The Marvelite Strikes (Reviews)

Batmanuel · The Marvelite Strikes (Reviews)

Yes folks hes back, the one and only.... Marvel-Lite. (thought i would be kind this week and drop the whore from the title Smile

But what is This... a review of a Non Marvel Title? WOW Laughing

Here I go again on my own, walking down the only road........sorry

Last Defenders

A certain shop keeper thrust this one upon me and shouted review, ‘it could be interesting’ to quote. My initial reaction is this likely to be as interesting as being drowned in acid and the only thing that might be good about it was its got the word ‘last’ and one of six written on the cover. Much to my surprise it turns out it was as interesting as being drowned in regular water, yes you’re still drowning but at least your face is intact.

So here we go again (not on my own), the comic starts with our old pal Nighthawk beating up some poor shmucks with gargoyle who both seem to have signed up for the SHRA. Nighthawk reveals he wants to get the defenders back together, Stark is all for this but with a team of his choice. So who do we end up with? Colossus a power house, She-Hulk a power house, Blazing skull a character Manny says he remembers meaning he hasn’t been seen in my life time oh and he’s a power house and finally we have Nighthawk…..who does what exactly? Oh yeah wishes he was Batman in a very unfunny way.

Just a few points here, Colossus is in the team due to the X-men disbanding at the end of Messiah complex. The problem is that the X-men have pretended to split and Colossus went to Russia with Wolverine and Nightcrawler. She-Hulk is pretty much jipped into joining by a game of ‘I know you are but what am I’. Blazing Skull is like a mix between Ghost Rider (for obvious reasons) and Spider-man, failing at both and Nighthawk…..he’s like the kid you should tolerate but just really need to slap.

The plot is so thin it’s written on air, the art can be terrible at times, these times being when the artist starting drawing. I honestly thought the whole thing was a joke comic which I just didn’t get, but as you read it through again you realise it was meant to be serious. I’m actually sure someone will like this comic I’m just hoping I never meet this person for fear I might have to lobotomise them.

3/10

Nova #11

So now we are very much out of conquest but some of the plot continues. Why they felt the need to remove the additional title from Nova I have no idea. Last we saw of Richard Rider he was infected with the machine virus and hurtling through space trying to find a cure, while being pursued by Gamora and Drax.

Well Nova gets where he wants to be going, but doesn’t quite get what he wants. This issue has the surprise return of an old Marvel character from ages past. Manny would probably say he remembers him. Telling any more would ruin a repetitive in narrative comic. I have really enjoyed Nova since having it suggested to me but unfortunately I felt this comic was a real let down.

The Art remained of a high quality, but it’s really hard to see everything. It’s hard to explain but due to the characters involved and the landscape the detail is to high, it becomes very hard to discern one thing from another. As I said before the narrative becomes very repetitive while leaving you with the feeling that you have read something similar to this in Marvel last year.

The story takes a sharp turn as it ends one arc and begins another and yet the original arc doesn’t seem finished. This may again just be me but it feels like the Conquest title was taken off and suddenly it’s all change. Hopefully it’s just this issue and Nova will get back on track, we are due and annual any time soon too. Not awful just below Nova’s par.

6/10

Thunderbolts #119

I don’t need to review this! If you have picked up the last issue you will already be buying this one, if you haven’t for the love of god go buy every issue since Warren Ellis started writing Thunderbolts. Even die hard anti marvel readers like the forums Rascal king is buying this.

For those that don’t know The Thunderbolts changed during the Civil war, now made up almost exclusively of villains working for the government as unregistered super hunters lead by the one and only Norman Osborn. Members include Venom (previously The Scorpion), Swordsman, Radioactive man and Penance (previously Speedball) and bullseye. Everything is not right between the team, with one member crippled, another eating peoples body parts and more than one on the verge of a mental breakdown.

All I’m going to say is it’s getting better and better. I can’t say anything else as it just ruins the joy of the comic. The writing as always is pure gold and the art suits the comic down to the ground.

BUY IT!

10/10

X-Factor

Everything that was left just went right. X-factor has become possibly the most consistently great X comic. Honestly if I was going to suggest one X comic to somebody it would be a hard choice between this and the new X-force.

Everything has gone to hell, the X-men have disbanded (apparently) and mutant town is becoming a far less friendly place. Mutants who lost their powers but retained human form and being persecuted by those that unfortunately still look like mutants (e.g. horns). X-factor is the only mutant group still known to be still together and then only just. People are leaving left, right and centre. Jamie Maddox the leader of X-factor is trying to hold himself and the team together, but is severely shaken from his exploits in the future with Layla in the future. Enter the return of one of the strangest villains in the Marvel universe and you have the making of a great comic. Not everyone is going to know who he is but you will soon find out.

The dialogue is great for each character giving them personality and feeling. The art is a strange one but I like it, everyone is made individual and easy to differentiate. It’s not the best art ever which is what confuses me but I really like it. This looks to be one of the titles to look out for. Also looking at my handy flyer from Whatever I can see that X-factor is going to appear in Secret invasion, the only X title to do so. Might as well start early and see what you’re missing.

8/10

Dead Space 1 of 6

Yes a non-marvel comic reviewed by me. It’s not quite fair, as I have left my second love and am now reviewing my first. Dead Space is a prequel running up to the Halloween release of the 360 and Ps3 game under the same name. You can watch the trailers here.

Early first look
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/27173.html

Updated look and more gribbles
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/31157.html

Cool huh and no one seems to have noticed it. However due to the fact Whatever have currently sold out of issues the comic is doing wonders. I’m sure Manny or Debbie can order some more in for anyone looking to pick up a copy which I suggest.

I suggest because the comic was very very good. The art is brilliant with shadow and colour melding together to really give you that Ridley Scott feel. You could easily imagine this guy working on an alien comic quite easily. Some of you might recognize the name Ben Templesmith who worked on Image Comics Fell. Ok I googled his work but still, its nice stuff.

The story is based around a Space station that is working on a planet mining and soon discover a tower. Now many on the space ship believe this to be a Marker that is a religious symbol to a cult that has formed in human society. The cult believes this to be the truth they need to prove to the rest of humanity that they are right. The narrative covers the social implications of such a find and how people react to it. However sub plots set up the main plot for further issues. Well written and easy to follow Antony Johnston has done a great job I hope he keeps up for the rest of the series.

Unlike the now AWOL Halo comic published by marvel this is immediately accessible and a worthy edition to the fiction. The Halo comic gave a mini story that feels wholly unnecessary for the series, don’t get me wrong I actually enjoyed what we got, but it didn’t make me feel more informed or any more excited about the game (hell the game didn’t make me more excited about the game). Where as Dead Space lays the foundation of the fiction with perfect grace, actually making me want the game more. Originally the trailers of gribbly monsters and a reminder of Run like Hell on the Ps2 were enough to peak my interest. Now I am more interest in the plot. So job well done guys. The comic will be monthly running up to the release of the game, with the game itself being the 7th part. Worth a look if you’re into games or not, you will recognize the cover from a mile away as the art is amazing.

9/10

Like a drifter I was born to walk alone……till next week people

Yousif

aka Xeall

PS From a certain shop keeper,