Final Crisis! Astonishing X-Men! 1985! King-Sized Hulk! New Avengers! And More!!

So much great stuff hit the shelves this week, it actually took me almost twice as long to get through it all! I wanted to make sure that I had a handle on all these big issues before reviewing them, and I’m glad I did. With the exception of a few stinkers, it’s a great week, so dive in and check it out.

And don’t forget! The Forecast on The Watchtower will get even deeper into the reviews, but not before we spend some time with our very special Guest: Mr. Terry Moore.

FINAL CRISIS #1 (OF 7)
Well, after what seems like a long wait, DC’s Final Crisis is underway. I don’t know what to say about this book really. Morrison writes with his usual twisting style, but explaining and confusing at the same time. Jones’ pencils look fantastic, and it makes me wonder why he hasn’t gotten more “mainstream” work from DC before. The story is good so far, with one MAJOR death that will have a long-lasting impact on the DCU, I’m sure. The manipulations of the thinly-veiled Dark Side Club fit in perfectly, and I like how DC is easing The Club into other titles (see Teen Titans). I don’t think Final Crisis #1 had the same impact as Secret Invasion #1, but they are two very different stories. I will say this though, we are only on issue in and it’s monumentally better than Infinite Crisis. I’m pretty excited about the next installment.

GIANT-SIZE ASTONISHING X-MEN #1
Let me just say, I hate Joss Whedon. The last piece of the Whedon/Cassaday puzzle falls into place, and WOW. This book has made me go “yeahbuwha?” with every issue, as it honestly did Astonish me with it’s excellence. Cassaday’s art is stellar as always, and my hated for Whedon is simply because he is so damned good. He took characters I cared virtually nothing about, made them interesting, then “killed” off the last person I ever expected him too, my favourite even! Only Whedon could do that, and win more of my respect. I think that in the coming years, this run will be the arc that defines the X-Men. If it meant stopping production on every other X-title out there to get Whedon and Cassaday to stay on, it’s a sacrifice I would gladly, gladly make. If you haven’t been on this book, the trades are out there. Will Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi fill the shoes left to them? One can only hope…

MARVEL: 1985 #1 (OF 6)
Mark Millar returns to the Marvel U, and drags it kicking and screaming into the “real” world. At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of this book, but now that I have gone over the first issue, I am pretty sold on it. The story isn’t as cheesy as one would think it is, and the art is great. Everyone who has ever picked up a comic book has wondered what it would be like if these heroes and villains existed in our world. I’m glad it’s Millar that gets to tell that story.

KING-SIZED HULK #1
What a waste of time. Taking pages that probably came from the editing room floor of the current Hulk series, this book told about four, three-page stories that I really, really didn’t need to know about. I can understand releasing Giant-Sized Hulk to bring people who aren’t familiar with the character up to speed so they will want to see the upcoming movie, but you know what? King-Sized Hulk was simply gouging. There, I said it. Not only wasn’t it a cohesive story that fit into the Hulk series as Marvel had promised, but it was two-thirds reprints. Enough with the bloody reprints. The “Essential” series of books is out there. If I want reprints, I’ll buy those. King-Sized Hulk was a King-Sized steaming pile of something, and I don’t mean a steaming pile of “good.”

ALL-STAR SUPERMAN #11
The second of the three Grant Morrison-penned books that I bought this week was just as great as the rest of the series has been. Quitely’s art is amazing as always, and as the book heads into Issue 12, all the pieces are in place for a blockbuster ending to the story. I know I give Morrison a lot of grief in The Watchtower, but I have to hand it to the guy. He really is in a groove right now, and I can only hope that he’s able to finish out the series he’s begun on the same high notes he started them with. And the best part of this book? No sad clowns.

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #122
A stand alone story featuring everyone’s favourite Spidey whipping-boy, The Shocker! Even with all the Secret Invasion work on his plate, Bendis still continues to churn out stories that put most other books to shame. Immonen’s art is spot-on, and I love how these guys can take a throwaway character like the “Ultimate” Shocker, and turn him into someone that I have genuine sympathy for.

NEW AVENGERS #41
This Secret Invasion Tie-In continues the battle in the Savage Land. A few more Skrull-Heroes are revealed and taken out, but the big reveal comes in the form of some very direct answers to questions raised in the very first New Avengers storyline. We now know who was mining that vibranium in the Savage Land, and more importantly why. I’ll give you a hint: They have ridgy chins. This book also alludes to a much bigger invasion of SHEILD itself. I really like that this book is almost as important as Secret Invasion itself. Oh, and Billy Tan: Amazing final page.

MS. MARVEL #27
The funny thing about this book is that at the end it says “Continued in Secret Invasion #1.” Since Issue 2 of SI has come and gone, I can only assume that this book is waaaaaaaay late, or there was a typo of some kind. Either way, it doesn’t really matter much. Carol’s boyfriend was a secret Kree. She fought a Super-Skrull. Another Skrull blew up the Minicarrier Carol was on. That’s about it. I bought this book, so you don’t have to.

BATMAN #677
Morrison hits the trifecta this week as Chapter 2 of Batman RIP lives up to the hype. The Club of Villains makes it’s move, and Batman’s world is about to be rocked. The only disappointment I had with this issue was the way Morrison dealt with Robin’s absence. Aside from that though, it was a solid issue, Daniel’s art is as gorgeous as always. It’s becoming clear that this probably won’t be a physical death for Batman, which I like. It’s also clear that perhaps there is something to the notion that Morrison’s run has been building to this, and it’s going to be big.

X-FORCE #4
This book is one of the few X-titles (aside from Astonishing) that’s worth reading. Weather that lasts past this arc, I can’t say. Crain’s art is good, it just sometimes gets lost in the extremely dark tones he uses. The book itself was a bloody affair, but it did set up a terrific next issue. This week also saw ther release of a one-shot that collected the first three issues of this series, so it’s a great jumping on point.

THOR #9
It always amazes me how much stuff JMS is able to pack into an issue of Thor. It seemed like there were dozens of plotlines all weaving in and out, and the magic is that not once was a confused as to what was going it. It all made perfect sense. The way the Asgardians deal with the mortal world, and vice versa, is always entertaining, and this book really reigns in the Gods, and makes them relatable in human terms. Also in this issue, seeds of conspiracy are planted, and a battle with some Frost Giants. What else do you need?

TEEN TITANS #59
This book featured an appearance by Final Crisis’ Dark Side Club, and continues the storyline that pits Titan against Titan. It was a decent issue, nothing more that furthering the plot really. The “Dark Side Club” banner across the top intrigues me though, because its pretty safe to assume that DC will put this banner on other books that relate to Final Crisis. That pretty much means they can get away with tying in other titles, which is exactly what they said they WOULDN’T do. Well done DC, you’ve tricked me again.

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Tags: Avengers, Batman, Joss Whedon, New Avengers, Secret Invasion, The Forecast, The Watchtower, X-Men

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