Weekly Pick-Ups 1/22/14

We’re almost caught up! Here’s last week’s pick-ups! If you read 2 weeks ago (1/8) you’ll remember that Deanpool said he wouldn’t move forward with collecting Avengers World  and Black Widow and opt to just get the trade paperback for those when they come out. But X-Factor did get picked up along with Avengers. There are two new comers to Weekly Pick-Ups with the debut of All-New Invaders and Deanpool wanted to start the All-New X-Men series with their “Trial of Jean Grey” story arc that ties in with the Guardians of the Galaxy. On the DC side, we have new issues from the popular Batman series and Justice League.

Again, the Walking Dead #120 pictured will be in apart of larger review that Deanpool will do in the near future… likely in anticipation of the premiere of the television series’ next season.

Avengers #25- The cover itself pays homage to the original cover of Avengers #1. And the original Avengers actually does make an appearance as well! This issue is one of the biggest revelations that the Hickman Avenger titles are starting to blend and overlap. The idea of world incursions and the multiverse from the New Avengers is explored within this issue and A.I.M.’s influence and recurring appearances is going beyond just Avengers World as they tell most of the story in this issue. From the look of it, it seemed like Hickman would do something similar to All-New X-Men where the original team travels ahead to the future to meet the current team. But with the idea of world incursions and multi-verse, this may be an alternate team that has traveled into this universe.

Old Avengers and the Current Avengers.

World incursions reaching
into this Avengers series.

The issue opens up with a fallen Ant-Man that clearly resembles Hank Pym’s version of the Ant-Man costume. The rest of the issue is told through A.I.M. as they explore the borders of reality and the universe, which leads to finding a portal that leads to the old-school Avengers’ entrance into this world. It becomes a bit more humorous as the old team ventures out into the modern world and are both confused and amused by their surroundings as they learn that it is very much their own Earth, but a different time. Classic time-travel element. The older team speculates that this different Earth from theirs may be one where heroes do not exist, and eventually claim this world to be an “Avengers World.” Much like the theme of the other Avengers series, Avengers World. The old team causes a bit of trouble, Thor specifically, leading to Director Hill of S.H.I.E.L.D. to question the whereabouts and activities of the current Avengers cast, who the reader knows did not have anything to do with the commotion caused by the other group. That was actually the only Avengers appearance (at least for the cast that is regularly featured) in the whole issue. Again, the Avengers titles are beginning to blend but this series still manages to hold its own and have its own unique characteristics. Deanpool enjoyed the story of bringing the old team into the picture and it sets up where the series is headed in the next couple issues. 8/10 Ant-Man ants from Deanpool.

Better tell Hulk what he needs to know.

"Avengers World".... thought this was Avengers.

Get a better look at both the covers. Pretty spot on.

All-New X-Men #22.NOW- Deanpool has been meaning to pick up an X title (other than the new X-Factor one) with all the ones that are on the shelves at comic stores. Uncanny X-Men, All-New X-Men, X-Men Legacy, X-Men, and the list goes on. All-New X-Men sounds somewhat appealing as it features the original X-Men roster of Cyclops, Beast (before he turned all blue), Jean Grey, Iceman, and Angel. This original cast (who were also joined by Kitty Pryde and newly rescued mutant X-23) travels forward in time to make sure that the mutants are still keeping to Professor Xavier’s path of co-existence between humans and mutants. Deanpool was reluctant in starting it though because it was difficult to imagine what kind of stories can this series give that can sustain it. But the “Trial of Jean Grey” sounds like a genius idea for more reasons that one. With the reappearance of Jean Grey to the world, the alien Shi’ar race is placing the “past Jean Grey” on trial for her crimes as the Dark Phoenix. Genius! Why not utilize this story arc with the return of Jean Grey? Now tie in the Guardians of the Galaxy, the cosmic protectors of Earth, and there are the makings of a very interesting and unlikely team-up story. It’s also pretty clever planning by Marvel to publish a crossover story that helps advertise two of Marvel’s blockbuster movies that are planning to release in the coming months: X-Men: Days of Future Past & Guardians of the Galaxy. But the best part is, it’s doesn’t seem forced at all. It sounds like a clever a storyline that appropriate relates to the two parties involved. Altogether, the arc will take place in three All-New X-Men issues and three Galaxy of the Guardians issues.

Awkward Angel.

