Review - All-New X-Men Volume 4: All-Different

Kitty Pryde and the All-New X-Men have left Wolverine’s Jean Grey School, joining up with Cyclops and his team at the Weapon X facility. They’re given new uniforms and are sent on a mission to rescue a mutant from the religious zealots known as the Purifiers, unaware that they’re saving an old friend of the X-Men.

All-New X-Men Volume 4: All-Different collects All-New X-Men #18-21, written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Stuart Immonen, Brandon Peterson, and Mahmud Asrar. It also features the one-shot X-Men Gold, which features vignettes by Chris Claremont, Stan Lee, Louise Simonson, Roy Thomas, Fabian Nicieza, and more.

This volume picks up after the events of Battle of the Atom. Kitty has thrown her support behind Cyclops, bringing her squad of trainees with her. Jean Grey is more determined than ever to change her future, while her relationships with Cyclops and Beast are somewhat frayed. Amidst this melodrama, the X-Men are tasked with stopping the Purifiers from killing an unknown mutant. This mutant turns out to be Laura Kinney (AKA X-23 AKA future Wolverine). Horrified by what Laura has endured, the X-Men formulate a plan to bring down the Purifiers. This arc is brief, but impactful. Bendis and co. utilize the Purifiers in a way that is just as relevant now as it was when Chris Claremont and Brent Anderson introduced them in God Loves, Man Kills. It even features a callback to that graphic novel. Religious fanatics using scripture to justify their hatred for those who are different than them will always be terrifying (and sadly evergreen), so this is what makes the Purifiers such a gruesome foe for the X-Men. Although, the optics regarding the rhetoric and themes used in this arc are somewhat poor. The Purifiers are clearly based off of real life white supremacist and anti-LGBTQ groups, so having the all-white (mostly straight) All-New X-Men be the focus of their ire seems weird.

Action is definitely at the forefront of this volume, which is a bit of a change of pace from previous ones where a lot of the stories involve the characters standing around talking to one another. Of course, that’s not to say that there isn’t any character work that is done within this arc. We get some touching moments, such as when Kitty and Illyana reunite and when Cyclops consoles Laura after her rescue. In fact, I’m quite fond of the dynamic that Bendis has cooked up between teen Cyclops and Laura. Whether intentional or not, it feels like it’s referencing the popularity of the slash pairing of Cyclops and Logan. It also helps us to see Cyclops as someone who is caring and compassionate, which are traits people don’t usually associate with him. Jean continues to be the focal point in the series, though she’s becoming increasingly more grating due to the continued abuse of her powers. She’s eager to use them however she wishes, which is a problem because she should have consent before doing so. I do, however, appreciate the sequence where Kitty tells Jean not to use her powers on Laura. Overall, it feels like a conversation needs to be had between Kitty and Jean regarding her misuse of her telepathic gifts.

While this collection is overall very engaging and worth reading, there’s no consistency with the artwork due to the absence of series mainstay Stuart Immonen for issues 19-21. Immonen’s artwork is nothing short of spectacular. It’s clean, it’s expressive, and it’s come to really solidify the tone for All-New X-Men. Mahmud Asrar, who provides the opening pencils to issue 20 is an ideal replacement as his work more closely matches Immonen’s. Brandon Peterson, however, provides the bulk of the artwork for this collection. His style is more detailed than Immonen and Asrar’s, but it’s also more basic in that it lacks any kind of uniqueness or flare. It also doesn’t help that the colours provided by Israel Silva are muddy and make it hard to make out what’s going on.

I quite enjoy All-New X-Men as a series and think it’s one of the better entries into the X-Men line of books within the past decade or so. This volume contains much of what makes it so entertaining. It balances humour with drama really well, provides the right mix of action and character work, and features some gorgeous artwork (by Immonen and Asrar). It also features a bonus issue, X-Men Gold, which is full of cute little short stories from various points in the X-Men’s history.

RATING: B

Review: Uncanny X-Men Volume 4 - Vs. S.H.I.E.L.D.

Following a heinous Sentinel strike, the war bubbling between Cyclops’ X-Men and S.H.I.E.L.D. reaches a fever pitch. Unwilling to sit idly by while more mutants are harmed, Cyclops takes the fight to the international spy organization apparently responsible for the Sentinels’ actions. Then, Dazzler is finally freed from captivity at Mystique’s hands. Angry and bitter over what she’s been through, she intends to get revenge on the shapeshifting femme fatale.

