**AS ALWAYS BE MINDFUL THAT THERE WILL BE SLIGHT SPOILERS, READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL!!**

Uncanny X-men 19.N

   

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Artist: Chris Bachalo

Reviewer: Aitch Cee

I think after his Avengers run, I wound up at a crossroads with Brian Michael Bendis’ writing. I am not sure if it’s me but, there are sometimes I read his work and I enjoy it and other times I read it and want to drop it completely. This is one of those times that I feel like I am just hanging on because I sometimes think that BMB likes to let the pot boil but it can take too long for the contents to spill over and when it does, there are times that the spilled contents wasn’t worth the buildup.  So in reading this, there is a lot going on starting with Mystique and Sabertooth harvesting blood from an unconscious Dazzler who Mystique is impersonating as SHIELD’s mutant liason, Maria Hill showing up at David Bond’s residence looking for Cyclops’ hideout and Cyclops chasing after a mutant popping up on Cerebro’s radar which turns out to be a Sentinel which has the power to nullify mutant abilities. After which Scott decides to go to war.

Overall, the story was a decently fun romp that shows that Bendis still knows how to juggle multiple stories within one book. The banter was good as well as some of the story execution, but many of us are wondering now 2 years after the events in Avengers vs X-men, what’s going to be the final payoff with Scott vs practically everyone he pissed off since he had the Phoenix Force?  So are we finally going to see the X-men vs SHIELD?  I guess. Also maybe I am in the minority but I am still trying to get used to Bachalo’s work.  I can’t put my finger on it but I just am not a fan of his artwork in complement.

2.9 (yeah not quite a 3) out of 5 stars

Ms. Marvel 2

 

 Writer: G. Willow Wilson

Artist: Adrian Alphona

Reviewer:  Lee Gordon

What the??

Seriously, what is Marvel doing? I picked up Ms Marvel #1 just to see. I looked forward to Carol Danvers reprising her role in the Marvel universe, even after donning the name, Captain Marvel, but it wasn’t Carol Danvers. It was something new.
We were introduced to a Muslim teenager named Kamela Khan, who didn’t seem to like where she came from and dreamed for something greater. By the end of issue one she got wish. It was good enough I had to pick up issue two.
G. Willow Wilson introduces a bunch of teenagers almost akin to the origin of Peter Parker, with the exception that she has friends. Issue two begins twelve hours after the Terrigan bomb was set off, which means it’s twelve hours after issue one. So I read on, ignoring that little story detail, because this story deals with a teenage girl and no parents would allow there 16 year old child to be missing for that long.

The Terrigan mists still surrounds our future hero, her friends are still inebriated and Ms. Khan is learning a bit more about her self, including a phrase along the lines of “With great power, must come great responsibility.”

But, how does a hero become a hero?

Kamela is freaking out at being the hero she adores, but she is no Ms. Marvel. Her abilities are not super strength or flight. She is not a seasoned officer, nor did she survive deep space.

I decided to write this before finishing this book. I started to write, after I saw the young heroine save a drunken friend from drowning in a river halfway through the comic. And now I have to go back and finish reading, because I’ll tell you, this isn’t Ms. Marvel, it’s something better.

4.5 out of 5 stars

American Vampire: Second Cycle #1

 

Writer: Scott Snyder

Artist: Rafael Albuquerque

Reviewer: Ray Willis

It’s been a year since the last issue of American Vampire came out and Scott Snyder is still on top of his game with this issue. American Vampire: Second Cycle picks up in the 1960’s with your favorite vampires Skinner Sweet and Pearl Jones at the helm with a new villain on the rise. If you’ve been following American Vampire you may know who it is “The Gray Trader”. He is probably one of the most powerful and mysterious vampires out there, in their world. The beginning of the issue doesn’t give a lot about him but what he can do which is also shown in this issue. The story follows the lives of both Skinner and Pearl in two various situations with Skinner as “The Sugar man” stealing cargo’s from trucks, also explaining how he’s been running in circles since he became a vampire and Pearl using her house as a vampire underground railroad which was pretty interesting. You get to meet some of the characters that Pearl has been keeping. The art from Rafael Albuquerque is always amazing to see and I love the use of shading in the series. The colors are amazing as well. This issue has me excited for what is coming next for both characters and I want to know more about The Gray Trader. This is are really good solid issue but if your behind on the series, this could be a good jump on point but I would still suggest to catch up on this current issue.

5 out of 5 stars

 

Daredevil #1

Writer: Mark Waid

Artist: Chris Samnee

Reviewer: Oz Longworth Jr.

If ever there were a Marvel title that didn’t really need a reboot, it’s Daredevil. Mark Waid adopted a title that, despite some bumps here and there (yes, this means you, Shadowland), has been pretty consistently strong in the hands of Brian Bendis, Ed Brubaker and Andy Diggle. It’s safe to say he’s managed to keep the Man Without Fear’s winning record intact thus far.

With that in mind, this title starts off as less of a reboot and more of a “jumping-in point” for those who’ve been waiting for a good time to dive in with Daredevil while still making longtime readers feel right at home. Disbarred with his identity outed to the public (again), Matt Murdock has decided to head west to San Francisco, somewhat unfamiliar to a man whose life and legend is mostly based in New York. Waid wastes no time throwing you right into the thick of things, following Ol’ Hornhead giving chase to a local bad guy. This turns out to be a great opportunity to highlight some of the differences and pitfalls Matt is up against acclimating to a new cityscape with the help of his “let’s say ‘friend'”, Kristin McDuffie. While this adventure seems to wrap up in a single issue, Waid also manages to ask some good questions that’s going to keep us turning the page right into next issue. The fast paced, fun, swashbuckling Daredevil that’s worked for a while now is still a strong fit for this book. It’s not broken and Mark Waid isn’t fixing it.

Chris Samnee seems to have a lot of fun with our hero and his new surroundings. The layouts are detailed yet neat, making the action (which takes up a majority of the book) very easy to follow. I’ve seen movie storyboards that aren’t this simple and clean. And the eclectic color palette in Javier Rodriguez’s ink job is icing on the already delicious cake.

Bottom Line: One of Marvel’s best “quiet-as-kept” books is about to step out of the shadows and into the forefront as a heavy hitter again. Remember I said that.

4.5 out of 5 stars