The Hulk is definitely NOT your average super-hero, if you even want to call him a hero. He doesn't wear a costume (torn purple pants don't count), he doesn't go out on crime patrol, and his identity is far from secret. Mostly, what Hulk DOES do is smash stuff, shout a lot, and cause panic wherever he goes. Not your typical hero.
True to form, Hulk doesn't really have a typical Rogue's Gallery of enemies either. Maybe that's because most people who run into the Hulk want to make sure it never happens again and, sensibly, try to stay as far away from him as possible. The closest thing the Hulk has to an arch-enemy is the Abomination. He is one of the few villains in the Marvel U who can go toe to toe with the Hulk and still chew his own food the next day. The history between the two characters is pretty ugly too, so it makes sense that Marvel has put together a limited series that shines a spotlight on the Abomination, AKA Emil Blonsky.
Incredible Hulk: Destruction #1 by Peter David and Jim Muniz promises to reveal the never seen before facts about good old Emil. Fans of Peter David's "incredible" run of Hulk stories will be glad to know that a ton of great Hulk supporting cast members are back in this series. General "Thunderbolt" Ross, Doc Sampson, Hulk, and, of course, the Abomination are all here in fine form. David's definitive take on these characters alone makes this book worth the cover price. Muniz's art is a great complement, giving readers all the huge, vein-covered, sinewy muscles you could possibly expect in 22 pages.
The story itself starts when some government official gets the "brilliant" idea of using the Abomination as a sort of one-man Army, to be sent in to depose the occasional dictator or whatever you might normally use an army for. Sending in one huge gamma-powered dude instead of thousands of troops seems like a great idea, right? It will save time, money AND lives. Seriously, what could possibly go wrong? How could someone called "the Abomination" be unsafe to work with? Sounds perfectly reasonable to me.
Really, you just can't do much better than Peter David writing a classic Hulk story, featuring THE Hulk villain. The story is great, the art is great, and if you don't buy Incredible Hulk: Destruction #1 now, while it is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week, you might make Emil angry. And, you know, you really wouldn't like him when he's angry.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
An unwilling team will amuse you: Defenders #1
By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth!! All you foolish and vain mortals must immediately rush forth and purchase the first installment of the all-new, all-astounding adventures of the dynamic Defenders! If you do not heed this call, you may endanger the very reality in which you live, blissfully ignorant of the dire supernatural threats surrounding you-even at this exact moment in time! So says Doctor Strange, and so it shall be!
OK, hopefully that got your attention. You really should read Marvel's new Defenders #1, by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Macguire. The Defenders have always been an odd bunch. They are a team of heroes who don't like each other, don't particularly want to help each other, and don't want to be called a team. The big four of the Defenders have always been Doctor Strange, the Hulk, Namor, and the Silver Surfer. These are not really characters known for their social skills or teamwork. They ARE all known for having huge egos and difficult personalities. As you can imagine, they are as likely to fight with each other as they are to fight the threats they face. They also all love to hear themselves talk, especially by making convoluted and melodramatic speeches. (See above paragraph.)
The Defenders are perfect characters to be handed over to Giffen, DeMatteis, and Macguire. Each of these guys has created great comics working solo, but when they get together they are notorious for writing offbeat, satirical, and just plain funny, super-hero team books. They are responsible for quite a few very silly versions of the Justice League, and for making Guy Gardner the most obnoxious Green Lantern ever.
Defenders #1 will not disappoint readers who are looking for something a little different. In a summer season filled with deadly serious, universe-shattering crossovers, Defenders is a great change of pace. Thanks to a deadly serious, universe-shattering threat ( OK, maybe it isn't all that different) from the Dread Dormammu and his sister Umar the Unholy, Doctor Strange is forced to recruit his old Defenders allies to help him save the day. Needless to say, they are not happy, or cooperative, campers and Strange has his work cut out for him.
If you like your super-heroics with a bit of humor then, by the Rings of Raggador and the All-Seeing Eye of Agamotto, you must make haste to Four Color Fantasies! If you do not truly appreciate this mighty tome, then your hard-earned gold shall be returned! But if you do not at least try, you are truly a craven coward and you may pay dearly for your insolence! And don't even think about making fun of Namor's cute little ankle wings, either.
OK, hopefully that got your attention. You really should read Marvel's new Defenders #1, by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Macguire. The Defenders have always been an odd bunch. They are a team of heroes who don't like each other, don't particularly want to help each other, and don't want to be called a team. The big four of the Defenders have always been Doctor Strange, the Hulk, Namor, and the Silver Surfer. These are not really characters known for their social skills or teamwork. They ARE all known for having huge egos and difficult personalities. As you can imagine, they are as likely to fight with each other as they are to fight the threats they face. They also all love to hear themselves talk, especially by making convoluted and melodramatic speeches. (See above paragraph.)