Uncanny X-Men Volume 4: Vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. collects Uncanny X-Men #19-24, written by Brian Michael Bendis and with art by Chris Bachalo and Kris Anka.

This collection is typical of Bendis’ ho-hum direction on the X-Men titles during the Marvel Now! initiative. It’s all build up with no pay-off. The X-Men’s conflict against S.H.I.E.L.D. had been simmering since the onset of this title and “Vs. S.H.I.E.L.D.” attempts to resolve that as a four issue arc. After a Sentinel attack, an incensed Cyclops determines to hold S.H.I.E.L.D. responsible for their actions. This leads to a blow out on the front lawn of the Jean Grey School and the discovery of who is truly pulling the strings. The climax is unimpressive and the reveal isn’t terribly shocking, so the arc feels somewhat deflated as a whole. As can be expected from Bendis, there’s a lot of dialogue and some great character moments (there’s a great scene telepathic exchange between Cyclops and Maria Hill, for example). The primary narrative itself just didn’t click for me. Personally, the more interesting story here involves Mystique’s usage of Dazzler as her personal mutant growth hormone factory, but this is relegated to subplot status and is only referenced cursorily in the aftermath.

The “Vs. S.H.I.E.L.D.” arc leads into the tie-in for Original Sin, which is framed as a two-parter named “The Last Will and Testament of Charles Xavier.” In it, She-Hulk obtains Xavier’s will and is responsible for reading it to those named in the contents. Cyclops is hauled back to the Jean Grey School, where several “shocking” revelations are made about Xavier’s past. The quotes are necessary as Bendis seems to be putting in overtime to really try and surprise readers with plot twists. The problem is the twists are unwanted in every possible way. I was rolling my eyes so hard I’m surprised I didn’t catch a glimpse into the back of my brain. Consider this a spoiler warning. The first big plot twist is that Professor Xavier is married to Mystique and so all of his property now belong to her. It’s a really unnecessary development that feels like it’s either a remnant of the Ultimate Universe or was inspired by the First Class trilogy. Either way, it feels out of place and is just plain messy. It’s bad enough that Bendis treats Mystique like she’s the only damn X-Men villain around. The other twist is that there’s this uber powerful mutant that Xavier has kept secret for decades and now the X-Men have to go find him before he destroys everything. It’s a revelation that left me with a feeling of a déjà vu since it seems like a re-packaging of Proteus and Jean Grey.

Uncanny X-Men Volume 4: Vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn’t ever reach its full potential. It’s bogged down by far too much dialogue and exposition, as well as puzzling plot twists. The artwork done by superstars Chris Bachalo and Kris Anka gives the book a premium feel, elevating the quality above what we’re getting on the story front. Though the cast is likeable and the plot elements are interesting enough, Bendis seems to be spending most of his time setting up future plotlines and recycling old ones rather than creating a compelling arc with an explosive climax.

RATING: C

Review: Storm Volume 2 - Bring the Thunder

When Storm is wrongfully detained by the FBI following an attack on an airplane, she must escape and prove her innocence by finding the true culprit. Then, she faces the harrowing task of protecting those she loves most after a disgruntled student from her past returns to enact his revenge on her.

Storm Volume 2: Bring the Thunder collects Storm #6-11, written by Greg Pak and illustrated by Victor Ibañez and Al Barrionuevo.

Taken as a whole, Greg Pak’s Storm tells a full story with a complete and compelling character arc. The series finds Storm at a crossroads in her life, growing bored with the mundane activities that are required of her status as headmistress of the Jean Grey School and feeling uncertain in her role as the leader of the X-Men. What follows is an intimate study of her character and a narrative that sees her finally having some fun after being portrayed in a rather buttoned-up manner. I really enjoy Pak’s writing of Storm as she’s friendlier, more accessible, and more humorous than how most other writers tend to portray her. He also stays true to her mythos and continues to cleverly work in characters and plots that are relevant to her character. For instance, a particularly memorable adventure in this collection sees Storm and Gambit teaming up to steal an artifact from the Temple of Hermes before Gambit’s rival within the Thieves Guild can. It’s a story that acknowledges Storm’s oft-forgotten skills as a thief and makes use of her incredible chemistry with Gambit.

