The Recipe for 11/7/18
Pick of the Week:
Runaways #15 was focused on Nico and the origins of Staff of One despite the Victor Mancha centric cover. We finally learn how the Minoru acquired the Staff, how the rules/limitations were established, and how her arm was healed as an added bonus. The Staff reveal without being a spoiler can best be described as a variant of the zanpakto (from the Bleach mange)/demon weapon (from the Soul Eater manga) with elements of Shura Kirigakure & Hachirotaro Okami’s relationship (from the Blue Exorcist manga). [Redacted] is an interesting new character who exudes a certain charisma/playful evil of Orochimaru (from the Naruto series). I wonder how [Redacted] will benefit them during their current trial and how this connection will ultimately play out.
The Immortal Hulk #8 continues to have that bone chilling horror element especially in the scene where the Hulk is bottled and in many pieces: that is generally the cue to run like Hell in the other direction. I must say the way the villain was dispatched was very disgusting and unexpected but kudos to the creative team for keeping the readers on our toes and not getting stale.
Marvel Knights #1 reminded me of Wanted in the sense that the villains apparently won and the heroes are consigned to normal lives ignorant of their power/potential. I must say it is always a pleasure to see Travel Foreman’s work. Found out it interesting that Banner is the key to the awakening and Frank Castle appears to be so stable.
X-23 #6 was a very satisfying filler issue and Suki Callum reminded me of the tween Hellfire Club without being annoying/aggravating. You can’t go wrong with robots in my book. Gabby is such a pure and endearing character in the vein of Molly Hayes.
Worthy Mentions:
Infinity Wars #5 revealed the Celestial connection to the Infinity Stone.
Shatterstar #2 made me chuckle that a different type of seedy business involving revolting monsters occurred in Hunts Point (in the Bronx).
Spider-Geddon #3 gave us a very creepy breakout character in the form of Spiders-Man (who may or may not eat people).
Asgardians of the Galaxy #3 surprised that undead Loki didn’t have a scheme to free himself of Nebula’s control. I am also surprised that Nova Force showed up.
Feeling Some Type of Way:
Death of Inhumans #5 get an ending that wasn’t completely satisfying. It didn’t not make any sense that Blackbolt defeated an entire Vox army when one Vox was enough to take out the strongest Inhuman, Blackbolt, and most of the Royal Family. Seeing how it’s comics, the sacrifice doesn’t seem as heavy (i.e. Colossus’ suicide to cure the Legacy Virus, Wanda uttering No More Mutants, etc).
The Meh Pile:
Nothing that loathsome or odious this week.
This review was written in partnership with Pop Culture Network. They can be found on their website: www.popculturenetwork.com