The Defenders are perfect characters to be handed over to Giffen, DeMatteis, and Macguire. Each of these guys has created great comics working solo, but when they get together they are notorious for writing offbeat, satirical, and just plain funny, super-hero team books. They are responsible for quite a few very silly versions of the Justice League, and for making Guy Gardner the most obnoxious Green Lantern ever.
Defenders #1 will not disappoint readers who are looking for something a little different. In a summer season filled with deadly serious, universe-shattering crossovers, Defenders is a great change of pace. Thanks to a deadly serious, universe-shattering threat ( OK, maybe it isn't all that different) from the Dread Dormammu and his sister Umar the Unholy, Doctor Strange is forced to recruit his old Defenders allies to help him save the day. Needless to say, they are not happy, or cooperative, campers and Strange has his work cut out for him.
If you like your super-heroics with a bit of humor then, by the Rings of Raggador and the All-Seeing Eye of Agamotto, you must make haste to Four Color Fantasies! If you do not truly appreciate this mighty tome, then your hard-earned gold shall be returned! But if you do not at least try, you are truly a craven coward and you may pay dearly for your insolence! And don't even think about making fun of Namor's cute little ankle wings, either.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Living up to its adjectives: Ultimate Fantastic Four #21
A book called "Ultimate Fantastic Four" has a lot of adjectives to live up to. For most comics, being just Ultimate OR Fantastic would be enough, but not for this title. This book boldly claims to be BOTH. Fortunately, the Four do a pretty good job of living up to their billing.
If you have followed any of Marvel's Ultimate titles, you have a pretty good idea what to expect. The book gives readers a somewhat updated and streamlined version of the classic Fantastic Four. The stories and characters are not held back by 30+ years of continuity, allowing for a fresh take on some of Marvel's greatest icons. For example, Ultimate Reed Richards is much younger and inexperienced compared to his Marvel Universe original, and Ultimate Sue is a whole lot less mom-like. Up until now, the characters from the Ultimate Marvel Universe have remained completely separate from the characters in any other Marvel Universe.
It makes sense that the Fantastic Four (Ultimate or otherwise) would be the first to "Crossover," as this story arc is titled. The FF are always exploring the universe and all of its related dimensions and alternate realities. In Ultimate Fantastic Four #21, young Reed, while exploring the N-Zone, discovers a way to communicate with an alternate reality version of himself, who will seem very familiar to fans of the original Fantastic Four. While this may sound like a typical Marvel cross-reality team-up in the making, things don't quite go the way Reed, or the readers, expect. The cliffhanger ending will leave you checking your calendar to get the next issue.
Ultimate Fantastic Four #21 is written by Mark Millar, hot off his very succesful work on Marvel Knights Spider-Man and Wolverine. Millar is clearly having a great time playing with some of Marvel's best toys. Even more impressive is the beautiful artwork by Greg Land. Land is well-known for his gorgeously realistic, and often sexy, cover art and his recent work on Phoenix: Endsong. His art here will not disappoint fans, the realism and detail are amazing. Plus, the Torch's flame looks like it could singe your fingers, and Land's Sue Storm is not at all hard on the eyes. (Not that any of us are that shallow. Especially me.)
Anyway, with the fun Fantastic Four movie out, and an exciting new creative team on this book, you really shouldn't pass up Ultimate Fantastic Four #21. UFF is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week, so run out and try it now! If you don't like it, you can get your money back. That is an ultimate, fantastic, and just plain cool, deal.
If you have followed any of Marvel's Ultimate titles, you have a pretty good idea what to expect. The book gives readers a somewhat updated and streamlined version of the classic Fantastic Four. The stories and characters are not held back by 30+ years of continuity, allowing for a fresh take on some of Marvel's greatest icons. For example, Ultimate Reed Richards is much younger and inexperienced compared to his Marvel Universe original, and Ultimate Sue is a whole lot less mom-like. Up until now, the characters from the Ultimate Marvel Universe have remained completely separate from the characters in any other Marvel Universe.
It makes sense that the Fantastic Four (Ultimate or otherwise) would be the first to "Crossover," as this story arc is titled. The FF are always exploring the universe and all of its related dimensions and alternate realities. In Ultimate Fantastic Four #21, young Reed, while exploring the N-Zone, discovers a way to communicate with an alternate reality version of himself, who will seem very familiar to fans of the original Fantastic Four. While this may sound like a typical Marvel cross-reality team-up in the making, things don't quite go the way Reed, or the readers, expect. The cliffhanger ending will leave you checking your calendar to get the next issue.
Ultimate Fantastic Four #21 is written by Mark Millar, hot off his very succesful work on Marvel Knights Spider-Man and Wolverine. Millar is clearly having a great time playing with some of Marvel's best toys. Even more impressive is the beautiful artwork by Greg Land. Land is well-known for his gorgeously realistic, and often sexy, cover art and his recent work on Phoenix: Endsong. His art here will not disappoint fans, the realism and detail are amazing. Plus, the Torch's flame looks like it could singe your fingers, and Land's Sue Storm is not at all hard on the eyes. (Not that any of us are that shallow. Especially me.)