Like the preceding volume, Bring the Thunder is episodic in its structure. Each story is told roughly in three, two, and one issues (respectively), which can feel like filler when not executed correctly. Pak smartly links everything together not only through a consistent main cast, but also through an overall sense of connectedness with the narrative direction. Beyond that, I appreciate that this volume pulls in themes that are relevant to the current societal climate, with a particularly prescient scene occurring on an airplay where Storm is confronted with direct mutantphobia. It’s a jarring reminder of what happens in reality and it’s a sad reminder of how far we have yet to come as a society.

Storm Volume 2: Bring the Thunder is a bittersweet ending to Greg Pak’s Storm run. His take on the character is arguably the strongest since the Christopher Yost-penned X-Men: Worlds Apart mini-series. I like the direction he’s taken with her and appreciate his willingness to emphasize the fact that she’s more than just a superhero. While the issues not illustrated by Ibañez aren’t as consistent, the art is striking regardless. I wish that this title had sold better than it did and that this creative team could have continued onwards with more stories. However, the work they put out stands well on its own and is worth a read.

RATING: B+

Review: Storm Volume 1 - Make It Rain

As an X-Man and headmistress of the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning, Storm must find a balance between being a hero and mentor. From looking for missing children to aiding Forge with a machine that will relieve drought in Kenya, she is determined to make the world a better place on her own terms.

Storm Volume 1: Make It Rain collects Storm #1-5, written by Greg Pak and illustrated by Victor Ibañez.

In this volume, Greg Pak provides an intimate and informed character study of one of the X-Men’s most iconic heroes. There’s affection in the way he writes her, as a confident and competent woman who is also conflicted and flawed. His dialogue is on point and most of the standout moments from this collection occur in exchanges between the characters, especially those between Storm and Beast. Their longstanding friendship is felt in the way they converse with one another and he becomes the anchor for this otherwise episodic volume.

The plot of Make It Rain strays from the typical six issue arc formula used by most other modern superhero comics. Instead Pak takes the titular heroine on a series of adventures that see her travelling the globe in an attempt to be a more proactive force for good. He makes great use out of characters from Storm’s past – Callisto, Forge, and Yukio – as a means of highlighting her legacy and impact on those around her. Where Pak really makes his mark, however, is in the two issues wherein Storm grieves over the death of Wolverine. The opening pages of issue 4 alone are particularly searing as she is taken out of Earth’s atmosphere in order to release the sorrow and anger within her. The storyline that follows where Storm becomes Yukio’s champion in a gladiator ring is cliché, but Storm’s reflections on Wolverine throughout are memorable and poignant.

While Make It Rain is admittedly very light on plot, it is an incredibly well-written examination of Storm and who she is as a woman and as a hero. Pak provides readers with a multi-dimensional view of the character, which should hopefully be enough to convert a reader or two into fans. Victor Ibañez’s art is also a major selling point of this collection. It’s expressive, expansive, and sometimes even visceral. I love the way he draws Storm. He captures her elegance and her beauty without sexualizing her. If anything, this volume is worth a read just to gaze at his artwork. As a major Storm fanboy, Make It Rain gives me almost everything I could ask for – gorgeous art, great dialogue, and nuanced character work – all that’s missing is a higher stakes and more action.

RATING: B+

Review: Uncanny X-Force Volume 2 - Torn and Frayed

When Psylocke is spirited away to rescue Fantomex from Weapon XIII, she is forced to deal with her conflicting feelings towards Fantomex and his clones. Then, X-Force must overcome the darker reflections of themselves in the form of Revenants. With Storm, Psylocke, and Puck out of action, it may be up to Bishop to stop the Revenant Queen before she can reach her endgame.

Uncanny X-Force Volume 2: Torn and Frayed collects Uncanny X-Force #7-12, written by Sam Humphries and illustrated by Adrian Alphona, Dalibor Talajic, and Ramon Perez.

The Psylocke-centric issues that begin this collection are admittedly the most thrilling and engaging. She confronts her past and present as she is taken to Madripoor in order to square things with Fantomex, Cluster, and Weapon XIII. In a series of flashbacks, we see a glimpse of her life when she was entangled in a complicated relationship with Fantomex and Cluster in Paris, dividing her time up equally between pulling off heists and rolling around the sheets with her lover(s). Then, the present day action brings her into conflict with her ex-lover(s) as she must either spare Fantomex’s life or kill him. This arc provides a complex character portrait of everyone’s favourite purple-haired psychic ninja, revealing her to be sexually fluid and unable to give up the thrill that comes from larceny. While the Fantomex clones fail to be more than plot devices, I can at least applaud Humphries for using them in a way that expands Psylocke’s personality and explores her desires more fully. It’s a quaint and nicely contained arc that is somewhat diminished by lackluster art (and colour - seriously why is Psylocke's hair lavender?!) and the fact that it’s a diversion from the main thrust of this series.

