Here are today's "Guest Reviews" by John McCubbin from Imagination Centre. Included are Marvel's; Savage Wolverine #2, Thor: God of Thunder #5, & Guardians of the Galaxy #.1. I have also added my rating after each review. If you have any questions about my rating or want to discuss anything just leave me a comment.
Savage Wolverine #2 - Savage Part 2: She-Devil
Wolverine and Shanna venture into the depths of the Forbidden Island...but what will get them first, the Island's inhabitants or their tempers?
Another hero crash lands on the island...but is he friend or foe?
Preview
I've been a huge fan of Wolverine for many years now, with the little runt being my third favourite comic book character, but I've been disappointed with his outings in the Wolverine, and Wolverine and the X-Men series' prior to the relaunched Marvel NOW! I decided to finally give this a try when the second issue was released, but haven't gotten around to reading any until now, with there now being three issues released, and one issue released in the other Wolverine series. I will however be dropping this series after issue 5, as I can only really afford one Wolverine series, and with Frank Cho leaving this series, and a brilliant writer like Paul Cornell, and artist like Alan Davis working on the other I think I'll prefer the other in the long run.
Plot
After a massive fall Wolverine returns to help Shanna face the Reapers. Meanwhile Amadeus Cho has been brought to the Savage Land the same way Wolverine was.
Review
This issue was better than the first one, and Frank Cho is showing that he knows what he's doing. The issue was full of plenty of action, as well as plenty of fun, and Cho has showed that he can write a good story, as well as draw one. I also liked how Cho brought Amadeus Cho (coincidentally they have the same last name) into the series, as I've really missed seeing the character having enjoyed reading him in Incredible Hercules, Incredible Hulks, The Mighty Avengers, and Chaos War and haven't really seen him in much since, but I'll talk more about his appearance later. Cho also continues to give some breathtakingly amazing artwork, and that is the real highlight of the series. The detail is marvellous, and everything from Wolverine, to Shanna, to even the natives, with everything looking perfect. The action is also drawn perfectly, and it gives a very dynamic feel. Cho's art also shows brilliant emotion in the characters, and you can really feel what they feel, whether it's anger, joy, or embarrassed. Jason Keith's colours also heighten Cho's already brilliant art, making it look beautiful, and giving the final touch that makes it phenomenal.
As I said earlier, Amadeus Cho enters the story in this issue, and although I'd been considering getting the series prior to that, it was when I heard he was making an appearance that I decided to get the series, as I always like seeing the character. I really liked his appearance, but I wasn't too sure if he was quite to character. I'm used to reading him when he's with either Hulk, or Hercules, and during that time he's usually jokey, but due to being on his own, he isn't as much. Besides that I liked his appearance, and found it interesting that he entered the same way that Wolverine had, making me more curious about how that happens. It was also nice to see that Amadeus had a A.I. named Calvin (as in Calvin Klein), as it shows that he's been busy whilst away. I also loved that Amadeus had his own armour, and that he was prepared, showing that he doesn't need Hulk, or Hercules for protection. Amadeus also used his armour to help fight of natives, which was a very fun, and exciting sequence.
Read the rest of John McCubin's Review on Comic Vine
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 5/5
Layout & Flow - 4/5
Story - 5/5
Verdict - 4.7
Thor: God of Thunder #5 - The God Butcher, Part Five of Five: Dream of a Godless Age
The shocking finale of our opening salvo...!
As three Thors from three eras race to stop the God Butcher, the full extent of his vicious scheme takes terrifying shape.
Preview
This has been one of the best Thor series in a while, and it's the best series Jason Aaron has written since he left the regular Wolverine series. I really hope that Aaron can keep up this level of quality, as it would be a shame if it slipped in quality.
Plot
It is revealed why Gorr hates gods so much, and Thor finally catches up with him, but is he too late?
