Quick Hit Review: Dark Reign – The List: Avengers

I had no interest in Dark Reign’s beginning, yet the tail end of the status quo’s existence is dragging me back to the Marvel Universe full force. Dark Reign – The List: Avengers kicks off a series of eight one-shot/special issues that entail what seems to be Norman Osborn’s full-force (if not final) siege upon the world of Marvel Heroes. As Osborn sees it, it is time to bring some real change to the world and take full control of the way things function – mainly the freedoms of the world’s largest super-powered individuals who constantly threaten his presence at the top.

This book did what all event-focused books should: take existing characters that we all know at the core and study them from another angle while exploring their reactions, attitudes and character under unusual and even extreme circumstances. Bendis does this by simply focusing on two different sides of the Norman Osborn argument: kill him or bring him to justice? The idea creates an interesting divide within the Avengers team, and it also allows reflects upon what makes the characters of Captain America, Spider-man and Clint Barton who they are. Ultimately, this question is what moves the plot of the issue and places a specific character in an interesting position which will surely see farther exploration in the core Avengers book (New Avengers).

The artwork within this issue is also very well produced – the tag team of Djurdjevic, Morales and Gracia work well in their collaboration implanting a tone of desperation and almost futility. Djurdjevic also captures the sequential feel quite nicely, which is shocking for the amount of cover work he produces.

All and all, this was well worth the read and adds to my growing curiosity of the current Marvel Comics landscape. Yet, to place a warning to potential consumers, this book is not oversized for the 3.99 price tag. It may feel heavy when picked off the spinner rack, but don’t let the dual eight-page previews of Dark Reign – The List: Daredevil & Dark Reign – The List: X-Men fool you. But, I will not linger on that complaint – I still bought it holding that knowledge after all. But yes, Dark Reign: The List – Avengers is a nice example of a good event-centric comic book; it packs interesting looks at favorite characters, gorgeous artwork and a cliff-hanger that leaves the reader curious for more.

Written By: Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils: Marko Djurdjevic
Inks: Mark Morales
Colors: Marte Gracia

Marvel Noise Episode 68

wolvfc12We’re talkin’ Thunder God this week with thoughts on Thor #12 and #600.  Pat has the new releases and Steve impresses us with the first part in his series on the DeFalco and Ryan Fantastic Four.  Plus, not one, but two messages from Chris Chavez, aka Equinox!

Titles mentioned this week include Thor and Captain Britain and MI:13.

Discuss this episode.
Discuss previous Marvel Noise episodes here.

Ric Seaberg, Smiley Emoticon (http://www.ricseaberg.com/)

Random Thoughts Escaping (http://randomthoughtsescaping.blogspot.com/)
El Dave Photography (http://eldavephoto.blogspot.com/)
Dave Wachter’s Sketchblog (http://davedrawscomics.blogspot.com/)
Pat Loika’s Sketchblog (http://patsketch.blogspot.com/)
Cactus Comics (http://www.cactuscomics.net/)
What Kind of Trouble Did I Get Into Today? (http://mikeysims.blogspot.com/)

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Marvel items shipping 2/25/09:

