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Wacky Wizard Games Imprint and Three New Games Announced by @wwizardgames

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Wise Wizard Games announced the launch of Wacky Wizard Games, a new brand imprint focused on family-friendly, lightweight games. Three games are planned for release in 2024 as part of this new brand imprint: Star Realms Academy, Caution Signs, and Pack the Essentials. If you are interested and attending PAX Unplugged they will have prototypes of Caution Signs and Pack the Essentials. "We are super excited to be adding this new family friendly product line to our catalog. We wanted to maintain the focus of Wise Wizard Games on strategy card and dice games with geeky themes, and have created Wacky Wizard Games as an umbrella for lightweight games with a more whimsical, cute vibe," shared Debbie Moynihan, COO of Wise Wizard Games. Star Realms Academy Forge your own star realms, overloaded with cuteness! A kid friendly but still fun for grown-ups version of the popular Star Realms deckbuilding game for 2 players. A little less math, no reading necessary, but still tons of fun! 

Imagination Centre Reviews: @Marvel Thanos Rising, Uncanny Avengers, Wolverine, Age of Ultron @JohnMcCubbin3


Here are today's "Guest Reviews" by John McCubbin from Imagination Centre. Included are Marvel's; Thanos Rising #2, Uncanny Avengers #8, Wolverine #3, and Age of Ultron #8. 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.


See the Review Rating Overview page for more information on how I rate each comic.


Thanos Rising #2


THE RISE OF MARVEL'S GREATEST EVIL CONTINUES BY TWO OF THE MOST ACCLAIMED CREATORS IN COMICS!!


Continuing the jaw-dropping origin of the mad Titan who will soon change the face of the Galaxy!


Death follows young Thanos as his inner darkness grows.


Preview



Becoming a Killer


I'm not the biggest Thanos fan in the world, but I've always been interested in the character, especially after the post-credit scene in The Avengers movie, so when I heard about this series I was happy, looking forward to learning more about the character, and his origins. The first issue however wasn't quite what I expected, but none the less still interesting, and the series looks to be at least good, if not great.

Plot

After learning all he can from his Professor, and creatures, and continues to try different creatures with the goal of discovering the secrets of the cosmos, as well as himself.

Review

This was a good issue, but to be honest I'm not entirely sure if I'm loving this series or not. Don't get me wrong, it's been very different, and interesting, and overall very enjoyable, but it's just not quite been what I was expecting, and that's what has me torn over my overall feelings. Usually a series not being as expected doesn't bother me too much, as to be honest there's very few series that 100% live up to your expectations, but this one being an origin story, and the story that I was wanting to drive me into becoming a Thanos fan I was expecting slightly more. Jason Aaron still did a fantastic job on this issue, and although it's not been better than the start of his Thor: God of Thunder series, it has been better than most of his recent work. What I've probably liked most about the series is that it's delved into showing Thanos' character, and emotions, showing how he wasn't always the evil tyrant that we see usually. At the same time I also think that this transformation from good to bad is taking a little too long, and if it takes the whole series to do this, there's every chance that it may become a bit dull, but I hope that it doesn't, and that we get some excitement.

The art in this issue was brilliant, and Simone Bianchi has once again done a fantastic job, as although I still dislike his art at times, overall it's amazing, and at times really gory. The main thing that I'm still not 100% happy with Bianchi's art is the way he draws Thanos himself, as although I love his covers, which show the very maniacal, and sinister older Thanos, the younger Thanos sometimes looks too gruesome, which although that isn't bad, I still don't love it. The layout of Bianchi's artwork was however brilliant, giving so much more suspense, and drama to the story, also showing just the right amount of sinisterness in Thanos to show that he's changing, but at the same time showing that he's wanting to be good. I also love how this more darker, grittier look to Thanos helps Aaron's story, as it really harnesses all the tone's that a series like this needs, as he knows when to make the art darker, and when to also make it look more light heartened. The colors from Ive Svorcina also really help to show, and highlight this as well. The detail in Bianchi's art was also amazing, as although there were little things that didn't quite look right, the majority of it looked amazing, and the detail was brilliant, including both the small details, and normal details.

Read the rest of John McCubin's Review on Imagination Centre

My Rating


Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 3/5
Layout & Flow - 4/5
Story - 5/5
Verdict - 4.1 - 
(Buy Thanos Rising #2)


Uncanny Avengers #8


Xavier is dead, now begins the age of The Apocalypse Twins! Now begins Ragnar.