The issue itself starts off with some hilarious banter and dialogue. We find Angel sitting in the kitchen having a late meal or dinner by himself, only to be interrupted by Cyclops and Jean Grey. The two place Angel in literally an awkward position as they sit on opposite sides of him but have a tense conversation with each other. Jean has recently learned of what her future self goes through: becoming the Phoenix, hurting many, and eventually dying. Cyclops is wondering how she’s coping with everything and is asking her questions to get her to talk about her feelings. Tensions rise when Jean simply wants it to left alone, but Scott (Cyclops) won’t let it go. Their added humor when Jean Grey beams thoughts into Scott’s head and the only hint to what she said is shown in Scott’s reactions. It’s fun stuff to read. It gives a feel of a classic high school lunchroom scene where you have the power couple getting into an argument and the rest of us feel like Angel as we awkwardly follow along while trying to mind our own business. All the while, the other members of the team were carrying on with their daily routines. Poor Warren (Angel), we were all there for you in spirit. Action picks up when the alien Shi’ar team arrives at the school and kidnap Jean Grey with ease. The Guardians of the Galaxy do get their cameo appearance at the very end, showing that they’ll very much be involved and helpful to this group of X-Men.

You're late to the party Peter Quill.

The art itself matched the tone well, especially in the expressive figures drawn. This X-Men team is portrayed as more childish, since it is their younger selves, and the characterization is matched with their drawing in the issue. The action still showcased the artistic talent as it differed greatly from the otherwise less active, more talking scenes. It seemed like it was too short because the whole issue was so enjoyable and it’s possible that the first Guardians of the Galaxy installment for this story may still act as an issue to set up more pieces of this plot. But still gets a good 8.5/10 awkward moments from Deanpool. Though tied with Batman #27, it was hard to choose between the two but Deanpool really enjoyed the humor from this issue and gives it Pick of the Week.

Derp.

All-New X-Factor #2- Here we go, second issue from All-New X-Factor already. Last time we saw this team they were about to start their first mission to break into A.I.M. and stop the work of Dr. Hoffman. It’s safe to say the previous issue had a good pace to it as it recruited its first three members to the cause. But this issue was over quick. It was action-filled and fast-pace, but it was quite a surprise to see this X-Factor’s first story arc done in 2 issues.

Some old X-Factor faces are seen: Fatale, Reaper, and Abyss. All three are being held in this A.I.M. facility and being used as subjects for invasive and illegal mutant experiments. The writer David did a good job of still giving enough background and context to set up these character's purpose for this title, and still keep the reader interested without being overwhelmed by the character's history. Similar to the first issue, the main focus is centered around Gambit as the voice of this story. The witty conversations between Quicksilver and Gambit keep a light tone for the issue as they carry out this seemingly dangerous mission. Quite predictably, when the evil genius Dr. Hoffman tampers with the powers extracted from the mutants, he himself becomes some multi-powered mutant. But as noted earlier, the issue ends pretty quick. Just as Hoffman becomes this powerful being, Gambit and Quicksilver make easy work of him like a boss at the end of the first level of a game. The art is still one of Deanpool’s favorite features as Di Giandomenico uses an interesting combination of bright colors (like seen in the cover) but it is not looked upon as overwhelming or a distraction to the story.

The teamwork from Gambit and Quicksilver save the day.

It’s hard to take out all that much from this issue since it seemed to end so abruptly, but it still feels like the series is off to a solid start. Gambit is a likeable character to play the lead role and it will be interesting to see if/how the three ex-X-Factor characters join this team with rough history that they have with Quicksilver. 7.5/10 Gambit playing cards says Deanpool.

Will these 6 ever get on the same page and be the new X-Factor team?

Iron Man #20.INH- Didn’t Iron Man #20 just come out? Well this differs but does tie-in to both the “Inhumanity” crossover that has been featured in various Marvel Now titles and the Mandarin/Iron Metropolitan story arc that is happening in Iron Man. Catch up with what’s been going on with Iron Man in the Weekly Pick-Up 1/08 if you’d like more background, but you kind of need background on “Inhuamity” and the past couple Iron Man issues to get a better understanding of this issue.

9 out of 10 Mandarin rings have found a host.
Waiting on Nightbringer.