The latter three issues of Torn and Frayed return to the narrative of Bishop and the Revenant Queen. Bishop is separated from his allies in a battle against their enemies, leaving Storm, Psylocke, and Puck vulnerable to the emergence of their Revenants. The trio is thus confronted with their deepest desires and worst failures. While I appreciate many of the elements to this storyline, particularly the reveal of who the Revenant Queen is, I’m disappointed by the disjointed way in which it is told and that it’s left as a cliffhanger when collected in trade form. I also find the exploration of the characters’ insecurities to be trite and expected. We’ve already seen these characters acknowledge and rail against their inner demons in other storylines, so it seems a bit clichéd to do so yet again here. It seems to me that it would have been more time effective to actually resolve the Revenant Queen arc and then perhaps move the Fantomex clone arc after it.

It’s clear by Torn and Frayed and its preceding volume that Humphries’ strength is in his depiction of Psylocke. She’s been the most consistently well-written and interesting character in his tenure on Uncanny X-Force, especially during the opening issues here. The rest of this collection could use a little more bite and originality, but it is entertaining anyway. Still, I’d recommend reading Torn and Frayed for the sake of completionism or if you’re a big fan of Psylocke or Bishop. Otherwise, this trade falls on the more disposable end of the X-universe.

RATING: C+

Review: Uncanny X-Force Volume 1 - Let It Bleed

The X-Men Storm and Psylocke team up with the pint-sized Puck to hunt down the sorceress Spiral, who is rumoured to be dealing psychotropic drugs on the west coast. They soon discover that she has become the guardian of a new mutant and has vowed to protect her from the ills of the world – which includes former X-Man Bishop.

Uncanny X-Force Volume 1: Let It Bleed collects Uncanny X-Force #1-6, written by Sam Humphries with art by Adrian Alphona and Ron Garney.

Superficially, Let It Bleed is a meandering story arc that has one too many plotlines. Humphries jumps between narrative threads throughout, which interfere with creating consistent pacing and make it difficult to follow. There’s Spiral and her new charge, the return of Bishop, Storm and Psylocke’s personal life drama, and Fantomex and Cluster’s search for Psylocke. Thankfully, Psylocke acts as the connective tissue between all of these dangling plotlines. She is the nucleus of the story and Humphries makes sure to portray her as the flawed, multi-faceted character that fans know her to be. He also has a clear understanding of her friendship with Storm and this becomes crucial to the overall enjoyment of the series. Their interactions with one another are perhaps the best thing about this collection and ultimately help to emphasize that the X-Men are family and that they genuinely care for one another.

Those hoping that this reboot of Uncanny X-Force is a perfect jumping on point for newer readers are certain to be disappointed, if not entirely lost. Humphries’ narrative is heavily steeped in decades of continuity and is a veritable buffet for hardcore fans. Unfortunately, this means it will leave more casual readers scratching their heads. It’s likely that people won’t understand why Psylocke detests Spiral so much unless they’re familiar with their past and Humphries’ usage of the Demon Bear from the old school New Mutants series only receives a passing reference in explaining what it is. There’s also the likelihood that people won’t be aware of who Puck is, considering the fact that he’s a member of Alpha Flight and hadn’t really been used in anything overly mainstream for quite some time. Finally, there’s the fact that this is the post-Rick Remender relaunch of Uncanny X-Force, so readers will benefit from having some working knowledge of the events from that series as well. As such, Let It Bleed reads as a for-veteran-fans-only style story.

Let It Bleed has its fair share of strengths and weaknesses. Overall, Humphries introduced a lot of interesting elements and is to be commended for crafting a story that is character-driven. He has a very clear understanding of both Psylocke and Storm, writing them quite well throughout. However, this arc also needed more tailoring in order to trim away some of the unnecessary fat that clogs the pacing. Simply put, it often takes too long to get to the point and seems to wander around directionless. In the end, Let It Bleed is an odd mix of being fantastically written on the character front, but weak on the story end of things.