Avengers The Initiative #22 (Dark Reign Tie-In) $2.99
Captain America Vol 5 #47 $2.99
Dark Avengers #1 2nd Ptg Mike Deodato Jr Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In) $3.99
Dark Reign Files $4.99
Dark Tower Treachery #6 Regular Jae Lee Cover $3.99
Dr Doom And The Masters Of Evil #2 $2.99
Enders Shadow Battle School #3 $3.99
Fantastic Four Vol 3 #554 Top Cow Marc Silverstri Variant Cover – [PI]
Fantastic Four Vol 3 #564 $2.99
Ghost Rider Danny Ketch #5 $3.99
Hulk Vol 2 #10 Incentive Art Adams Variant Cover – [PI]
Hulk Vol 2 #10 Regular Left Side Defenders Cover $3.99
Hulk Vol 2 #10 Regular Right Side Offenders Cover $3.99
Incredible Hercules #126 $3.99
Kick-Ass #1 Umpteenth Ptg $2.99
Kick-Ass #2 Umpteenth Ptg $2.99
Kick-Ass #3 Umpteenth Ptg $2.99
Kick-Ass #4 Umpteenth Ptg $2.99
Lords Of Avalon Knight Of Darkness #4 $3.99
Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four #45 $2.99
Marvels Eye Of The Camera #4 Black & White Version $3.99
Marvels Eye Of The Camera #4 Regular Version $3.99
Marvel Illustrated Treasure Island TP $14.99
Marvel Masterworks Atlas Era Strange Tales Vol 2 HC Regular Dust Jacket $59.99
Marvel Masterworks Atlas Era Strange Tales Vol 2 HC Variant Dust Jacket $59.99
Marvel Masterworks Mighty Thor Vol 8 HC Regular Dust Jacket $54.99
Marvel Masterworks Mighty Thor Vol 8 HC Variant Dust Jacket $54.99
Mighty Avengers #22 (Dark Reign Tie-In) $2.99
Ms Marvel Vol 2 #36 (Dark Reign Tie-In) $2.99
New Avengers #50 Regular Billy Tan Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In) $4.99
New Avengers #50 Variant Kubert Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In) $4.99
Nova Vol 4 #22 $2.99
Runaways Vol 3 #7 $2.99
Scourge Of The Gods #2 $5.99
Secret Invasion Black Panther TP $12.99
Secret Invasion Runaways Young Avengers TP $12.99
She-Hulk 2 #38 $3.99
Skaar Son Of Hulk #8 Incentive Ron Lim Variant Cover – [PI]
Skaar Son Of Hulk #8 Regular David Yardin Cover $2.99
Skrulls vs Power Pack TP Digest $9.99
Thunderbolts #129 Incentive Clint Langley Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In) – [PI]
Thunderbolts #129 Regular Francesco Mattina Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In) $2.99
Ultimate Spider-Man #131 (Ultimatum Tie-In) $2.99
War Machine Vol 2 #3 (Dark Reign Tie-In) $2.99
Wolverine First Class #12 $2.99
Wolverine Origins #33 (Dark Reign Tie-In) $2.99
Wonderful Wizard Of Oz #2 2nd Ptg Skottie Young Variant Cover $3.99
X-Force Vol 3 #12 $2.99
Ythaq Forsaken World #3 $5.99

Product Updates:

  • Captain America #47 (DEC082361D, $2.99; FOC 01/29/09) will have art by Butch Guice, not Steve Epting.
  • The previously unannounced cover artist for The Dark Tower: Treachery #6 Variant (DEC082331D, $3.99; FOC 02/05/09) will be Dennis Calero.
  • Dr. Doom and the Masters of Evil #2 (DEC082365D, $2.99; FOC 02/05/09) will have art by Jon Buran, in addition to the previously solicited Patrick Scherberger.
  • Incredible Hercules #126 (DEC082374D, $3.99, FOC 02/05/09) will be rated T+, not A.
  • Ms. Marvel #36 DKR (DEC082316D, $2.99; FOC 02/05/09) will have a new cover by Phil Jimenez that was previously solicited as the cover to Ms. Marvel #37 DKR (JAN092485D, $2.99; FOC 03/05/09), which will now have a new, previously unseen Phil Jimenez cover.
  • Nova #22 (DEC082385D, $2.99; FOC 02/05/09) will have art by Andrea Di Vito, not Wellinton Alves.
  • She-Hulk 2 #38 (DEC082390D, $3.99) will be 40 pages, not 48 pages. No content has been changed.
  • Skaar, Son of Hulk #8 (DEC082391D, $2.99; FOC 02/05/09) & #9 (JAN092525D, $2.99; FOC 03/05/09) will have art by Ron Lim, not Jackson Guice.
  • War Machine #3 DKR (DEC08 2318, $2.99) is now Rated T+, not A.
  • Wolverine: First Class #12 (DEC082409D, $2.99; FOC 02/05/09) will have art by Scott Koblish, not Wil Quintana

Marvel Noise Episode 28: X-Men 20, Page 9, Panel 4

Just when you thought it was safe to get comfortable… Our host’s wife is on vacation, and that means what was once standard recording procedure is slightly off-kilter. But have no fear! That’s not gonna stop the new releases from being rambled off or Backwards Dave from giving us a swell Bring ’em Back or Pat Loika from giving us some insight on what went down in recent Avengers issues! There’s also a voicemail from Carlos, giving use his thoughts on Echo. Plus, Marvel Tales!

Titles mentioned include Amazing Spider-Man, Cable, Kick-Ass, Moon Knight, Omega: The Unknown, Punisher War Journal, Secret Invasion, Young X-Men, and X-Men: First Class.

Get it here.
Discuss this episode on the Marvel Noise forum.