In the fallout of the mad Titan Thanos’ invasion on Earth, the Inhumans released a terrigen mist onto the world. Now, anyone with the Inhuman gene in their genetic code will react to this mist by becoming apart of the Inhuman race. First they will enter a cocoon as the first step of their metamorphosis, and then they will emerge as an Inhuman. You can learn more about this by reading Deanpool’s Black Bolt post. With all this happening, Tony is hoping to save the future of the human race from becoming extinct through the use of technology and building a better city, Iron Metropolitan. But the Mandarin’s rings, which were believed to be kept under the security and protection of S.H.I.E.L.D. have become sentient and each of them (ten total) are looking for a new host with as the first phase of a larger, mysterious plan. We learn in this issue that 9 of the rings have already chosen hosts, and from earlier issues we know at least 2 of them have been revealed to Tony. From the cover of this issue, it is hinted that the tenth ring will be looking for the perfect host for its powers. We see it consider the likes of: Bruce Banner/Hulk; the Inhuman Queen, Medusa; Longshot; the Venom symbiote; and Red Skull. As the ring considers each candidate, it gives a very detailed analysis of the pros and cons of each with respect to the ring’s plans with the host. While it would be scary to see someone as powerful as Red Skull or the Venom symbiote with a Mandarin ring, the ring knows that it could also lead to potential backfire. A perfect candidate would be someone who has strong will and motivation, but can be easily manipulated. Deanpool chuckled at a couple of details that the ring gave such as how the ring would fit on Bruce Banner’s finger, but there may be some issues when he becomes a giant green-fingered Hulk. Or the awkwardness of Longshot’s hand only having three fingers. Or even the idea that the ring would look to the Venom symbiote as a host, but the symbiote itself also looks for a host. Host within a host = Host-ception.

Medusa. Longshot. Hulk. Venom symbiote. Red Skull.

Any of these would've been destructive with the Mandarin ring.

In the end, the ring chooses some nobody named Victor that gets introduced in this issue. The man chosen had issues with his family who all underwent the Inhuman process at the same time and when he didn’t, he felt that he wasn’t blood-related. He went on to believe this was the reason his family was always “so against him.” Another key element that the rings were looking for was a motivation for vengeance against Tony Stark. After the ring chooses this man, Victor (who was pretty drunk at the time), as a host, his first plan is to attack the Inhuman government facility where many of the cocoons were being held. Iron Man arrives on the scene to try to settle the situation, but the ring teleports Victor out of there before Iron Man can do anymore damage to its host. It is then revealed that Victor was in fact an Inhuman and undergoes his transformation process. His guilt kicks in as he realizes that he was apart of his family all along, and the Medusa informs him that the process varies for different people depending on their environment. Victor did not live at home with his family and thus did not receive the same amount of exposure. Regardless, he now has taken his Inhuman form with someone to blame. Cue manipulation by the Mandarin ring to point blame at Tony Stark for not being able to contain him and stop him from attacking the facility. Biggest take-away from this extra story we get in the Iron Man series is that the Mandarin rings are getting in position to move into the next phase of their dark plan against Tony Stark. Nothing big revealed as far as the Inhumans story, but it does show how far the terrigen mist influence is reaching as it affects the Iron Man series as well as many others. Not a necessary story for the current story arc, but a fun one that did not seem to force the “Inhumanity” tie-in. 8/10 Mandarin rings for this one from Deanpool.

The tenth ring has found its host. And it's an Inhuman. Will Victor now get twice the powers?

Batman #27- More Batman in this Bat-filled month. This issue is still carrying over from the “Zero Year” arc as Batman must deal with a deadly foe in Dr. Death while figuring out a way to solve the blackout caused by the Riddler. This Dr. Death character has been going around to his colleagues and injecting them with a serum that forces their bones to essentially grow like beanstalks, which essentially kills them. It isn’t until the end of this issue that Batman deduces that the Riddler is the mastermind that has been tied into all these events from its beginning. But hey, it’s year zero, let’s give Batman the benefit of the doubt that he is not a master detective just yet. At least he still figures it out eventually.

It's elementary my dear Batman.

But perhaps the main plot for this issue is the developing connection between Batman and Jim Gordon. From the issue before, the relationship between Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon look more hostile than the mutual partnership we are accustomed to seeing. We learn in issue #26 that due to a memory that Bruce has of Gordon from the past, he has trouble trusting Gotham Police but Jim Gordon especially. As with the past issues, telling a Batman story set in the past requires a good amount of textual explanations. This issue isn’t any different but does a good job in developing Jim Gordon’s character. Gordon helps out Batman after Batman was ambushed by the rest of Gotham police and then reveals why he chooses to side with Batman rather than the rest of GCPD. This is the chance for Gordon to tell his side of the story to both Batman and the reading audience. He goes on to tell a lengthy story that involves evil dog-fighting rings and threats with corrupt cops and gangs. While Bruce was under the impression that Jim was apart of the corruption with Gotham police, Jim Gordon proves that he does not support this corruption but was actually blind to it the whole time. His own partner was involved with these dog-fighting rings. When Gordon confronted his partner and threatened to go the commissioner, his partner reveals that the commissioner is in on it too. Gordon’s true character is revealed when he is placed in the dog pit and has to fight his way out to stay alive. Despite his condition from the fight, he chooses to walk away from the group before starting any more trouble. Turns out this was also the same night Bruce’s parents died that night in Crime Alley. The disappointed look on young Bruce Wayne’s face from the past is embedded into Gordon’s memory and is his driving force to fight Gotham’s corruption from within, but respects Batman’s method of fighting outside the law. Though he doesn’t know the actual connection, Gordon relates Batman bringing hope back to Gotham in a similar way that Bruce Wayne’s return has done the same for Gotham citizens.