Preview



Get Ready for the Apocalypse


This series has a rocky start, with shipping the delayed schedule's hurting the flow of the series, and effecting the quality at the same time. The series has however recently stepped up, and is quickly becoming the series I always expected it to be, and if it continues this way it's only a matter of time before it's the best Marvel NOW! series there is.

Plot

Following the Apocalypse Twins, Uriel, and Eimin's attack, Thor, and Sunfire have to save Rio de Janeiro, whilst Captain America is trapped in Sudan, and the rest of the Avengers Unity Squad go after Apocalypse's followers.

Review

This was a brilliant issue, and although not quite as good as the last issue, or the prequel issue, it was still amazing, and the story as a whole is shaping up very nicely, and hopefully will be as good as I hope it will, which it should do if the last three issues show anything. I always had faith that Rick Remender would make this series a sensation, as although it's taken longer than I'd initially expected, after seeing his work on Venom, Secret Avengers, and more importantly Uncanny X-Force, I expected great things in this series, especially due to continuing Wolverine's journey, as well as now continuing the stories told in Uncanny X-Force. At the same time I love how this story is stand alone, meaning that new readers can get into it without reading Uncanny X-Force, whilst still making it more exciting, and meaningful to people who have. The way Remender has managed to continue the development of the Apocalypse Twins, whilst still having a mysterious, and dramatic feel, which is also exciting, and suspenseful. I've also loved how Remender is starting to show that this story has more to it than it originally appeared to have, with it tying in perfectly with everything that has happened in this series, as well as the character's, and past events, and I look forward to seeing how he progresses this fabulous story.

The art from Daniel Acuña was once again amazing, and I'm ecstatic that he's been able to work on this series, as although the previous art from John Cassaday, and Olivier Coipel was amazing, I just feel that Acuña's art suits this series much more, and especially for this story. The detail in Acuña's art is so brilliant, and amazing that it really makes the entire issue brilliant, and although Remender's script itself is amazing, there's a very good chance I'd get this series purely for the art (but gladly the script is amazing as well). The fact that Acuña does his own inks, and colors however is what I truly love about his art, especially in this series, as although there were times during Uncanny X-Men were it just didn't suit the character's, and story, it does in this series, and especially in this story, as everything from Thor, to the Apocalypse Twins look outstanding, and that's due to Acuña's awesome style. I also loved how Acuña handled the action in this issue, as like the previous issues in this series he's worked on, it just exploded with excitement, and the tone just made it that more awesome. This however isn't all that Acuña is brilliant at when it comes to his art, as the facial expressions are simply outstanding, and although there are other artists I can think of that can do even better than Acuña can, there aren't many who's art's as visually stunning as Acuña's.

Read the rest of John McCubin's Review on Imagination Centre

My Rating



Cover & Solicit - 3/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 4/5
Layout & Flow - 5/5
Story - 5/5

Verdict - 4.4 - (Buy Uncanny Avengers #8)


Wolverine #3 - Hunting Season, Part 3 of 4


Guest-starring Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.!

How will Logan take down a foe with no permanent body to slash and claw?

And what does the Watcher have to do with all of this?

Preview



the Face #1 - Face the Face Going Hunting


I have been a huge Wolverine fan for years, with the hairy little guy being my third favorite comic book character. Unfortunately however the last few years haven't been the kindest to Logan, as although there have been good stories, there hasn't been anything spectacular since the start Jason Aaron's run. Fortunately Marvel NOW! has brought Wolverine back to the level he deserves, as both this series, and Savage Wolverine have been very enjoyable.

Plot

After the Watcher mysteriously appeared last issue, with only Wolverine seeing him, Nick Fury Jr. believes there may be something wrong with Wolverine as there's apparently nothing in the bullet according to Fury's readings. Also Wolverine gets examined, and introduces Fury to his new club.

Review

This was still a good issue but probably the worst in the series so far, as being the penultimate issue in this opening story I was expecting a little more, and was disappointed with what I got, even if it was something different. Don't get me wrong, Paul Cornell didn't do a terrible job, and I still have faith that he'll continue to produce great work on this series, but at the same time he kind of dropped the ball this time round. I do however have to give him credit for trying something different, as although there was one point when this story hinted at possibly being a possession story (something that happens too often in Wolverine comics), the fact that Cornell is trying something different, and unique is a bold move, and although the additional new stuff in this issue didn't work in my opinion, the story has worked brilliantly as a whole, and you always expect some disappointment from opening stories, allowing for the writer to settle in, as well as give opportunity for new readers to easily join the series. Cornell also did a good job of continuing the mystery of this story, as well as adding some fun, and although overall it didn't amaze me, it was still good, and I'm sure the series will pick itself up, and be good again.