Comic Addiction (http://www.comicaddiction.com/)
Jinxworld Secret Invasion Portal (http://jinxworld.com/secretinvasion/)
The POWERS Podcast (http://hiddenrobot.com/POWERS/)
Comic Book Noise Episode 100 (http://www.comicbooknoise.com/?p=1600)
Around Comics (http://aroundcomics.com/)

Bring ’em Back thread (http://www.thecomicforums.com/forum2//index.php?showtopic=125661)
Marvel Tales thread (http://www.thecomicforums.com/forum2//index.php?showtopic=125653)

Gone & Forgotten: Classic Articles: Super Boxers (http://ape-law.com/GAF/2007/08/classic-article-super-boxers.html)

The Groove Mine, The Fray (http://www.myspace.com/thegroovemine)

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Marvel items on sale, 4.2.08


Comics

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #555 (and VARIANT)
COVERS BY: CHRIS BACHALO and SIMONE BIANCHI
WRITER: ZEB WELLS
PENCILS: CHRIS BACHALO
INKS: TIM TOWNSEND
Month Four of Brand New Day is upon us and so is the worst blizzard in the history of New York City! It’s colder than an outdoor hockey game in January out there and your favorite Wall-Crawler (aided by his Avengers buddy, Wolverine) must find his way through the cold to rescue a doctor who may know the real secret behind the deadly storm.
Rated A …$2.99

Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Guilty Pleasures #10 (of 12), $2.99

CABLE #2 (and VARIANT)
COVERS BY: ARIEL OLIVETTI and DAVID FINCH
WRITER: DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
PENCILS: ARIEL OLIVETTI
COLORED BY: ARIEL OLIVETTI
A new ongoing series spinning out of the decade’s biggest X-Men event! The future of mutantkind continues here!
There’s only one thing worse than a heavily-armed man with murder on the brain. And that’s several heavily-armed men, none of whom give a damn about Cable’s mission to save mutantkind from total extinction. Meanwhile, Cable’s newest enemy—Lucas Bishop—crawls back from bloody oblivion and tracks down his quarry the hard way: one brutal time jump after another. When Bishop finally catches up wit Cable, he’s not going to be in the mood for small talk. It’ll be kill first, ask questions later.
Rated T+ …$2.99

Clandestine #3 (of 5), $2.99
Dark Tower Long Road Home #2 (of 5) (and Jae Lee Sketch and Quesada Variants), $3.99

KICK-ASS #2
COVER BY: JOHN ROMITA JR.
WRITER: MARK MILLAR
PENCILS: JOHN ROMITA JR.
Sickening violence… just the way you like it. The most screwed-up superhero comic of all time continues in what’s sure to be the most exciting launch of 2008. What would happen if you tried to be a super hero? What would happen when an ordinary man in a latex suit comes face-to-face with the criminal underworld? Read about super heroes like you’ve never seen them before and feel happy that you are living here right now when this book is being published. Your grandchildren will only envy you. Comics just don’t get better than this.
Mature …$2.99

Logan #2 (of 3) (and Black and White Variant), $3.99
Lords Of Avalon Sword Of Darkness #3 (of 6), $2.99
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #38, $2.99
Marvel Spotlight Iron Man Movie, $2.99
Marvel Two-In-One #10, $4.99

MOON KNIGHT #17
COVER BY: ARTHUR SUYDAM
WRITER: MIKE BENSON (with CHARLIE HUSTON co-plotting)
ART: MARK TEXEIRA (with JAVIER SALTARES on layouts)
“GOD AND COUNTRY,” PART 4
In the age of the Superhuman Registration Act, the only good hero is one that plays by the book — which the card-carrying Moon Knight most assuredly does not. Indeed, with Moon Knight fast becoming the poster child for recklessness and brutality, the question of the day is just how he got a Registration Card in the first place! As Tony Stark’s investigation unearths the ugly truth, Marc Spector braces himself for the consequences, unaware that an equally grave threat is preparing to strike. Carson Knowles — a.k.a. the Black Spectre — is back and he wants payback.
Parental Advisory …$2.99

New Exiles #4, $2.99

OMEGA: THE UNKNOWN #7
WRITER: JONATHAN LETHEM and KARL RUSNAK
PENCILS: GARY PANTER and FAREL DALRYMPLE
INKS: FAREL DALRYMPLE
You know a super hero’s in trouble when he resorts to drawing a comic book to try to solve his problems! Omega The Unknown #7, on top of the usual stellar array of talent, features special guest-star creator Gary Panter, known for his work on a legendary children’s show, Frank Zappa’s album covers, and RAW Magazine — but he’s never been between Marvel’s covers before. Tune in!
Rated T+ …$2.99

PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #18
COVER BY: ALEX MALEEV
WRITER: MATT FRACTION
PENCILS and INKS: HOWARD CHAYKIN
One word: JIGSAW. In this prelude to the next major story-arc in PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL, we get to spend a little time with the man, the myth, and the monster that’s earned the right to call himself the Punisher’s arch-nemesis. What is it about Frank Castle that makes this otherwise sane, if a little sinister, gangster go absolutely and completely insane whenever he’s around? What buttons can Frank possibly push that pushes Jigsaw over the edge of sanity? Find out straight from the horse’s mouth, kiddies: JIGSAW starts here, ends in blood, and features a whole lot of violence in-between. By Matt Fraction (IMMORTAL IRON FIST, Casanova) and Howard Chaykin (WOLVERINE).
Rated T+ …$ 2.99

SECRET INVASION #1 (and MCNIVEN, MCNIVEN SKETCH, and YU VARIANTS)
COVERS BY: GABRIELE DELL’OTTO, STEVE MCNIVEN, and LEINIL YU
WRITER: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
PENCILS: LEINIL FRANCIS YU
INKS: MARK MORALES
SECRET INVASION IS HERE!! Years in the making, months in the teasing… and it all STARTS HERE!!
The shape-shifting alien race known as the Skrulls has secretly infiltrated every super-powered organization on Earth with one goal…full-scale invasion! In this DOUBLE-SIZED first issue, page after page unveils reveal after reveal and shocking moment after shocking moment! Brian Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu leap off the pages of mega-hit New Avengers and deliver a story that will change the Marvel Universe forever.
THE MARVEL UNIVERSE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!!
Rated T+ …$3.99

Spider-Man Family #8, $4.99

THE TWELVE #4
COVER BY: KAARE ANDREWS
WRITER: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
PENCILS: CHRIS WESTON
INKS: GARRY LEACH
As the savage murders continue, and members of the Twelve come under a cloud of suspicion, tensions flare, and hero faces off against hero! Plus, the unbelievable origin of underground secret agent Rockman!
Rated T+ …$2.99

Ultimates 3 #3 (of 5) 2nd Printing Wraparound Variant, $2.99
X-Force #2 2nd Printing Crain Variant, $2.99
Young Avengers Presents #3 (of 6), $2.99

YOUNG X-MEN #1 (and PETERSON VARIANT)
COVERS BY: TERRY and RACHEL DODSON and BRANDON PETERSON
WRITER: MARC GUGGENHEIM
PENCILS: YANICK PAQUETTE
INKS: SERGE LAPOINTE
In the wake of Messiah CompleX, there are no X-Men and young mutants Rockslide, Blindfold and Dust are alone and directionless. Until the day Cyclops recruits them to hunt the new incarnation of the Brotherhood – and kill them. Joined by a pair of new recruits, the young X-Men learn a hard truth about the world post-Messiah CompleX: sometimes old allies make for deadly enemies.
Rated A …$2.99


Collections

ESSENTIAL IRON MAN VOL. 3 TPB
COVER BY: GEORGE TUSKA
WRITERS: ARCHIE GOODWIN, MIMI GOLD, ALLYN BRODSKY and GERRY CONWAY
PENCILS: GEORGE TUSKA, JOHNNY CRAIG, DON HECK and GENE COLAN
Shellhead’s rogues gallery grows during his first faceoffs with the Controller, Mordecai Midas, Firebrand and Spymaster — all enemies destined to plague him for years to come! Meanwhile, Tony Stark splits his life among LMD impostors, but will he lose his heart to Madame Masque? Plus: attacks by aliens, androids, organized crime and more! Guest-starring Daredevil, the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D.! Collecting IRON MAN #12-38 and DAREDEVIL #73.
All Ages …$16.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2764-2