Jim Gordon vs. the dogs.

This contrast in tone is subtle but present. Gordon has more hope and a lighter view on Gotham’s future while Batman’s is much darker. In the end, Alfred reveals a very different psyche of Bruce Wayne than we are accustomed of seeing. Not the motivation for justice or the vengeance against Gotham’s evil for his parents. Alfred craftily proposes that Batman is Bruce’s form of punishment for those who left him alone in the world. No one was there for him when his parents died, not Alfred, not Jim Gordon, no one. Gordon was present at the scene, but was too late. And despite his revelation of the police’s corruption, at this point in the timeline Gordon hasn’t made any large strides in ridding Gotham of its evil. Bruce ignores this psychological analysis from Alfred to go out and continue his work as Batman. It was a bold move by Snyder but it was one that Deanpool enjoyed. It really plays into Batman’s dark nature while still keeping his character intact. A pretty heavy issue, but with Batman learning of Riddler’s involvement in everything, perhaps more action is reserved for later issues. The storytelling is well done and showed a lot of insight into two important characters. 8.5/10 Riddler riddles from Deanpool.

Batman is out to punish us all, "by making us bear witness."

Cyborg 2.0

Justice League #27- The last couple Justice League issues have been ways for publishers to tell the origins of the members of the Crime Syndicate. Finally, they have broken from this path and we see more of a story that’s moving forward with the “Forever Evil” arc. One of the Forever Evil issues concluded with a defeated Batman and Catwoman dragging the human remains of Victor Stone/Cyborg. Left with his father and Dr. Morrow who have been camped out in one S.T.A.R. labs most secure laboratories, Victor asks his father to build him another Cyborg suit so that he could rejoin the fight against the Crime Syndicate and his Cyborg counterpart. Though Dr. Stone refused to listen to his son’s commands, Dr. Morrow and Victor convinced him that if there were any hope to take down this evil group Cyborg would have to be involved. In addition, Cyborg gets a cool makeover as he gives some specifications to how he wants his new suit look like and features he’ll need from his experiences.

After watching Justice League: War, which is loosely based off the early issues of Justice League, Deanpool gets a better telling of how Victor Stone first became Cyborg and his character’s issues dealt mainly with him feeling out of place in the world as a half human, half computer organism. While he was reluctant about his transformation at first, we now see a more confident and assured Vic Stone who recognizes his role as a hero and member of the Justice League. If Cyborg hadn’t yet earned his place in the Justice League to the other members (and readers), he does in this story.

Some touching moments shared with Vic Stone and his father, Dr. Stone.

Not as much action in this issue as the main focus centers around Cyborg. In the early pages we see members of the Doom Patrol attempt to stand up against Crime Syndicate’s Johnny Quick and Atomica. It doesn’t last long and is honestly forgettable. Deanpool only remembered it when looking through the pages a second time around. There are hints toward Dr. Magnus and the Metal Men possibly making an entrance into the story, and Deanpool hasn't forgotten the Thomas Kord incident from the first Forever Evil issue. He's still awaiting Ted Kord's appearance in the "Forever Evil" arc. The Cyborg-centered story was a nice read and earns 8/10 Cyborg parts from Deanpool.

All-New Invaders #1- 7.5/10. Click for the review.

Thanks for reading! Lots of good comics this week, as seen with the lengthy reviews for almost all of them. And overall mostly good grades for all of them too! No major disappointments and plenty of surprises coming from Marvel’s All-New X-Men and All-New Invaders. But the top two comics are represented by both Marvel and DC this week with the All-New X-Men issue and Batman #27. The next Weekly Pick-Ups post should have less comics, and we’ll try to get that one out as soon as possible! Go pick up some of these issues soon!

Beast- Monkey; Iceman- Penguin
Angel- Bird/Dove; Cyclops- Dog
Jean Grey- Dog, that looks like a pig.
Prof Xavier- A turtle (Hilarious!)