Review
This was a very good issue, but there were a couple of things that bothered me, meaning that this wasn't a perfect issue. In fact in my opinion this is the worst issue in the series so far, but only due to a few technicalities. Aaron does however still gives us a unique an entertaining issue, and the direction he's heading with the series I can see the series being very close to perfection, if not perfect for the foreseeable future. I also think that Aaron knows exactly when to transition between the timelines that this story lies on, as he shows some of the past but pulls it away at the right moment so as to keep the reader in suspense.
The art from Esad Ribic was fabulous, and once again he amazes me. I've really enjoyed Ribic's art throughout this series, and it's easy to see why as it's nothing else but beautiful. The only problem I've had with his artwork in the past has been the awkward expressions, but there are very few of these in this issue, but even if there were it is easily forgettable due to the shear beauty of the artwork, as well as the amount of detail in it.I also really like the suspense, and emotion in Ribic's artwork, as it gives the perfect tone that the issue needs. I also enjoy the way he lays the artwork out, as it gives a very dramatic atmosphere for the comic, which is very nice.
Read the rest of John McCubin's Review on Comic Vine
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 5/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 5/5
Layout & Flow - 5/5
Story - 5/5
Verdict - 5
Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1
Move over Avengers...the Guardians got this.
Star-Lord. Gamora. Drax. Rocket Raccoon. Groot. ...and the Invincible Iron Man?!
The Marvel Universe just got bigger as the legendary cosmic epic returns in the hands of superstar creators Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers, All-New X-Men) and Steve McNiven (Civil War; Old Man Logan).
In this special prelude issue meet the man behind the Guardians: Star-Lord... and discover how this child of Earth became the leader of the rag-taggiest of teams in all the Galaxy. All setting the stage for next month's historic Guardians of the Galaxy #1. This is the start of something big, Marvel fans.
Preview
I've never really been interested in Guardians of the Galaxy in the past, but with a film based on the characters coming out I thought that I's try this series to see what it was like. The creative team of Brian Michael Bendis, and Steve McNiven also helped me make the final decision to get this series as I've loved their previous work.
Plot
Meredith Quill is visited by an alien from Spartax named J'son. Whilst they he's fixing his ship J'son and Meredith form a relationship that creates Meredith's son Peter who becomes Star-Lord.
Review
It's always nice to see a good origin story. I personally always like to see origin stories, whether bad or good, but obviously prefer them to be good. This is probably one of the best origin stories that I've read in the last few years. This might easily be down to me not knowing the character, but either way I liked it. In saying that having not known the character prior I don't know what (if any) changes have been made, as changes tend to upset die hard fans. Anyway I think Bendis has done a brilliant job with this origin story, and love that it's exciting, fun, interesting, and emotional. The emotional point was what really drove the story, as it's the emotional tole that the story has on Peter Quill that motivates him to become Star-Lord. This the second series that I have read of Bendis in the Marvel NOW! line (the other being All-New X-Men), and I'm starting to see that he's put a lot off effort in preparing them. I for one hope that he continues this throughout the series as I can see this becoming one of my favourite Marvel NOW! series'.
I've always enjoyed Steve McNiven's artwork, ever since picking up Civil War, and over the years McNiven has became one of my favourite artists (he's in the top 10). I also really enjoyed his artwork in other series like Captain America, Millar & McNiven's Nemesis, and Wolverine: Old Man Logan, and was dying for him to work on something again. This issue he shows exactly why I liked his art in the first place, as it's beautiful, and very detailed. I also love the emotion in his artwork, especially in the sequence when J'son had to leave Meredith, as you could see some conflict in him, whilst seeing that she was upset, and shocked to find out she's pregnant. I do hope that McNiven can stay on this series for a long time, as I was slightly disappointed when he left Captain America after only 5 issues, with help from Giuseppe Camuncoli on the last of them issues.
Read the rest of John McCubin's Review on Comic Vine
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 4/5
Layout & Flow - 5/5
Story - 4/5
Verdict - 4.1
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