Here are today's "Guest Reviews" by John McCubbin from Imagination Centre. Included are Marvel's; Uncanny X-Men #4, Wolverine #2, Age of Ultron #6, and Savage Wolverine #4. 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.
Uncanny X-Men #4
How is Magik the only one of the Phoenix Five to come out of the experience unscathed?
And there is something strange going on with one of the other members of the UNCANNY X-MEN.
Preview
Field Trip
I originally wasn't going to get this series, hence the reason I'm reviewing it so late. I did however decide to get it as it had decent reviews, but the main reason was the upcoming Battle of the Atom crossover which features this.
Plot
When Cyclops's X-Men visit the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning looking for new recruits, Emma Frost gets in a heated discussion with the Stepford Cuckoos. Also back at the New Charles Xavier School for Mutants the students pick their own dorms.
Review
This was another fantastic issue, and although I still feel this series is yet to hit it's full potential, it remains to be interesting, and entertaining. Brian Michael Bendis has been doing a cracking job of both his X-Men series', as both this, and All-New X-Men have been amazing, and although they are both very different, they still have similarities. Again like last issue this one wasn't exactly as I was expecting, but as was the case with that issue, Bendis once again made up in other areas. The dialogue throughout the entire issue was brilliant, and really made the issue very dramatic. It also added depth to the issue, which it really needed, as although the dialogue saved the issue from being poor, there were still points that bugged me. Mainly the fact that the events during this issue were a all over the place, changing settings without even a hint, or mention of the fact. There were however some fun points in this issue, and that came with the way Bendis handled the students in this issue, as the dialogue between these character's was simply amazing, and at times very funny, although I'll talk more about the students later on in my review. Bendis did however do an excellent job of adding some emotion to this issue, which yet again helped to pull the overall quality up.
I have to say that I seem to be enjoying Chris Bachalo's art even more with each passing issue, and although I still far from love it, I have been enjoying it throughout this series, and feel that his style really suits the series, as well as Bendis' style of writing. I really liked how Bachalo drew all the character's, both from Cyclops' X-Men, and Wolverine's, as although there were still small things about his artwork on these character's that bugged me, in general it was amazing, and much better than it's been in the past. I especially loved Bachalo's artwork during the sequence between the Stepford Cuckoos, and Emma, as although there were parts of this sequence that had plain white background, it really added mood, and suspense to the sequence, which really made it that much more exciting, and dramatic. I did however find the small panel that showed Emma, and Cyclops during the events of Avengers vs. X-Men to be slightly unappealing, as they looked very awkward, and unrealistic. Bachalo also did an excellent job of the minor action sequence that took place during this issue, showcasing the best of his skills, and why most people love his art. His colours were also once again superb, and the best thing about this issue, and I especially loved how every character apart from Emma, and the Cuckoos were whitened out whilst they were telepathically talking, as it really helped them to stand out.
Read the rest of John McCubin's Review on Comic Vine
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 5/5
Layout & Flow - 5/5
Story - 4/5
Verdict - 4.4
Wolverine #2 - Hunting Season, Part 2 of 4
HUNTING SEASON, PART 2!
Wolverine has to track down a boy on a rampage before he does the unthinkable!
Preview
The Chase is On
I've been a huge Wolverine fan for years, but after the disappointing end to the previous Wolverine series I was a bit skeptical over the new ones. I eventually decided to try both this series, and Savage Wolverine, and am very happy that I have as I've been enjoying both.
Plot
Wolverine continues trailing a child that's somehow being possessed, and lands up bumping into Nick Fury Jr.
Review
This was a good continuation from the last issue, and although it's still not quite perfect, or as good as Savage Wolverine it's still showing ton's of promise, and is still very interesting, and exciting. Although I say it's not as good as Savage Wolverine so far, there has been more issues of that, and on average this has been better over than the first two issue in that series. Paul Cornell has continued to intrigue me with this story, and although it's slightly slow, and not quite as developed as I'd have hoped for at the half way mark, it's still interesting, and entertaining. I also like how the story's very mysterious, and this seems to be the theme for Wolverine the now, as with him mysteriously getting trapped on the Savage Land in Savage Wolverine, and this mystical possession story in this, it's a very weird world that Wolverine's in. But weird doesn't mean bad. I also liked the emotion throughout this issue, as with the sudden change in characteristics from the boy, and the whole mysteriousness surrounding that, as well as the concern and frustration of Wolverine, it makes for quite a suspenseful, and emotional tale, that's also very dramatic.
The art was once again fantastic, and Alan Davis continues to amaze me with his fabulous artwork. I've loved Davis' art for years, having enjoyed it on such things like The Mighty Thor, Captain America, Avengers: Prime, and when I heard he was working on this series I was ecstatic, with that being the final thing that drove me to buying the first issue (as I was disappointed with the end of the last series and wanted to wait a bit before getting this one). I just love Davis' style, and the fact that it's never changed over the years, and although some of his artwork looks slightly cartoon like at times, it's still brilliant, and one of the things I love about his art. The way he draws all the characters is also brilliant, and especially Wolverine, as makes the Ol' Canucklehead look fierce, and powerful, whilst also showing that he cares. I also love the way he draws emotions, especially on the possessed boy, as he looks so timid, whist also looking emotionless at times, which is brilliant. The detail in Davis' art is also amazing, as everything is superbly detailed, and I especially liked the detail in the disintegrating people, as it looked so gory, without being too scary looking. Matt Hollingsworth also done another wonderful job on the coloring of this issue, as he's really seemed to find the right tone for this series, and it works perfectly with Davis' artwork, making the final piece look even more amazing.
