Willingham, but  its certainly one of the best series put out by DC right now.

Gail Simone also starts a two-part Wonder Woman tale in issue #18 with new artist Bernard Chang. This is one book that should on every comic geek’s list - for once, Wonder Woman is looking, sounding and acting a whole lot better than the rest of her Big Three counterparts.

That’s it for this week - see ya next time with more comic reviews!

If you liked that, try...

1. Comic Rundown: Nova Still Rocks and Captain Marvel’s a Skrull
2. Comic Rundown: Mr. Freeze Strikes Midwest
3. Comic Book Rundown: Warlock, Winter and Winick
4. Comic Rundown: Who Do You Trust and What Do You Buy?
5. Comic Rundown: Skrulls and Super Friends

No Comments »

No comments yet.

Leave a comment