Anyway, with the fun Fantastic Four movie out, and an exciting new creative team on this book, you really shouldn't pass up Ultimate Fantastic Four #21. UFF is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week, so run out and try it now! If you don't like it, you can get your money back. That is an ultimate, fantastic, and just plain cool, deal.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
R.A. Salvatore-Forgotten Realms, Homeland: The Legend of Drizzt: Book I
When most people think of Elves, they think of those adorable little pink-cheeked scamps from the North Pole. You know, Elves that are two feet tall, have little button noses and delight in making toys for children. How delightfully cute! If that adorable and sweet image is what pops into your head when you think of Elves, you may be in for a shock when you read this week's Book of the Week.
The awkwardly titled R.A. Salvatore-Forgotten Realms, Homeland: The Legend of Drizzt: Book I (henceforth known as Homeland #1) will reveal to you the truth about Elves. Not just any Elves, mind you, but Dark Elves. The Dark Elves are a race of viscious warriors who live deep beneath the surface of the planet in the cavernous city of Menzoberranzan. Menzoberranzan is absolutely nowhere near the North Pole, by the way. These Dark Elves are a cold-hearted, back-stabbing bunch, driven solely by ambition and the desire for power. They do not make toys and wear little green booties. What the Dark Elves DO make are plans to destroy one another and all the weapons they could possibly need to make their schemes happen.
The protagonist of Homeland #1 is Drizzt, the son of a powerful clan Matron. Drizzt was fated to die at birth, but circumstances conspire to save his life. It soon becomes apparent that Drizzt is a bit different from the rest of his people. He is not, by nature, nearly as cruel or heartless as others. He actually smiles once in a while and seems to have thoughts beyond pure ambition. As Drizzt is trained in the ways of combat, it becomes clear that he has the skill to be a great warrior. He may not, however, have what it takes to survive in the loveless world of his birth.
Homeland #1 is based on a novel by fantasy author R.A. Salvatore. For fans of high fantasy and adventure, Salvatore is considered one of the greatest, and most prolific, writers in the field. The adaptation of the novel by Andrew Dabb is very well done, he is clearly treating Salvatore's story with the respect it deserves. The art by Tim Seeley is also excellent. Seeley really captures the dark world of Menzoberranzan and its people.
Once again, the Book of the Week is a comic that both entertains and educates! Never again will you suffer from misconceptions about the cuteness of Elves. This book could save your life, or the life of a loved one, by helping you to remember NOT to invite any Elves into your home next holiday season. These Elves won't settle down just because you offer them milk and cookies. Don't take any chances, pick up Homeland #1 now! It's guaranteed!
The awkwardly titled R.A. Salvatore-Forgotten Realms, Homeland: The Legend of Drizzt: Book I (henceforth known as Homeland #1) will reveal to you the truth about Elves. Not just any Elves, mind you, but Dark Elves. The Dark Elves are a race of viscious warriors who live deep beneath the surface of the planet in the cavernous city of Menzoberranzan. Menzoberranzan is absolutely nowhere near the North Pole, by the way. These Dark Elves are a cold-hearted, back-stabbing bunch, driven solely by ambition and the desire for power. They do not make toys and wear little green booties. What the Dark Elves DO make are plans to destroy one another and all the weapons they could possibly need to make their schemes happen.
The protagonist of Homeland #1 is Drizzt, the son of a powerful clan Matron. Drizzt was fated to die at birth, but circumstances conspire to save his life. It soon becomes apparent that Drizzt is a bit different from the rest of his people. He is not, by nature, nearly as cruel or heartless as others. He actually smiles once in a while and seems to have thoughts beyond pure ambition. As Drizzt is trained in the ways of combat, it becomes clear that he has the skill to be a great warrior. He may not, however, have what it takes to survive in the loveless world of his birth.
Homeland #1 is based on a novel by fantasy author R.A. Salvatore. For fans of high fantasy and adventure, Salvatore is considered one of the greatest, and most prolific, writers in the field. The adaptation of the novel by Andrew Dabb is very well done, he is clearly treating Salvatore's story with the respect it deserves. The art by Tim Seeley is also excellent. Seeley really captures the dark world of Menzoberranzan and its people.
Once again, the Book of the Week is a comic that both entertains and educates! Never again will you suffer from misconceptions about the cuteness of Elves. This book could save your life, or the life of a loved one, by helping you to remember NOT to invite any Elves into your home next holiday season. These Elves won't settle down just because you offer them milk and cookies. Don't take any chances, pick up Homeland #1 now! It's guaranteed!
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