Read the rest of John McCubin's Review on Imagination Centre
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 3/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 2/5
Layout & Flow - 3/5
Story - 3/5
Verdict - 2.7
Age of Ultron #6 - Book Six
The heroes take the fight to Ultron...with a near-broken Captain America taking the lead!
Meanwhile, Wolverine takes it upon himself to make one of the most controversial decisions in the history of Marvel comics...
...and you'll never believe who goes along with him!
Preview
The Future and the Past
Saying that this series has been disappointing is an understatement, as it's been a disaster, even though it's had it's moments. It's a shame as well, as I was really looking forward to this series, and now I feel that it's been a waste, and am losing hope that it will become good.
Plot
Wolverine travels to the past to stop Ultron from ever being created, but isn't alone as Invisible Woman (Sue Storm) follows him. Also Nick Fury's team consisting of Captain America, Iron Man (Tony Stark), Black Widow, Storm, Quicksilver, Quake (Daisy Johnson), and Red Hulk (Thunderbolt Ross) travel to the future to stop Ultron, but who will succeed first, if either.
Review
This series just continues to disappoint, and although each issue finishes brilliantly, with the prospect that the following issue will be the same, it still continues to not meet expectation. Brian Michael Bendis has done an appalling job on this series, and I don't really know how, as he's doing a phenomenal job on both Guardians of the Galaxy, and All-New X-Men. I kind of feel slightly sorry for giving negative feedback on Bendis' work on this story as although it's been poor, it's still obvious that he's put a lot of effort into it, which is a real shame. There are however still positives about this issue, as both the future and past sequences were interesting, and the little action we got was amazing, but overall the development of the story continues to be dramatically slow, and at times the story's very dull. I did however also like that there was emotion in this issue, as although the story itself was still very slow paced, and disappointing, the characters emotions were shown perfectly, as you have these people who are generally good natured, but that have had so much taken away from them at the same time, which really shows, as there are characters that are obviously conflicted. I also used to blame the length of this series for it's poor quality, but now that it's over half way it should have picked up, so it's obviously more than that, which is a shame.
The art in this issue wasn't bad, but it wasn't as good a Bryan Hitch's art for the first half of the series. To be honest I wasn't expecting anyone to do a better job that Hitch has, as although he's had the odd moment were his art lacked detail, looking rushed, overall it was phenomenal, and truly amazing. Brandon Peterson, and Carlos Pacheco did however do an amazing job, and the art was brilliant. The detail from both artists was brilliant, as both the character's, and the scenery looked amazing. Overall I don't really know what out of the artwork I liked most, as they both did an amazing job, but I probably have to give it to Pacheco, as his art was much more smoother, and the way he drew the character's emotions was brilliant, and it really gave more depth to the story. That's not to say that Peterson didn't do a good job, as his action sequences were stunning, and the way he drew the futuristic New York City was amazing, but the way he drew facial expressions was a bit weird, and at some points unrealistic.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 4/5
Layout & Flow - 4/5
Story - 4/5
Verdict - 4
Savage Wolverine #4 - Savage Part 4: Resurrection
Enter: MAN-THING!
The Savage Land holds many secrets, among them what could be the key to resurrection...but at what cost?
Preview
Back from the Dead
This has been an amazing series, and although it started a little slow, it's gotten better and better. Unfortunately however due to my comic book budget I won't be able to get two Wolverine series, and although I've preferred this so far, with Frank Cho leaving both writing and artwork after this story there's no guarantee that it will be as good, and I have more faith in what I've read from Paul Cornell's Wolverine series, that in what the possible future of this one will be after Cho leaves.
Plot
Amadeus Cho persuaded the native leader to save Shanna, and they plan on using Man-Thing to do that. Also Wolverine continues his journey to the temple, and hopes to get revenge for Shanna's death on the way.
Review
This series just keeps getting better and better, as although this issue started a little slow, it was still very emotional, and when it did pick up on pace it was phenomenal. I really think that Frank Cho has done an amazing job with this story, and although I was skeptical at first, I've came to love it more and more with each passing issue. What I love about Cho's writing is that it's not only deep, and emotional, with a mysterious overtone, but it's also exciting, as he knows when to add in action, and he doesn't give small portions, as the action is epic, and amazing. I've also loved how Cho's managed to show a new side to the Savage Land, as although there's been some amazing stories told using the Savage Land as the setting, none that have as much mystery centered around the island itself. Cho's art was also phenomenal, but before getting this series I knew that it would, as whatever Cho's drawn has been amazing. The detail in Cho's art is brilliant, as everything's perfect, whether the scenery, the character's, or even the more unusual subjects, like Man-Thing. I've said this in my precious reviews, but I've loved the way he's drawn Shanna, as she doesn't just look beautiful, but also very independent. Cho also does an amazing job of showing the character's emotions, and especially in Wolverine, and Shanna, as you can see the anger, and frustration in Wolverine when he's fighting, and you can see innocents, as well as determination in Shanna as well, which is brilliant. Jason Keith's colors are also once again amazing, as they really make Cho's artwork look even better than they already are, and also add the perfect tone, and mood for this style of story.
The shocking death of Shanna in the last issue was brilliant, and very suspenseful, even if I wasn't happy with the fact that she was dead. She didn't stay dead long though, as using Man-Thing she is resurrected. This was a very interesting way of resurrecting someone, but not really knowing much about Man-Thing I don't know if he's done this in the past. I also found the way Shanna reacted after being resurrected very interesting, and the interaction between herself, Amadeus, and the native leader to be very interesting.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 5/5
Layout & Flow - 5/5
Story - 5/5
Verdict - 4.9
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