RATING: C+

Review: All-New Captain America Volume 1 - Hydra Ascendant

With a young boy affected by the Terrigen Bomb in their grasp, Hydra intends to use his powers in order to sterilize the human population and allow only themselves to continue forward in the evolutionary chain. It is up to the all-new Captain America and his partner Nomad to prevent their insidious plot from coming to its conclusion.

All-New Captain America Volume 1: Hydra Ascendant collects All-New Captain America #1-6, written by Rick Remender and illustrated by Stuart Immonen.

In Hydra Ascendant, writer Rick Remender does an impeccable job of establishing who Sam Wilson is both as a person and as the new Captain America. He gives an abbreviated look back at Sam’s past through flashbacks and exposition, which is invaluable in making the book accessible to both new and veteran comic book fans. It also clearly illustrates to readers what his motivations are and what being Captain America represents to Sam. In this way, there is a clear sense of history and legacy to the narrative. Remender certainly seems like he’s done his homework and fills these six issues with just about every iconic Captain America villain you can think of. In some ways, it’s reminiscent of Allan Heinberg’s five-issue run on Wonder Woman.

The story itself is very straightforward. Sam Wilson has become Captain America and one of his first assignments in the role is to take down Baron Zemo and his Hydra associates. Their scheme du jour is to sterilize every human on Earth in order to ensure the progression of Hydra’s superior race. Everyone from Sin to Crossbones attempts to prevent Captain America from foiling their plans. It’s a cinematic narrative that is packed full of action and surprising plot twists. On top of that, there is incredible character work that leaves the reader with a clear understanding of the titular hero. In that way, Remender is able to perfectly balance action with character development.

Stuart Immonen’s art is the icing on the cake in this collection. His pencils perfectly compliment Remender’s writing and create a dynamic world for the new Captain America to operate in. He really knows how to set a scene and create stunning panel work. Beyond that, his characters are just absolutely gorgeous. Captain America, Misty Knight and Madame Hydra are particular standouts in this collection. However, I do have some issues with Immonen’s output here. His rendering of Captain America’s wings often looks overly simplified and comes across looking sloppy. He also seems to have a difficult time drawing older characters and some action scenes are a little hard to follow.

All-New Captain America Volume 1: Hydra Ascendant does an excellent job of establishing Sam Wilson as the titular character and reads as a classic-in-the-making. Much ballyhoo was made about Sam taking over the mantle, much of which came across as racist nonsense (and is actually addressed in-story), but Remender proves why it makes sense for him to be Captain America. In fact, he’s arguably more qualified than anyone else to continue on the tradition. He’s been Captain America’s partner for a long time, held a membership within the Avengers for years and has the fortitude of character that is necessary for standing behind that iconic shield. Remender and Immonen work in unison to deliver a near-perfect Captain America story, one which every Marvel fan should check out.

RATING: A-

Review: Thor Volume 1 - The Goddess of Thunder

After Thor is deemed unworthy, his hammer selects a new avatar to carry on his legacy. She is immediately thrust into the ongoing fight against the nefarious Roxxon company, the Dark Elf Malekith and the Frost Giants. She must also contend with Thor’s anger over losing his hammer and the impending storm of Odin’s desperate attempts to overthrow his wife as ruler of Asgardia.

Thor Volume 1: The Goddess of Thunder collects Thor #1-5, written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Russell Dauterman.

The Goddess of Thunder immediately follows the events of Jason Aaron’s critically acclaimed Thor: God of Thunder, carrying over many of its plotlines and themes. Roxxon, along with its CEO Dario Agger, and Malekith remain key figures in this collection. They serve as the primary antagonists for the new Thor and her ability to stand toe-to-toe with them seems to prove that she’s certainly no pushover. In fact, her action sequences are beautifully choreographed by artist Russell Dauterman and show that she’s a little more creative with her powers than the more brawn-minded Thor. In essence, she is to Thor what She-Ra is to He-Man.

Where this series differs from Thor: God of Thunder is the way in which it actively engages with the criticism that was lined up against the debut of a female Thor. Aaron creatively finds a way to make a female Thor work, particularly when examining the theme of unworthiness and the magic surrounding the hammer. Furthermore, he takes aim at the way in which men underestimate and undercut women along with how some fans complain about political correctness “ruining” this, that and the other. The new Thor is treated inferior to the original by her opponents while Freyja is dismissed entirely by her husband as an ineffective leader. In both circumstances, we see that Thor is more than capable of filling the shoes of her predecessor and Freyja is in fact an incredibly successful ruler. As it happens, my favourite scenes in this collection are those that address these specific concerns. There’s a notable exchange between Titania and Thor in which the villainess praises what a female Thor represents, as well as a brief summit Freyja has with the new Thor on the moon.

