Posted by Richard Pulfer on Sep 16th, 2008
As monkey variants go, the creators of Captain Britain and MI:13’s latest issue have actually put some creativity into theirs instead of half-assing it like the rest of Marvel - the cover has monkified Captain Britain climbing Big Ben King Kong style while carrying a teammate Fay Wray style - and with fighter planes in route. The only downside is of course this situation probably doesn’t show up in the comic - but the issue does have the return of Blade and more Secret Invasion action.
Guardians of the Galaxy ties in with Secret Invasion, as the space-crossing team has a traitor in their ranks. Could this be the traitor Mantis mentioned in the first issue who might just wipe out the team - or is it just another Skrull. And oh yes, there is a monkey variant - but not a particularly good one (or at least, not as particularly cool as Captain Britain’s).
All of this, of course, is to herald the release of Marvel Apes #2, which for some reason thinks opening with an alternate reality ape version of Speedball will persuade fans to pony up cash for this book. It apparently also contains no ads - apparently the advertisers didn’t think so either.
Mighty Avengers #18 introduces Nick Fury’s Secret Warriors . . . errr . . . again! Honestly, we know the roster, we’ve seen them in action at least two or three times since Secret Invasion began, it’s not that big of deal - just get to it already! Still, it’s good to see Nick Fury back in the mix after a prolonged absence.
For something that looks slightly more original, you might want to check out The Age of the Sentry #1, which figures new Silver Age tales to Marvel’s favorite fake Golden Age hero. The Sentry’s been in the background of Secret Invasion, but this comic looks classic enough to be appealing and interesting - I’d recommend picking it up.
Okay, Marvel has one more good monkey variant up its sleeve. Three words: Multiple Man Monkeys! I’ll give props to that. Actually, Peter David’s book has been the most consistent X-Read from the end of House of M through Messiah Complex and Legacy, so its definitely worth a read now, especially as new members Darwin and (maybe) Longshot take a greater role.
Young X-Men #6 has the team that Cyclops (okay, really Donald Pierce) to take down the not-so-new Mutants forming as their former targets join their ranks, and of course, the words always written at least once a year - an X-Man (or Woman) will die. And oh yes, there will be monkeys.
There’s hopefully not as many apes in the DC Universe. There is the final issue of Grant Morrison’s critical acclaimed All-Star Superman. If you want to see what they really should have done with Superman Returns, take a peek here! This is well worth picking up when it hits the collections!
Birds of Prey #22 has the team facing off with the Scavengers, but that’s nothing compared to the biggest rematch in all of Final Crisis: Barbara Gordon vs. the Joker.
The Brave and Bold #17 - written by Marv Wolfman - has two outcasts with a lot in common - Supergirl and Raven - tangling with a villain in San Francisco “with deep roots in the DC Universe.” Not quite sure what that means, but I do want to see these two outcasts team up on this one.
Robin #178 - written by Fabian Nicieza - has Robin searching for his mentor during Batman RIP. Not much is known what will happen to Tim Drake over the course of Batman RIP, but it will almost certainly mature the character - if it doesn’t push him to the breaking point first.
Well, that’s it for this week - catch you later with some more comic book reviews next week.
Posted in comics, entertainment, geek
| email this article
If you liked that, try...
- Comic Rundown: Marvel Monkeys Abound
- Comic Rundown: Not So Brand New
- Comic Rundown: Darkness is Spreading
- Comic Rundown: Marvel Monkeys Around
- Comic Rundown: Captain Cold and Puppy Skrulls
Podcast RSS
Shawn M.
September 16, 2008 at 9:51 pm
“…with deep roots in the DC Universe.” Hmm. Sounds like Poison Ivy to me, but she’d be horribly outclassed by Raven and Supergirl. I guess they’ll make it work, though, if it is her. The Superman/Catwoman B&tB was surprisingly cute, so I may have to check the next one out.
[Reply]
Devin de Gruyl
September 17, 2008 at 12:33 pm
“There’s hopefully not as many apes in the DC Universe.”
Let’s just hope it stays that way and Didio forgets that, at one time, the DC Universe boasted a “Gorilla City” on Earth…
[Reply]
Richard Pulfer
September 17, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I liked Gorilla City though. I liked JLApe. It was FUN.
But I read the plot synopsis of Marvel Ape and it was not fun. Apparently under their gorilla exterior, the Marvel Apes universe is filled with violent heroes who lynch their counterparts.
It just sounds like a stupid way to be Marvel Zombies but not really.
[Reply]