HULK: PLANET HULK TPB
COVER BY: LADRÖNN
WRITER: GREG PAK
PENCILS: CARLO PAGULAYAN, AARON LOPRESTI, GARY FRANK and TAKESHI MIYAZAWA
A whole new world of hurt! Betrayed by Earth’s heroes and exiled into outer space, the man-monster Hulk has landed on the distant planet Sakaar, ruled by the tyrannical Red King. Sold into slavery, Hulk becomes the Green Scar, the planet’s mightiest gladiator – but his new masters get more than they bargained for when he forges a bond of brotherhood with his fellow fighters: crafty insectoid Miek, the horrific Brood, wise rock-man Korg, shadow warrior Hiroim, noble-born rebel Elloe and her loyal guardsman Skee. Together, these gladiators start a revolution that could change their entire world – or destroy it. It’s savage sci-fi fantasy by award-winning writer Greg Pak, guest-starring the Silver Surfer! Collecting INCREDIBLE HULK #92-105, PLANET HULK: GLADIATOR GUIDEBOOK, and material from AMAZING FANTASY #15 and GIANT-SIZE HULK #1.
Rated A …$34.99

NEW AVENGERS VOL. 2 HC (and DM ONLY)
COVER BY: DAVID FINCH
WRITER: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
PENCILS: DAVID FINCH, FRANK CHO, RICK MAYS, STEVE MCNIVEN, MIKE DEODATO and OLIVIER COIPEL
Shedding light on the New Avengers’ darkest secrets! This deluxe hardcover collects NEW AVENGERS VOL. 3: SECRETS & LIES and NEW AVENGERS VOL. 4: THE COLLECTIVE – plus NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL #1, never before reprinted in a NEW AVENGERS collection. In SECRETS & LIES, it’s the debut of the mysterious New Avenger everyone has been talking about! Who is Ronin, and why has Captain America recruited him into the fold? Then, Cap catches Spider-Woman double-dealing the New Avengers and corners her! How did she get her powers back and to whom does she answer? In THE COLLECTIVE, a new adversary with the power to destroy the world emerges from the ashes of HOUSE OF M! The New Avengers’ latest gauntlet subjects them to attack and intrigue as they discover who their most powerful enemy really is! And in NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL #1, Avengers Tower becomes the ultimate battleground as the New Avengers are targeted by one of their fiercest new enemies yet. The all-new Adaptoid has come to take them down – and wait till you see who it is. Plus: An avenger gets married! Collecting NEW AVENGERS #11-20 and ANNUAL #1, and the lead story from GIANT-SIZE SPIDER-WOMAN #1
Rated A …$29.99

SECRET INVASION: THE INFILTRATION
COVER BY: LEINIL YU
WRITERS: STAN LEE, BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, BRIAN REED, and DAN SLOTT
PENCILS: JACK KIRBY, JIM CHEUNG, LEINIL YU, MARK BAGLEY, MICHAEL GAYDOS, and DAVID MACKRetrace the roots of THE INFILTRATION all the way back to the beginning of the Marvel Age of Heroes! First, in FANTASTIC FOUR #2 (1962), it’s a close encounter of the Skrull kind as four shape-changing aliens pose as Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the Thing and the Human Torch in an attempt to destroy the fledgling Fantastic Four! Then, flash-forward to the present day as the SECRET INVASION stands revealed in the pages of NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI, NEW AVENGERS, MIGHTY AVENGERS and AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE. Conspiracy. Paranoia. Betrayal. Who do you trust? Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR #2, NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI #1 and #5, NEW AVENGERS #31-32 and #38-39, MIGHTY AVENGERS #7, and AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE ANNUAL #1.
Rated T+ …$19.99

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS – MUTANT MAYHEM TPB
COVER BY: KEVIN NOWLAN
WRITER: JEFF PARKER
PENCILS: ROGER CRUZ, KEVIN NOWLAN, PAUL SMITH, MIKE ALLRED, NICK DRAGOTTA and COLLEEN COOVER
For millions of years, mankind’s place on Earth was unchallenged – until five young people paved the way for a new kind of human! While students at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Beast and Iceman taught the world what it meant to be X-Men. These are the hidden stories of the team that laid the foundation of a mutant dynasty! Featuring Sue Storm, the Fantastic Four’s Invisible Girl; a trip to Monster Island; and a road trip…Hank and Bobby-style! Plus: From investigating haunted museums to dealing with lovesick dragon men, no mission is off limits for the original mutant heroes. See some of comics’ top cartoonists take on Xavier’s five! Collecting X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (2007) #1-5 and X-MEN: FIRST CLASS SPECIAL.
Rated A …$13.99


Posters

IRON MAN GREG LAND POSTER
24×36 Color Poster…$7.99
X-MEN GREG LAND POSTER
24×36 Color Poster…$7.99