I found The Goddess of Thunder to be incredibly enjoyable. I’d read Aaron’s preceding series that followed Thor’s exploits and found it satisfactory, though at times it suffered from a dragging pace and meandering narrative. For me, this series breathes new life into the stories that Aaron was telling and brings in new themes that are worthy of exploring within the usually male-dominated world of Thor. I also appreciate that the original Thor wasn’t tossed aside and that his struggles are still being documented alongside those of his successor. To top it all off, Russell Dauterman’s art is absolutely stunning and elevates Aaron’s writing. His work is certainly reminiscent of previous Thor artist Oliver Coipel, whose art I adore. Dauterman’s design work is incredible, particularly on the Thors. Of the female-led material Marvel has published in recent years, Thor Volume 1: The Goddess of Thunder is worthy of gold.

RATING: A-

Review: Ant-Man Volume 1 - Second-Chance Man

With his life on the downturn, Scott Lang finds himself at a crossroads. After turning down an opportunity to work for Tony Stark, Scott moves to Miami to be closer to his daughter. He starts his own business and hopes to stay away from the superhero problems that plagued him before, but when enemies from his past begin resurfacing it becomes clear that he will never lead a semi-normal life.

Ant-Man Volume 1: Second-Chance Man collects Ant-Man #1-5, written by Nick Spencer and illustrated by Ramon Rosanas and Jordan Boyd.

Second-Chance Man is fun and quirky, offering a more slice-of-life perspective on the world of superheroes. The plot is straightforward and focuses on building not only a world for Ant-Man to exist in, but to develop his character seamlessly. Spencer opts to portray Scott as an everyman, thus emphasizing a distinct difference between him and his Ant-Man predecessor Hank Pym. Scott is a guy who has good intentions and wants to make a difference, but somehow things don’t always seem to work out the way he intends them to. He’s extremely likeable and relatable to the point where the reader is constantly rooting for him to succeed. His relationship with his daughter is touching and it helps to ground his character, making him all the more realistic to readers. The dialogue between he and Cassie is on point. It’s playful, funny and energetic – much like the rest of this trade.

I do have a problem this collection’s relative inaccessibility. Spencer relies heavily on Scott Lang’s earliest adventures as well as the continuity built around the character. For the average person familiar with him only through the films, they’re bound to get lost amongst the plethora of references to his past. Everything from his death in Avengers: Disassembled to Cassie’s super abilities get a nod, though curiously Cassie’s adventures with the Young Avengers and the Mighty Avengers get zero mentions. Luckily, the vast majority of the characters and storylines Spencer either includes or builds on were collected in the trade Ant-Man: Scott Lang. Curious readers may want to give that a read before tackling this collection.

Also in the con column is Spencer’s portrayal of Scott’s ex-wife Peggy. I have the same issue with her that I had with Ellen Baker in Grant Morrison’s Animal Man series. She’s largely one-dimensional and comes across as a shrew or as an obstacle for Scott to overcome. It’s not fair to paint wives and ex-wives within this box, as it often denies them the opportunity to be liked and understood by readers.

Ant-Man: Second Chance Man is a breezy read that perfectly sums up Scott Lang’s character and presents it to readers in a way that is both entertaining and relatable. Issues of accessibility and the shrew-ification of Scott’s ex-wife, this collection has a great cast of characters and a lot of creative action. I love the quirky supporting cast Spencer builds for Scott, as well as the emphasis placed on Scott’s role as a father. By the time you reach the final page of this trade, you realize that Scott is a father first and a hero second. It’s touching and unique. That said, don’t expect anything groundbreaking or universe-shattering in Second-Chance Man. It’s cutesy, but also feels a bit like filler.

RATING: B

Review: Mighty Avengers Volume 3: Original Sin – Not Your Father’s Avengers

Back in 1972, a ragtag group of vigilantes battled the ancient Deathwalkers in a campaign to prevent the apocalypse. Decades later, the Deathwalkers are back and they’ve kidnapped the vampire hunter Blade in order to perform a ritual to put an end to humanity. Luke Cage and his Avengers must uncover secrets from the past in order to save the world.