The art from Alan Davis did however continue to impress, and although the story itself fell a bit in quality, Davis' artwork didn't. I've always been a fan of Davis' art, but his art on this series, and Wolverine in particular has really amazed me, and is some of the best art I've seen from Davis. Now this may very well be due to the fact that Wolverine is one of my favorite character's, but besides that I feel that Davis' art really suits the little runt, and his rough style also really suits the more gritty feel this series appears to be showing. The detail in Davis' art is also amazing, as although there are times when his art looks a little cartoon like, it doesn't take away from the gritty tone of the story. I especially loved the details Davis put into the backgrounds, as although they weren't anything extraordinarily brilliant, they were perfectly detailed, and really gave so much more depth to the art, which was nice. The action was also handled perfectly, and Davis' style yet again suits this perfectly, with the gritty, and fierce action sequences really standing out, with a lot of excitement, and drama. Davis also did an amazing job with the character's facial expressions, especially Wolverine, and Fury Jr., as Wolverine looked his usual angry self, whilst also showing the odd bit of happiness, and Fury Jr. looked very cool, and collected like his father usually is.

Read the rest of John McCubin's Review on Imagination Centre


My Rating


Cover & Solicit - 3/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 3/5
Layout & Flow - 2/5
Story - 2/5
Verdict - 2.4
 - (Buy Wolverine #3)


Age of Ultron #8 - Book Eight


With the Marvel Universe turned inside out, who will take responsibility for breaking the world? And is there any way to put it back? Wait until you see who is in charge of the new world order and how they got there…! A reality-spanning choice is made this issue that will affect the Marvel Universe for years and years to come.

Preview



Consequences


When this series was first announced a couple of years ago I was extremely happy, and really looking forward to it, but since it's start, and with it now almost being over it's been one of the biggest let-downs I've seen in comics, and to be honest it will be good when it's over.

Plot

Captured by the Defenders of this new timeline, Wolverine is questioned by Iron Man over the death of Hank Pym, whilst Invisible Woman (Sue Storm) tries to escape, and Emma Frost tries to send the Defenders back to their Sanctorum.

Review

Yet another disappointing issue, and to be honest I'd be more surprised to see a decent issue come out of the remaining two issue that follow this one. Brian Michael Bendis has really dropped the ball with this story-line, as although he's had some bad stories in the past, I don't think there has been any as disappointing as this story, and I seriously can't wait for it to be over with. Don't get me wrong there are a few good bits about this series, and this issue, and I have been trying to be as nice as possible to this series, as I don't like being to negative, but it's really hard not to with this, especially when it's one disappointing issue, followed by another. Now the good bits in Bendis writing was that learning some of the history of this alternative future was interesting, and the reaction of the character's from this alternative universe was also interesting, but besides that the issue was slow, and slightly boring. There was however an exciting action sequence, but it felt a bit forced, and unnecessary. Besides that Bendis just continued to develop this disappointing story even slower than he's been doing, and if he is going to end this story with a bang, it better be a pretty huge bang, and even that won't save the story as a whole.

Only Brandon Peterson did the art on this issue, as with everything being set in the present there was no need foe Carlos Pacheco (who was doing the art for the past sequences), which was a real shame as I really enjoyed his art. Now Peterson's art again was pretty good, and normally I'd be happy with this, but after seeing both Pacheco, and Bryan Hitch produce some fabulous artwork it's hard to appreciate this for what it is, knowing that there's been better art on the series. I did however still love Peterson's more grittier style, and feel that it really suits this new version of the present, as it really fit's with the new tone's. I did however find some of the facial expressions a bit awkward, but that wasn't a big deal, and Peterson more than made up for it with a fabulous action sequence that was very entertaining, ans visually stunning. I also really loved Peterson's cover, and loved how it hinted at the content of this issue, without spoiling it early on. Peterson also did a fabulous job of the layouts, and the character's facial expressions, as both were handled perfectly, and really made the issue that much more dramatic, and dynamic, something that it really needed.

Read the rest of John McCubin's Review on Imagination Centre


My Rating


Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 4/5
Layout & Flow - 3/5
Story - 3/5
Verdict - 3.4
 - (Buy Age of Ultron #8)

Purchase Marvel Comics
John McCubbin is a blogger at http://imaginationcentre.blogspot.co.uk/ and a comic book reviewer at Comic Vine. The use of this review has been authorized by the original author.

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