Pick of the Week (PotW):
Die #4 & #5 gave the reader a deeper understanding of Sol’s character and how much being trapped within the world warped him. While his friends were able to grow and become mostly functional adults. Sol was emotionally stunted and damaged. The damage he suffered also impacted his world as Grandmaster. His adjustment of the rules of magic and its tragic consequence on the archemage and his betwitched children was an example of his trauma-induced behavior. Glass Town was at the opposite end of the spectrum and represented the peak of Sol’s creativity. The reveal about the Fallen, specially who they are and how they were created, was completely unexpected. I wonder if the creative team will explain how such an elaborate world came into existence because at this point we only know that it exists and unfortunate souls end up trap there. I appreciate that the NPCs within the world are more than just space fillers and have a level of depth.
Coulda Been A Contender (For PotW):
Immortal Hulk #15 & #16 showed us the circumstances of Samson’s return and tightens the link between the Gamma Irradiated and the One-Below-All. I am curious about how exactly the Harpy returned with the gamma radiation being completely removed from [redacted]. It seems like Gamma Radiation truly is a curse and sticks with the victim. I wonder if the creative team will address how someone born with Gamma Irradiated DNA like Skaar is impacted by this curse.
Justice League #18 – 22 continues with this grand narrative with the introduction of Perpetua and her relationship with the Monitor, Antimonitor, World Forger as well as her connection to the Source Wall, the multiverse, and unexpectedly humanity. The readers along with the Justice League discover that the World Forger’s peace comes at a steep price.
Worthy Mentions:
Electric Warriors #5 & #6 revealed the identity of Firestorm and the origins of the peace that he established. With the revelation of Firestorm’s identity we get a deeper understanding of how petty and vain [Redacted] truly is. I doubt that the last that we hear from him since he’s such a crafty villain with contingency plans.
Fantastic Four #7 reminds us how petty and vain Victor is with his specific prisons for Richards and his family. It makes sense that he would be this extreme because of his “forced” redemption inflicted upon him by Richards. Not sure how Latveria would handle the subsequent release of Galactus since the Devourer of Worlds isn’t the most forgiving soul.
Young Justice 3 & 4 made me wish that this iteration of the team was featured in the animated form occupying a thematic space between the Young Justice animated series and Teen Titans Go (with Impulse inhabiting this chaotic element).
East of West #42 revealed the turn of events that led to the series. The reader also had the opportunity to see how bad arse and formidable Death is. I am still not sure why Death wasn’t reborn in a younger body and in a different gender like his fellow horsemen.
War of Realms #1 & #2 doesn’t feel like the average lackluster mega event. The audience witnessed two major deaths (at least one which will stick) and got to see how much of a tough sonvagun Odin truly is. It also plays on the strength of Jason Aaron’s writing style (aka putting absurd plot points together that surprisingly work). Never knew how awesome it is to see the Punisher blowing away Dark Elves with Logan or Captain America annihilating an Ice Giant.
Feeling Some Type of Way:
Uncanny X-Men seem to paving the way for Hickman’s arrival in such a clumsy manner. The art is good but the characterizations of certain characters like Logan seem to ignore all of the growth/development that the character experienced.
Naomi feels like too much exposition. 4 issues in and we don’t have a clear understanding of who she is. Issue 3 & 4 could have been condensed into one issue. The only saving grace is the Pryce’s art.
The Meh Pile:
Age of X-Man as a whole is a snooze fest. Such a pity that Nate Grey’s character was sullied in such a manner, the creative team should have left him dead instead using him in such a rehashed story.
This review was written in partnership withPop Culture Network. They can be found on their website: www.popculturenetwork.com