Mighty Avengers Volume 3: Original Sin – Not Your Father’s Avengers collects issues 11-14 of Mighty Avengers, written by Al Ewing and illustrated by Greg Land and Salvador Larroca.

This volume of Mighty Avengers is told through a combination of flashbacks and present day action. The first couple of issues is set primarily in 1972 and details the adventures of a ragtag band of Avengers as they battle the Deathwalkers. These Avengers reveal themselves to the current ones in order to rescue their one-time teammate Blade from their ancient foes. The second half of this arc kicks off with a rather impressive battle against the mystical Deathwalkers.

Despite being a tie-in to Original Sin, it’s clear that the Mighty Avengers’ conflict with the Deathwalkers had been planned for quite some time. The seeds of this arc had been planted in the first volume and began to grow towards the end of the second. Ewing does a great job fleshing out the ‘70s-set characters in the flashbacks, giving each one a distinctive tone and purpose. Unfortunately, Ewing seems to drop his present-day characters in the process. Spectrum and co. are all but relegated to bit-parts, utilized only marginally in the final fight against the Deathwalkers. This is especially unsatisfying considering how short this arc is (a measly four issues).

Land returns as the primary artist for the first two issues, while Salvador Larroca hops on board for the last two. Neither artist impresses me much. Land continues to offer his familiar style of “realistic” faces and unrealistic body proportions to readers. If I’m being fair, Land does do some decent work here. The male characters look pretty great and the character of Constance Molina doesn’t suffer from his dubious porn face syndrome. Still, there’s a rather deplorable shot of the Bear – a blond-haired female member of the ‘70s Mighty Avengers – where her waist looks to be about ten inches and her breasts a whopping E-cup. Larroca’s art, however, is far worse than Land’s. It’s rough and portrays the characters in a rather harsh light. The musculature of the women is rather disturbing and the faces of just about everyone look overly aggressive. Though Larroca was one a promising artist circa 2001 when he was on X-Treme X-Men, his work since then has been lacking in quality and consistency.

Despite being a relatively fun read, Mighty Avengers Volume 3: Original Sin – Not Your Father’s Avengers lacks the qualities of a good concluding arc for a series. Ewing loses his way early on, largely due to the flashbacks, and never quite manages to pull the focus back to the characters he’d spent 10 issues developing. To make matters worse, the art is inconsistent and often cringe-worthy. There still is quite a bit to like – such as the inclusion of Blade in the cast, the expansion of Power Man’s abilities and the mystical unification of the Avengers that helps defeat the Deathwalkers – but ultimately Ewing failed to pace out his arc well enough. The flashback sequences should have been shortened and the focus should have swung back to the present Mighty Avengers, returning the spotlight to Blue Marvel, Luke Cage et al. Thankfully, Ewing was given the chance to continue his work with Captain America and the Mighty Avengers and The Ultimates.

RATING: C+ 

Review: Mighty Avengers Volume 2 - Family Bonding

While Luke Cage and Jessica Jones are busy moving into their new apartment, the Falcon stumbles upon a criminal operation run by Gideon Mace. Mace was responsible for murdering fellow Avenger White Tiger’s family and this discovery leads to her pursuit of bloody vengeance against the crime boss. Then, Spectrum and She-Hulk accompany Blue Marvel on a mission to prevent a mad scientist from opening an interdimensional portal on Earth.

Mighty Avengers Volume 2: Family Bonding collects Mighty Avengers #6-10, written by Al Ewing and illustrated by Valerio Schiti.

Family Bonding is comprised of three mini-arcs that build upon the mythos of the characters on the Mighty Avengers. The first deals with White Tiger’s hunt for Gideon Mace. She willingly gives herself over to the tiger spirit and this puts her in direct conflict with her teammates, which ultimately leads to a knock-down drag-out between them. The second features Blue Marvel facing off against his youngest son – now a supervillain – as he attempts to open a portal that could lead to dire consequences for Earth. The collection then concludes with the reveal of who Ronin is and why the beings known as Deathwalkers are after him.

As with the first volume of Mighty Avengers, writer Al Ewing proves himself to be capable of creating strong character-driven storylines that help readers to relate to the book’s heroes. Blue Marvel is a particular standout. He’s arguably the most prominent character in Family Bonding and Ewing works hard to develop his character in a way that makes him accessible to the reader. This is great considering he’s the most obscure member of the team. However, what is most impressive about Ewing’s work here is that he’s able to portray the Mighty Avengers as a family. This dynamic is reminiscent of the X-Men in their Claremont-penned heyday. It’s a refreshing change of pace from the usual Avengers fare, which tends to represent its characters more as individuals in a slightly dysfunctional dynamic. Of course, it also helps that the conflicts present in this collection are personal. The fact that White Tiger is pursuing vengeance and Blue Marvel is fighting against his own son heightens the stakes and makes the book feel that much more intimate.

In my review for the first volume in this series, I took issue with the choice of Greg Land as the lead penciller. I was pleasantly surprised to see that his art was relegated to only a couple issues, while Valerio Schiti provided the art for the bulk of this collection. Schiti’s work is leaps and bounds superior to Land’s. His proportions are far more flattering, while his facial work is like an interesting mix of Cliff Chiang with Phil Jimenez (if that’s even imaginable). His art is dynamic, colourful and of the quality that Ewing’s writing demands. That said, it’s a shame that Schiti only penciled three issues of Mighty Avengers. He should have been responsible for the art of the entire series.

Mighty Avengers Volume 2: Family Bonding is a satisfying read sure to please its audience. The characters are multi-dimensional, the action is incredible and the majority of the art is absolutely gorgeous.

RATING: B

Review: Mighty Avengers Volume 1 - No Single Hero

While the Avengers are off-world, Thanos sends one of his generals – Proxima Midnight – to conquer Earth. Though Proxima expects an easy victory, she soon finds opposition in the form of Luke Cage and his Heroes for Hire. With help from heavyweights like Spectrum and the Superior Spider-Man, these heroes prove that Proxima has her work cut out for her.

Mighty Avengers Volume 1: No Single Hero collects Mighty Avengers #1-5, written by Al Ewing and illustrated by Greg Land.

There have been many Avengers spin-offs since Marvel unleashed their cinematic universe onto the world, but none have been as inclusive or as dynamic as Ewing and Land’s Mighty Avengers. With a roster consisting of Luke Cage, White Tiger, Power Man, Spider-Man and Spectrum (my personal favourite), Ewing delivers an incredibly powerful iteration of the Avengers and immediately sets to work proving just how badass they are. He does so by setting up a threat that proves their worth, mirroring the beloved Avengers movie by having our heroes face off against an alien menace. He treats the characters seriously and never once underestimates their strengths, which is refreshing particularly considering his cast is comprised of characters that are all too often relegated to the background (save Spider-Man, of course). I’m especially glad to see Spectrum treated as the most powerful member of the group and that her leadership experience is recognized. Ewing also writes in a rather clever Janet Jackson reference when he refers to Spectrum, framing her even more in the narrative as worthy of being acknowledged as the fierce diva that she truly is.

Despite a few hiccups here and there, Mighty Avengers is a relatively accessible title that emphasizes dialogue and action over continuity. The narrative does owe a lot to both the “Infinity” and “Inhumanity” crossovers, which is a given considering the title is a tie-in to both. As such, readers will be required to have at least a working knowledge of these events in order to fully grasp the references made. Regardless, Ewing does a fantastic job providing action that is easy to follow and engages with the audience. The battle against Shuma Gorath is pretty snazzy, while the brawl between Spider-Man and both Luke Cage and Jessica Jones is rather amusing. Furthermore, Ewing is able to capture the distinctive tones of his characters. From Spider-Man’s arrogance to Jessica Jones’ trucker mouth, the dialogue really runs the gamut to provide the book with a wide range of voices.

The weakest link in Mighty Avengers is its artist Greg Land. Often reviled within the comic book fandom for his tendency to sexualize women’s facial expressions (and bodies) and the rumored likelihood of his work being traced, Land is a controversial choice for any title. His art is naturally very glossy and attempts realism, though his porn-like proportions gives his work a less mainstream appearance. This undermines Ewing’s clear attempt to legitimize his band of Avengers.

Mighty Avengers Vol. 1: No Single Hero is a refreshing and endlessly entertaining start to one of Marvel’s more original spin-off offerings of their iconic super team. With its incredible cast and nonstop action, it’s a title that offers readers an opportunity to become invested in this team and to keep them wanting more.

RATING: B+